To persevere means overcoming a childhood marked by hardship, isolation, or identity struggles. It’s about transforming personal traumas into growth—completing education, pursuing artistic passions, and building a career in challenging environments. It’s resilience in a society where homophobia, misogyny, and neglect of culture and mental health are daily realities. Istvan Teglas is a Romanian actor at the National Theatre in Bucharest, with a diverse career in theatre, contemporary dance, and film. He has performed in numerous stage productions and international dance projects, and appeared in acclaimed films recognized at major festivals. His work has earned him awards for both supporting and leading roles. 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

You can easily recognize a fragile system: it has rigid rules, reacts slowly, and collapses noisily. But the strongest structures are invisible. They are made of people who connect, not rules that are imposed. From conversations, not commands. From courage, not status. That is where lasting change is born. Cristina Chiriac is a leading voice in Romanian female entrepreneurship, blending strategic vision with authentic leadership. Founder of Flori de IE, she transforms traditional Romanian craftsmanship into a symbol of cultural diplomacy and sustainability. As president of CONAF, she drives initiatives that empower women entrepreneurs and refugees, while also contributing as a European VET Ambassador and author of influential business books. 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