What if the plastic problem could fund jobs, power communities, and fight climate change, all at once?In this insightful talk, systems engineer and technologist Ethar Alali rethinks our approach to plastic waste. Drawing parallels to the early Internet, he proposes a bold new model: circular microeconomies that are decentralised, community led clusters that transform waste into value with technology and local insight. The result? Lower emissions, stronger communities, and scalable environmental resilience. This isn’t science fiction. It’s already happening and it might just be the plastic silver bullet we’ve been looking for. Ethar Alali, a seasoned technologist, mathematician, and serial entrepreneur, is on a mission to answer that question. As the founder of ReallyRecycle, a sustainability driven venture that redefines clean tech, Ethar is building decentralised solutions to address one of the planet's most pressing challenges: plastic waste. With a no-nonsense respect for science and a fearless disregard for tradition, Ethar has dedicated his career to transformative innovation. His expertise spans social accounting, helical economy design, and engineering decentralised care equipment factories.At TEDxLancasterU, he’ll unveil how small-scale, sustainable economic models can be the key to reducing plastic waste while empowering communities worldwide.What does “true sustainability” look like, and why isn’t B Corp certification enough? Ethar’s thought-provoking insights are set to challenge conventions and inspire 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
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- 12:50Museums must give back what they stole — here’s why | Dorota Blumczynska | TEDxWinnipegWhat does it mean to hold stolen history? Museum CEO Dorota delivers a powerful call for accountability and transformation within the cultural sector. Drawing from her experience at the Manitoba Museum, she exposes the legacy of colonialism that still lives in museum vaults—through artifacts taken without consent, displayed without context, and separated from the communities they belong to.With clarity and conviction, Dorota urges institutions to go beyond symbolic gestures: to return sacred objects, share authority with Indigenous communities, and become true allies in truth and reconciliation. This talk invites us to reimagine museums not as neutral spaces, but as platforms for justice, healing, and co-creation. Dorota Blumczynska, CEO of the Manitoba Museum and Vice-President of the Canadian Museums Association, advocates for museums as spaces of truth, reconciliation, and social justice. She shares her vision for transforming museums to foster healing and understanding. 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
- 15:53How Courage, Curiosity, and Compassion Can Redefine Your Life | Monalisa Saxena | TEDxKIS Pune YouthIn this deeply personal and inspiring TEDx talk, Monalisa Saxena—CEO of Pixights Consulting and COO at Merren—narrates three pivotal life stories that exemplify the power of choosing courage over convention. From breaking academic stereotypes in the ’90s to raise a trailblazing career in communications, to embracing her son’s autism diagnosis with strength and belief, Monalisa speaks about navigating life’s toughest turns with empathy and resilience. Her mantra—“assume competence”—has redefined possibilities not only for her son, who now runs marathons and co-authored an award-winning book, but for countless neurodiverse children. Through her lived experience, Monalisa also sheds light on the silent crisis of women dropping out of the workforce and her mission to build workplaces where empathy meets ambition. A talk that blends vulnerability, humor, and insight—this is a celebration of turning setbacks into wows. Monalisa Saxena is the Chief Operating Officer at Merren and CEO at Pixights Consulting, bringing a rare blend of research depth, entrepreneurial drive, and storytelling finesse to the world of consumer insights. A MICA alumnus and passionate semiotician, she combines data with cultural meaning to decode what truly drives people. With years of experience in decoding consumer behavior, Monalisa is a research buff and mindful entrepreneur who believes in leading with empathy and insight. Whether it’s building scalable research tech or crafting brand narratives, her work bridges logic and emotion—making her a compelling voice at the intersection of business, culture, and innovation. 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
