Why Civic Education is Key to Saving Democracy | Shreya Raman | TEDxSouth Delaware Street Youth
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
More from TED
- 15:17Hayatımı kalbimle yaşıyor, tutkularımla çiziyorum | İsmail Tuncer Değim | TEDxAtaturkUniversity“Küçükken oyunlarımda konuşmalar yapardım, büyüyünce akademisyen oldum.” İsmail Tuncer Değim, hayat yolculuğunda tutkuyla çalışmanın önemini kendi hikâyesi üzerinden anlatıyor. Yorulduğunda dinlenmek yerine başka bir işe koyulduğunu söylüyor. Ona göre, bir işi güzel yaparsanız mutlaka birini etkilersiniz.Bir iş ne kadar yürekle yapılırsa, hayat da o emeğe göre şekillenir. Ancak önemli bir denge vardır: “Çok çalışan kazanır ama dinlenmesini bilmeyen çalışmasını da bilmez.”Sevgi, başarıda temel taşlardan biridir. Bir şeyi severek yaptığınızda hayat mutlaka karşılığını verir. Yeterince istenen bir hedef, belki herkese değil ama mutlaka birilerine dokunur.Mesajı net: Bir şeyleri başarmak istiyorsanız önce sevin, sonra yürekle çalışın. Çünkü hayat, sevgiyle yapılan işin ödülünü er ya da geç verir. Prof. Dr. İsmail Tuncer Değim graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Pharmacy in 1985, earned his MSc from Gazi University in 1988, and completed his PhD at Cardiff University, UK in 1996. He became a Professor at Gazi University in 2009 and served as Dean (2012–2016). Since 2016, he has been at Biruni University. He has over 55 national and international publications, book chapters, and has served on editorial and advisory boards of several scientific journals. He supervised 11 MSc/PhD theses and contributed to 16 TÜBİTAK/BAP projects. He holds patents on iontophoresis-based blood urea measurement, electrohemodialysis cartridges, and extended-release tablets. He received the Novartis publication award (2005) and Mustafa Nevzat Pharmacy Award (2012). His research focuses on controlled release systems, iontophoresis, dermal drug delivery, pharmaceutical formulations, nanotechnology, and aerospace pharmacy. 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
- 15:20How Motherhood Broke Me | Nishma Karim | TEDxMissionThey say motherhood is the most beautiful chapter of a woman’s life, but for me, it broke me wide open. I found myself drowning in postpartum depression, feeling ugly, unworthy, and painfully lost… but what I didn’t know then was that in breaking, I was being invited to rise. Nishma Karim is an international bestselling author, holistic nutritionist, certified personal trainer, dynamic podcaster, and the proud CEO of Be Light to Raise Light, a global platform dedicated to uplifting and amplifying the voices of mothers. Through her books, stage talks, and global collaborations, she co-authors transformative stories with moms around the world, empowering them to rise, share their light, and inspire others to become the best version of themselves. Her work is rooted in connection, healing, and the belief that when one mother rises, we all rise. 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
