In this TEDx talk, Manuel explores how the phrase “I am” shapes personal identity and drives innovation. Through powerful storytelling—from debate competitions to leadership roles—he reveals how self-declaration precedes achievement. Drawing on personal experience, the speech argues that true innovation begins within. It’s not technology that defines the future, but the courage to choose who we are. “I am” becomes both compass and key to unlocking human potential. Manuel is a dynamic young leader whose voice is already shaping the future. As the Headboy of Grange School and a member of the COBIS Student Representative Council, he exemplifies integrity, initiative, and the power of youth-driven change. His passion for leadership is matched by his love for numbers. Maths and Economics being his favorite subjects, reflecting a sharp analytical mind and a curiosity about how systems work.A natural communicator, Manuel was recognized as a STAR speaker in the Debate Mate competition, where his eloquence and critical thinking stood out. His commitment to community and collaboration earned him the Model for Community award at the prestigious Global Scholars Programme hosted by the African Leadership Academy. He also received the Best Team Player award at the Project Summit Leadership Event in South Africa, highlighting his ability to inspire and uplift those around him. 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

[SK] Ako sa vyrovnať so zmenami, ktoré nás zrazia na kolená? Psychológ Dušan Ondrušek je presvedčený, že odolnosť sa niekedy ukazuje v schopnosti byť zraniteľní, tvoriť v chaose a zdieľať bolesť s ostatnými. Práve v tom je naša sila.[EN] How do we deal with changes that knock us down? Psychologist Dušan Ondrušek believes resilience often means being vulnerable, speaking in chaos, and sharing pain with others. That’s our strength. [SK] Psychológ Dušan Ondrušek verí, že konflikty sa môžu končiť nenásilne a teší sa v momentoch, keď sa to darí. Založil organizáciu PDCS (Partners for Democratic Change Slovakia), ktorá sa venuje podpore dialógu a hľadaniu alternatívnych spôsobov riešenia konfliktov, najmä komunitných a verejných. Pôsobil ako facilitátor a tréner osobnej odolnosti vo viac ako štyridsiatich krajinách. Venuje sa transformácii hodnotových a medzikultúrnych konfliktov.[EN] Psychologist Dušan Ondrušek believes that conflicts can end without violence, and he enjoys the moments when it works out. He founded the organization PDCS (Partners for Democratic Change Slovakia), which focuses on supporting dialogue and finding alternative ways to solve conflicts, especially in communities and public spaces. He has worked as a facilitator and personal resilience trainer in more than 40 countries. He focuses on transforming value-based and intercultural conflicts. 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

I once spent seventy hours hiking through relentless rain, exhausted and unsure why I was even there. But in that still, rainy moment, I realized the most meaningful parts of life don’t come in dramatic peaks—they happen quietly, in the rhythm of the ordinary. This talk is about noticing the sacred in the steps we often overlook. Sophie Shi is an 11th-grade student at BIBA. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball, engaging in debates, visiting museums, and traveling. At BIBA, she serves her school community as the Student Council President and the Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper. Sophie chose to join TEDx because she believes that many people, especially young individuals, feel pressured to constantly move faster, achieve more, and seek clear, measurable success. However, she recognizes that life doesn’t always unfold in neat milestones. Her passion for TEDx stems from a desire to give voice to the beauty that exists outside of achievement, emphasizing the importance of finding meaning not as something to conquer, but as something to experience. She hopes to inspire others to move with the rhythm of life rather than against it. 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

Viruses rely on social interactions for their most fundamental biological processes: reproduction and survival. This dependence means that viruses, just like other life forms, experience the evolutionary forces of cooperation and conflict. However, for viruses, these forces manifest at the molecular level. By exploring the social lives of viruses, we uncover a hidden world of viral diversity and unlock new tools to combat future pandemics.Asher is an incoming assistant professor of evolutionary biology at the University of British Columbia who studies social evolution in viruses. Viruses are intrinsically social organisms; every aspect of the viral lifecycle can be influenced by social interactions, from replication within a cell to transmission between hosts. He uses social evolution theory to understand how these interactions evolve and to predict their clinical consequences.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

In this TEDx talk, Anagha brings us through the neuroscience of growth in adolescents and how heightened neuroplasticity allows teens to intentionally shape who they become through focus, habits, and positive environments. Speaker of The Neuroscience of Potential 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

In this thought-provoking talk, Jaspreet Kaur challenges conventional ideas about education and success. Drawing from personal insights, everyday humor, and real-life examples, she highlights that while degrees open doors, true learning comes from perseverance, adaptability, and the ability to learn from everyone and everything around us. With powerful analogies and stories, she emphasizes that humans are limitless—we can reinvent ourselves, unlearn, and grow at every stage. The message is simple yet profound: success is personal, learning is lifelong, and we hold the power to shape our own journey. An educationist and filmmaker, she serves as Director educational conglomerates and is the founder of a dynamic production house that creates films, documentaries, interactive television, and digital content. A Computer Science Engineer and VFX & Animation expert, she nurtured her passion for storytelling by pursuing filmmaking at the prestigious Vancouver Film School, Canada. With a progressive leadership style, she focuses on empowering educators, fostering student-centric initiatives, and driving innovation across academic and medical institutions, positioning the Group as a hub of creativity, opportunity, and growth. As an educationist, she is deeply committed to creating environments where learning is engaging, inclusive, and future-ready. 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