Dr Sudarsan Tamang is not your typical scientist. A nanotechnology researcher by training, a community builder by heart, and a record-breaking runner by spirit, Dr. Tamang blends science, activism, and art into one seamless, purpose-driven life. Recognised as a Youth Icon by the Election Commission of India and founder of Project Life, his work came into national focus during the Teesta flash floods in 2023 where he led from the front—literally. His story reminds us: the most meaningful breakthroughs don’t just happen in labs or on podiums, but on the long, uphill paths we choose to take for others. Dr Tamang, recognized as a Youth Icon by the Election Commission of India, he is the founder of Project Life, promoting healthy living and community support—most notably during the 2023 Teesta flash floods. He is a nanotechnology scientist from Darjeeling, combines science, social impact, and the arts.A passionate long-distance runner, he has won the Darjeeling Police 10K (2022) and Tata Steel Kolkata 10K (2023), and placed second in the Ageas Federal Kolkata Half Marathon (2021). He holds a spot in the India Book of Records for running 185 km from Gangtok to Gurudongmar at 17,800 feet, and completed the K2G ultra-run from Kolkata to Gangtok. Also a prolific songwriter, Sudarsan has penned over 60 songs for Indo-Nepali rock bands. 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

Lloyd Lindley Jr. confronts an uncomfortable truth: our education system, in its current form, is rigged. Not just against students, but against entire communities. Education has long been touted as the great equalizer, but how can it be, when some children enter school with every possible advantage, and others enter with none? When two schools, just miles apart, are worlds apart in opportunity, what does that say about the fairness of our system?This issue matters because it is a ticking time bomb. The future of our economy, society, and democracy is being shaped in classrooms where equity is often an afterthought. Students in underfunded schools—most of whom are Black, Brown, and low-income—are systematically denied the tools they need to succeed, not because they lack the potential, but because the system is designed to fail them. If we do not address this now, we are perpetuating cycles of inequality that will echo for generations. This isn’t just an issue we can discuss; it’s one we must solve. Now. Lloyd Lindley Jr. is a nonprofit leader and PhD student in Educational Leadership committed to dismantling the systemic inequities baked into public education. A member of The PhD Project and recipient of the Alpha Kappa Alpha South Region Community Leader Award, Lloyd speaks from both lived experience and scholarly insight. Raised in an under-resourced community, Lloyd has seen how the zip code you’re born into can determine your educational outcomes. He’s mentored students who couldn’t read, who lacked even the basics, and who were left behind by a system that was never built for them. His TEDx talk, “The Education System is Rigged,” is a call to action—for equity, for justice, and for rebuilding a system that works for every child. Attendees can expect to walk away inspired to take action, armed with both data and heart-centered insight to advocate for real, systemic change. 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

Many of us grew up hearing the phrase "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." The saying, which dates back to the 1800s, was primarily taught to children as a means to defend and respond to inevitable verbal attacks. Fast forward to today, we know two things: 1) Broken bones tend to heal, and 2) words do hurt, diminish, and often influence how certain individuals or groups are perceived.Valois J. Vera, Disabled Poet, Author, and Cultural Worker, shares his vast experience and knowledge on the impact of language; specifically, how language can stamp stigmas and stereotypes on both the individual self as well as the global community of Disabled people.How does language reflect and promote views of ableism? How has the vocabulary of disability evolved? How does language impact access? These primary questions are explored through the vehicles of poetry, personal anecdotes, and professional experiences. Valois J. Vera is an award winning Poet, Author, and Cultural Worker based out of so-called Denton, TX. His work in uplifting and amplifying Disabled culture and community, serving on several prominent boards and commissions, and facilitating workshops, roundtable discussions, and has served as guest lecturer at a variety of colleges and universities. While his journalism work can be found in New Mobility Magazine, Latino Rebels, and Rooted in Rights, his poetry published by Spoonie Press, Mollyhouse, and American Graveyard: Calls to end Gun Violence, Vol.I, and other collections. He is Founder of Thunder and Lightning Poetry Collective, to amplifying and uplifting Disabled BIPOC and Disabled Queer Poets. His impact as a Disabled artivist garnered him the 2023 Art Spark Texas Lynn Marie Johnson Media Arts Award and the 2024 AAPD Paul G Hearne Emerging Leader Award. Valois is a former competitive sailor, youth softball coach, and finalist in the Noble Elementary 3rd grade spelling bee. 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

