TEDx TIS Macao Youth 2026
The International School of Macao (TIS) proudly hosted TEDx TIS Macao Youth 2026 on World Earth Day, April 22, bringing together students, educators, and community members for an inspiring day of ideas, dialogue, and impact. Under the theme “Our power, our planet,” the event encouraged young voices to reflect on the challenges facing our world, and to share powerful ideas about collective action, environmental responsibility, and personal agency.
The event featured a diverse lineup of speakers, each sharing their insights:
Karen Chan (Grade 12)
Drawing from her personal journey with anxiety, Karen introduces the psychological concept of post‑traumatic growth. She shows how the hardest moments can shape us into more empathetic, connected, and powerful individuals, and how she turned her own struggles into a passion for supporting others.
Quinton Choi (Grade 9)
Starting with a video of a turtle with a plastic straw stuck in its nose—and the single plastic water bottle on his own desk—Quinton makes a simple but profound point: every small, everyday choice can ripple outward, creating a wave of change that starts with one reusable bottle.
Curtis Chan (Grade 8)
Reflecting on a childhood memory of a girl who was bullied and excluded because she was “different,” Curtis explored the bystander effect and the power of inclusion. He calls on every listener to break their silence and embrace others with open arms, because one small act of kindness can heal.
Alena Elia (Grade 9)
Opening with a plastic bottle tossed onto the stage, Alena explores Freud’s theory of the “death instinct” and humanity’s self‑destructive tendencies as a root cause of the environmental crisis. Her talk concludes with a powerful call: only by acknowledging our darkness can we unlock the energy to act.
Igor Muebe (Grade 9)
Having lived through the Mozambican armed conflict, Igor shared how war destroys not only buildings but also childhood certainty and dreams. Yet he also reveals the resilience that emerges in the face of destruction, reminding us that peace is not silence— it is the space where we speak again.
As a respected branch of the global TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) community, TEDx is known for meaningful dialogue and storytelling. By participating in this event, the student speakers gained a prestigious platform to share their perspectives and strengthen their credibility as emerging thought leaders.
“We are incredibly proud to see our students not only engaging with global issues but also stepping onto a TEDx stage to share their thinking,” said TIS Head of School Lorne Schmidt “When young people connect their personal stories to the world's most pressing challenges, they don't just inspire an audience — they inspire themselves to lead.”
TEDx TIS Macao Youth 2026 proved that hope is not passive, it is a choice we make when we speak, listen, and act with purpose. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making this a memorable experience! With every new idea shared and every conversation sparked, the youth of today are already becoming the stewards of tomorrow, ready to turn insight into impact.
