The second TEDx Shaftesbury Youth event on 9th March welcomed a new wave of young thinkers eager to present innovative ideas for our future. A diverse group of under-18 speakers from schools across Dorset and beyond – including one from Taiwan – shared their insights on topics like diversity in education, sign language importance, the creativity crisis, and entomology appreciation.
Hosted by entrepreneur Fatimah Hussain, a two-time TEDx speaker and recipient of the Gold Presidential Service Award from President Biden, the event resonated with her own journey. Event organiser Alex More said, ‘Ideas are the currency of the present and will shape the future. Our TEDx event is a day for curiosity, inspiration, and action.’
The sold-out event captivated audiences with compelling talks, such as the need for Northern Ireland’s history in GCSE courses and cryptocurrency education. Tom Massey from The Gryphon School advocated for sign language in schools, noting, ‘TEDx is a special journey… even if you are small, you can make a big change.’
In addition, TEDx Shaftesbury introduced Lightning Talks, a format designed to engage young audiences with concise, impactful speeches. With speakers as young as 10, topics ranged from equality in girls’ football to tackling space junk. The event, streamed live globally, will be accessible on the TEDx website for future viewing.
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