On 14 June, more than a thousand students, teachers, and community members gathered at the School of Management, Fudan University, Zhengli Campus for TEDxYouth@YCYWShanghai. Under the theme of "DARE TO ASK," the participants shared speeches, art, performances, and exhibitions, expressing their prospects for individuals and society.

Our Students actively participated, delivering compelling speeches, showcasing innovative projects, and participating in diverse interactive workshops. The entire event was brimming with youthful energy and a passion for learning, highlighting the depth of thought and innovative spirit of the new generation.

Brave Exploration of Identity

G11 student Haslina, a Pakistani girl who grew up in China, shared her profound reflections on identity. Using the art of photography, she bravely explored often-overlooked issues of identity. While photographing in Lahore, Pakistan, she discovered that true belonging wasn't found in grand landmarks, but in the authentic, chaotic, and vibrant details of life. She introduced the concept of "Glocal Identity," encouraging everyone feeling lost within multiculturalism: identity is personal and imperfect, but it can be gradually constructed through self-expression and exploration.

The Art of Storytelling Through Music

G7 student Elsa showcased the powerful narrative transformation of music creation with engaging experiments. She demonstrated how the same video elicited vastly different emotional responses when paired with different music. She also shared two distinct musical pieces composed by seventh-graders for Alice in Wonderland. Elsa highlighted that music composition enhances storytelling, fostering personal growth and creativity, and encouraged everyone to explore and create their own life's soundtrack.

Embracing Neurodiversity: Valuing Every Mind

G6 student Luke, a member of the neurodiverse community, bravely shared his story, advocating for societal understanding, acceptance, and respect. He demonstrated how neurodiversity can be a strength, using examples of successful individuals. He emphasized the lack of a standard "normal" and the importance of equal treatment for all. His speech deeply moved the audience, promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of neurodiversity.

Technology and Tradition: A Perfect Match

G4 student Addison explored the fusion of technology and traditional equestrian sports. He investigated innovations like robotic massage arms and AI monitoring, showcasing how technology improves equine care. Through interviews with equestrian professionals, he learned about the positive impact on horse health and performance. He envisioned a future where technology provides "four-legged athletes" with unprecedented levels of care.

Growing Up Cross-Culturally: Daring to Ask

G3 student Anirwa shared his cross-cultural journey from Germany to China. He emphasized that daring to ask questions is key to growth and integration. He remained curious, actively asking questions despite language barriers and cultural differences. He believes every cultural background is valuable, and we can embrace multiple identities while finding support in unexpected places. He encouraged everyone to ask, embrace differences, and transform challenges into adventures, as curiosity and courage open new worlds.

Boundless Music, Boundless Love

Also in G3, MJ and Curtis showed us that music transcends cultural boundaries. They used Bob Marley and Michael Jackson to demonstrate music's power to spread messages of peace and environmental protection. They and their class chose music to convey animal protection messages. Through research, poetry, and song composition, combining Asian and Western musical scales, they performed to raise awareness. They proved that young people can express concern for social issues through creativity.

A Rich and Diverse Programme

In addition to their captivating speeches, our students were actively involved in other exciting activities at TEDxYouth@YCYWShanghai. 

They showcased their youthful energy on stage with rhythmic rap and drumming. Their handcrafted designs for a future campus, exhibited at the YCYW Joint Art Exhibition, were impressive, reflecting their unique vision for educational spaces and their aspirations for campus life. In the interactive VEX robotics zone, our students became technology ambassadors, demonstrating and explaining robotics to inspire others and foster a passion for scientific exploration.

Themed "DARE TO ASK," this TEDxYouth@YCYWShanghai event offered a platform for young thinkers and championed a spirit of questioning and exploration. Our students perfectly embodied this ethos. Their presentations showcased the new generation's depth of thought and innovation, reflecting the true essence of education: cultivating global-minded, critical-thinking, and compassionate future leaders.

As the theme suggests, daring to ask breaks boundaries and unlocks possibilities. These young voices inspire us, reminding us that the future belongs to those who question, innovate, and embrace inclusivity. Their stories will continue to motivate young people to change the world.