모두가 꿈꾸는 대기업에 입사했지만, 오솔 작가는 과감히 그 길을 멈추고 어린 시절의 꿈이었던 만화가로 전향했습니다. 그의 인생은 ‘멈춤’에서 다시 시작되었고, 이제 그는 인스타툰 작가로서 많은 청년들에게 용기와 위로를 전하고 있습니다. 이 강연은 끊임없이 달려야 한다는 사회의 압박 속에서, ‘멈춤’이라는 선택이 결코 도망이 아님을, 오히려 진짜 나를 찾기 위한 시작점이 될 수 있음을 보여줍니다. 지금 당신에게도 잠깐의 멈춤이 필요한 순간이라면, 이 강연이 당신의 출발점이 될 것입니다. Although he joined a large company that everyone dreamed of, Osol boldly stopped his career and turned into a cartoonist that he dreamed of as a child. His life began again with "Stop," and now he is delivering courage and comfort to many young people as an instatoon writer. This lecture shows that the choice of "stop" is never a flight under the pressure of society to run constantly, but rather a starting point for finding who you really are. Now, if you need a little pause, this lecture will be your starting point. 2023.05~ 오솔스월드(@osolsworld) 인스타툰 연재 2024.10~ 메타코미디 소속 유튜브 크리에이터 작가 카카오톡, 문화체육관광부 등 유명 기업 및 정부와 협업 콘텐츠 협업 진행 YTN, 더피알 등 언론사 인터뷰 진행 MIT 경영 대학, ‘한국문화콘텐츠 산업 관련 연구(가제)’ 협업 진행 중 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

Be Comfortable with Failing is a bold reminder that failure is not the end but part of the process. In this TEDx talk, Syafi Halim, an award-winning filmmaker and founder of New Wave Films, shares his journey from making YouTube videos in Brunei to co-directing a National Geographic funded project. His story proves that failure isn’t something to hide, it’s something to embrace.Through honesty and humour, Syafi explains why showing your low points can be just as powerful as highlighting your wins. From missing out on A-level success to creating Brunei’s first zombie series "Kitani" and animated show "Kampung Buah". This talk challenges the fear of judgment and the myth of perfection. If you’ve ever worried about looking “cringe” or failing in front of others, Syafi's message is simple: take the risk, fail forward, and keep creating.The theme of TEDxAnggerek Desa Youth talks, Brave Beginnings and the Space Between celebrates the courage it takes to start something new and the often overlooked but powerful journey that happens in between. Whether it’s launching a business, healing from failure, a pivot in career, or simply daring to take the route less taken, every meaningful change starts with a first step. The beginning is rarely perfect but it is brave. Syafi Halim is an award-winning film director who stands as a creative force, excelling in roles such as a producer, screenwriter and director. As the founder of New Wave Films, his production company has earned acclaim with several prestigious local and international film awards since their beginnings in 2019.Syafi began his career as a Youtuber but now is renowned for his unwavering dedication to the local film industry, where he consistently weaves authentic storylines with innovative cinematic techniques, captivating audiences and leaving an indelible mark on the world of filmmaking in Brunei. 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

We’re taught that walking away is weakness—that quitting means failure. But lawyer-turned-author Vasvi Tiwari challenges that myth, revealing how stepping back can be an act of profound alignment. In this honest and uplifting talk, she shares her own leap from a prestigious legal career into the uncertain world of writing, showing how discomfort can be the first whisper of your soul calling you to something truer. With her six-step “compass” for recognizing when restlessness is really awakening, Vasvi invites us to reframe letting go—not as abandoning life, but as finally refusing to abandon ourselves. Sometimes, the bravest move isn’t holding on—it’s daring to step into the unknown. Vasvi Tiwari is a distinguished lawyer and published author with over a decade of experience in the legal field. Known for her sharp legal acumen and eloquent storytelling, she has authored two impactful books that reflect her deep understanding of society and justice. A passionate traveler and lifelong reader, Vasvi’s journey into writing began early, blending her love for words with her dedication to law. She continues to inspire through her voice on justice, gender, and the human experience. 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