TEDx Youth

HFS International

What is Tedx?

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.

Our event is called TEDx Youth @ HFS International, where x = independently organized TED event. At our event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.

Our Theme

Building Bridges, Not Walls

In this chaos ridden jungle where wild dogs run hungry for power, elephants and donkeys run mad for the money, and all others are hunted down by the grasps of starvation, humans die. Imagine this: a society, a community, a human collective turned into animals. Insentience, apathy, and selfism rule all. We, as a society, have collectively forgotten, maybe intentionally, the concept of ‘empathy.’ In the pursuit of individual success within the frenetic pace of modern life, the resonance of empathy has grown faint. As technology connects us across vast distances, it paradoxically widens the emotional gap between hearts. We’ve become disconnected from one another. “18,000 dead in Gaza,” we listen on the T.V. We couldn’t be more unbothered. We’ve lost all empathy.

Why must empathy be so important, though? It is a profound ability to vicariously experience the emotions of others, transcending personal perspectives to connect with the universal human condition. In a world marked by diversity and complexity, empathy serves as a bridge across cultural, social, and economic divides, fostering a sense of unity and cooperation. It not only deepens interpersonal relationships but also promotes inclusivity, tolerance, and acceptance.

Reattaining empathy is paramount in our quest for a more humane and interconnected world. In the hustle and bustle of modern life, the intrinsic value of understanding and sharing the feelings of others often takes a backseat. Rediscovering empathy is not just a personal endeavor but a collective necessity.

And so, our theme for TEDx Youth @ HFS International 2024 supports just this notion. Join us and be rekindled with your empathy.