Frederick Lalu was a Youth Speaker at TEDxEspoo Youth 2025!What does it really mean to belong? In this TEDx Talk, Frederick Lalu takes the audience on a journey through his own experience trying to find his place in a new country. It is a story about complexities of fighting in, societal expectations, and understanding the struggle to belong is something we all experience - no matter where we come from or where we end up.The Talk starts off with Frederick’s reflection on the small yet uncomfortable moments when we feel like we don't belong, like walking into the wrong classroom or feeling like an outsider. For Frederick, this feeling of “not belonging” grew even stronger when he moved to Finland, they faced a whole new set of challenges, from language barriers to cultural differences. Despite the effort he put in - learning the language, paying taxes, and following all the social rules - the feeling of being an “outsider” remained.This Talk is about the universal human experience of wanting to be seen, accepted, and included. Frederick shares his struggles with fitting in, from mimicking local behaviors to joining different groups in an attempt to find “his people”. But he soon came to the realization that it is not about erasing who you are to fit a mold - it is about finding spaces that allow you to bring your differences, your true self, and still feel valued Fitting in is not just about trying harder or changing yourself - it requires others to meet you halfway. Whether it's a society as a whole or a small group of friends, belonging requires more than just effort from one side. This is about something that touches all of us at different points in our lives.Frederick encourages all of us to look at our biases, recognize the invisible lines that divide us, and choose to make space for difference. In a world where it is easy to judge based on appearances or preconceived notions, the talk reminds us that fitting in should never mean disappearing, and true belonging takes effort from everyone involved.At the end of Frederick’s Talks he says: “We will all never fit perfectly in a group. And that is okay. But we can build communities that make space for these differences, and we can start expecting people to erase themselves just to be acceptable. We can choose to understand when it's uncomfortable, because fitting in should never mean disappearing, and belonging in should never be just an effort from one side.”This is a reminder that we all have a role in creating inclusive spaces where difference is celebrated, not erased.#TEDxEspooYouth #TEDxTalk #TEDxEspooYouth2025 Frederick Lalu is currently studying at University of Helsinki. Apart from his studies, he is currently a Board Member at the National Committee of European Youth Parliament Finland – EYP Finland ry an independent youth organization dedicated to empowering young Europeans through European Parliament simulations and promoting active citizenship. Frederick has been an active member in many other youth organizations for the last four years. 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

What if failure isn’t the end, but the beginning of growth? In this inspiring talk, Leah Gaber explores how setbacks can serve as powerful learning experiences that build resilience and drive future success. Through personal insight and reflection, she reframes failure as a necessary step on the path to achievement. Her message encourages us to embrace challenges as opportunities in disguise. Leah Gaber is a junior at Saddle River Day School, where she has been a student for three years. She enjoys staying active, cooking, and exploring new places. This is her first TEDx talk, and she has worked with her faculty mentor, Mr. Rodriguez, to prepare. Her talk, Learning through Failure: Using Setbacks as Success, explores how setbacks build resilience and pave the way to success. 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

Environmental damage isn’t just an ecological issue—it’s a growing public health crisis. In this policy-focused talk, Maya Kalender explores how chemical toxins and environmental dysregulation are endangering our waterways and our well-being. Drawing on years of research and advocacy, she makes the case for stronger regulations and more informed public action. Her talk challenges us to see environmental protection as essential to human health. Maya Kalender is a high school senior passionate about Science Research and environmental protection. Over the past few years, she has learned about the significant damage chemical toxins have done to our waterways, empowering her to take action. Maya has previously done two TED talks, both centered around environmental issues. In this talk, which she developed with her advisor, Joseph McMenamin she takes a policy-centered approach. She will speak about the public health crisis that has erupted due to environmental dysregulation. 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

Meet Zohor El Amrani ! ??In her TEDxUIR talk, « From a Word to a Thought: The Ripple Effect of Motivation, » she’ll explore how a simple word can turn into a powerful thought, sparking change and motivation that can ripple through every aspect of our lives. ?✨Get ready to unlock the secrets of personal growth and discover how motivation can truly transform your world. As the Founder of Centre Elam, a hypnotherapist, author, and public speaker, Zohor El Amrani believes in the transformative power of words and thoughts. 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

Our oceans are in trouble—and it’s the fish who are paying the price. In this urgent talk, Noah Popowitz explores the many ways marine life is being harmed by human activity, from pollution to habitat destruction. With a deep love for sea life, he calls attention to the ripple effects of our actions. His message is a powerful reminder that protecting our oceans starts with awareness and collective responsibility. Noah Popowitz is currently a freshman in his second year at SRDS and he is excited to be giving his first TEDx Talk. He has been working so hard with his advisor, Mr. Holland creating this talk. He enjoys many things like acting, writing, skiing, swimming, and has always had a love for sea life and animals. He will be talking about how fish are being harmed in various ways, ultimately due to our actions, and how we need to come together to prevent anything worse in the future. 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

O poeta indígena Tiago Hakiy nos mostra que a poesia da Amazônia não está em versos e estrofes. A Floresta Amazônica é pura poesia, visual e sonora. A cultura dos povos indígenas é fruto da oralidade que passa de geração em geração. Tiago nos demonstra isso contando o Mito da Origem da Noite, uma linda história que tem sido contada pelos mais velhos há gerações ao redor de fogueiras. Deleite-se você também com a riqueza cultural dessa história contada por Tiago Hakiy no palco do TEDxAmazônia. Nascido às margens do Rio Andirá, no coração da Amazônia, Tiago Hakiy é um poeta e escritor que encanta com a beleza e a riqueza da cultura indígena. Com 20 obras publicadas, ele transforma a floresta em versos, compartilhando histórias ancestrais e a magia da natureza. Formado em Biblioteconomia, Tiago dedica sua vida a levar a literatura indígena para além da floresta, participando de diversos eventos literários e projetos culturais. Sua voz, que ecoa a beleza da Amazônia, já conquistou leitores de todo o Brasil e o mundo, sendo reconhecida com prêmios como o Tamoios, o Slam Coalkan e o tradicional Prêmio Jabuti, com a obra coletiva "Apytama: floresta de histórias". 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