A TEDx event is a local gathering where live TED-like talks and performances are shared with the community. TEDx events are fully planned and coordinated independently on a community-by-community basis. The content and design of each TEDx event are unique and developed independently, but all of them have features in common.
Ten months ago, bringing TEDx to the ISM community was just an igniting idea, dream, and ambition. But just last month, on April 29, 2023, that dream finally came true. After anxiously waiting for ten weeks, Iris finally got the confirmation to host a TEDx event at ISM. She established a TEDx event and got the official license at 15, making her the youngest TEDx license holder in Myanmar .
The chosen theme for this year’s event is “Loss of ‘I,’” which investigated the influence of digital media on self-expression and identity. In a digital landscape where many individuals are striving for a perfectly curated image or seeking external validation, embracing authenticity can set people apart and bring depth, meaning, and connection to an individual’s online presence and offline interactions. Furthermore, it emphasized how embracing oneself can help develop genuine and lasting connections, prioritize an individual’s well-being and inspire others in the process of building trust and, ultimately, attaining self-fulfillment on their own terms.
Being a small group that started on ground zero, teams were formed- the curation team, the sponsorship and finances team, and the graphic design team- where it was of extreme importance for every member to fulfill their roles to the fullest. The club’s success as a non-profit organization would not have been possible without the help of innumerable parents, students, professors, and staff at ISM, as well as outside sponsors. The partnerships and connections formed as a result of this event (which was held at Novotel Yangon Max hotel) are vital to the team.
TEDx ISM team is currently reflecting on how the event impacted attendees, speakers, and the larger community as a whole. As they set out to explore many more varied themes and meet even more outstanding speakers, they wholeheartedly believe this is only the first milestone and stride taken. Through the TED forum, they have gotten both positive and negative feedback. They are working to evaluate every suggestion made in a constructive way, and they’ll be back with an enhanced and more impactful TEDx event that will reach even more communities.
