What happens when a generation inherits democracy, but never learns how it works? In this talk, Shreya Raman tackles one of the most overlooked crises in America today: the decline of civic education. Despite being the most connected and outspoken generation in history, young people are graduating without the knowledge or tools to truly participate in government. They care about climate change, racial justice, and human rights, but too often lack the civic roadmap to turn passion into policy. The result is a dangerous gap: a generation engaged with issues, but vulnerable to misinformation, manipulation, and polarization. Through compelling stories, research, and personal experience, Shreya Raman shows how civic education can change that. This talk demonstrates how teaching civics builds habits of voting, advocacy, and accountability that strengthen democracy itself. Civic education is about giving every young person the skills to navigate power, debate respectfully, and create real change. Because democracy doesn’t protect itself. We do. And it all starts in the classroom. Shreya Raman is a junior at BASIS Ahwatukee here in Arizona. In school, she is the captain of Speech and Debate, a member of mock trial, and the President of theater. Outside of school, she is very involved in public policy and civics, and mainly focuses on education policy reform and civic education. Currently, she is a part of many youth initiatives across the state, such as the Governor’s Youth Commission, the Arizona State Board of Education Student Advisory Council, and the Charter School Student Board. On the policy side, she is on the executive board for the Arizona High School Democrats, and has worked at many congressional offices, such as being the social media director for Brandy Reese’s state house campaign, and most recently a community ambassador for Congresswoman Ansari. In the future she hopes to pursue a degree in public policy and international relations, and go to law school for constitutional law. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx