Every December, the same promises resurface. We tell ourselves that next year will be different, that this time we’ll follow through.

Most of us already know how that story ends. By February, the promise has slipped away—not through lack of willpower, but because it was never built to hold on its own.

In his TEDxAtlanta talk, Why You Keep Breaking Promises to Yourself (and How to Stop), Walt Brown offers an insight that lands especially hard this time of year: promises don’t work well in isolation.

Walt was a self-professed serial promise breaker. Diets, health goals, and commitments tied to serious moments in his life—all made with good intentions, all eventually broken.

Over time, those broken promises did more than slow progress. They quietly eroded his trust in himself.

What helped him make sense of that wasn’t a productivity system or a mindset shift, but philosophy. Drawing on the work of Yale professor Stephen Darwall, Walt points to a simple idea: a promise only carries real force when it’s made between people and explicitly accepted.A promise made to yourself doesn’t quite meet that standard. There’s no second person to receive it, no shared moment of acknowledgment and no relationship holding it in place.

Seen this way, the problem isn’t discipline; it’s design. Promises weren’t built to work alone.

What Changed When Someone Else Was Involved

The turning point in Walt’s story didn’t come from stricter habits or renewed determination. It came when someone else was involved.

When his wife committed to supporting him, the effort became shared. Accountability stopped feeling abstract, and progress was no longer driven by self-imposed pressure. Trust—mutual and visible—did the work instead.

That same dynamic shows up in Walt’s work with organizations. Companies make promises constantly, whether through job descriptions, values statements or the way meetings are run. When those promises are vague or quietly broken, trust thins out. When they’re clear and consistently honored, something steadier takes hold.

Teams perform better not because culture slogans suddenly work, but because expectations are actually upheld.

A Different Way to Think About the New Year

Atlanta is a city shaped by connection. Progress happens because people show up for one another across neighborhoods, networks and communities.

Walt’s talk suggests that personal change works much the same way.

So instead of asking, What promise will I finally keep this year? it may be more useful to ask, Who needs to be part of it?

As the New Year approaches, that shift matters. It’s not about more willpower or a better resolution. It’s about recognizing that promises—like communities—tend to hold when they’re shared.

Atlanta's Legacy of Justice and Equity in the Global Human Rights Coversation

Over the years, we’ve curated ideas by changemakers who strive  to make our world and communities a safer, fairer, more enlightened place for all, amplifying the voiceless by using our own voices to challenge injustice and expand our empathy.Besides being home to multiple TEDx communities, Atlanta is also a place with a legacy for human rights. As a key hub for the Civil Rights Movement in the US and the home of many leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Senator John Lewis, Atlanta is a place where conversations about justice and equity are part of the city’s DNA.

World Human Rights Day: Justice and Dignity for All

World Human Rights Day acknowledges the intersection of these two realities. On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a revolutionary document that has been translated into over 500 languages and used as the basis for more than 70 human rights treaties around the world. This simple yet ground-breaking document declares that every human is born with the right to dignity, freedom, and a secure and just environment–not because they worked for it; not because of the country they were born in; and not because of their socioeconomic status. Simply because they are human.

Local Stories with Global Impact: TEDxAtlanta Talks Addressing Human Rights

Jasmine Burton: Innovation to Sanitation Through Empathic Design

“Knowing exactly where the restroom is right now puts you among the world’s most privileged half of the population.” 

Humanitarian and industrial designer Jasmine Burton begins her talk with this quote and the fact that about 2.5 billion people do not have access to a toilet. Her Talk takes us through the sanitation crisis in global public health, its impact on education and mental health, and the economic and human cost of diseases stemming from lack of sanitation. Learn how she’s applying empathic design toward innovative and sustainable mobile toilet solutions to restore dignity and hope to many who live with little or no sanitation measures.

L. Denise Wells: The Accessibility Conversation You’re Not Having (But Should Be)

“Our progress as a society is not based on how we treat the privileged. It’s based on how we treat those who are marginalized and the most vulnerable.”

Accessibility for persons with disabilities is often overlooked in DEI conversations and societal advances in general. In this talk, accompanied on stage by a sign language interpreter, DEI practitioner and accessibility advocate L. Denise urges us to speak up for the excluded and the overlooked. When we do, innovative solutions often blossom and benefit us all; after all, it’s how products like the elevator, electric toothbrush, and even phone texting came to be. When we lean in to embrace inclusivity, we unlock opportunities for new inventions, new perspectives, and new advancements.

Jonathan Rapping: Building a New Generation of Public Defenders 

“I learned that if we fail to see the humanity of the people in our criminal justice system, we will drive injustice.”

Attorney Jonathan Rapping admits that “it’s really hard to be a caring lawyer. Caring is painful.” After witnessing many injustices toward people from vulnerable communities (such as children) who were accused of crimes, he decided to channel these painful experiences into his work building a new generation of public defenders based on a culture of empathy, hope, and humanity. Jonathan’s work directly addresses the constitutional right to counsel, the human right to a fair public trial, and the cultural transformation required to reinstill human dignity to those facing criminal charges.

Precious Price: Why We Need to Rethink Housing Insecurity

“Access to adequate housing is a human right, and not having it is an injustice.”

Housing justice advocate Precious Price combines her real estate experience with community action, imploring us to confront housing insecurity with honesty and curiosity. She walks us through examples of the housing insecure, also known as the “hidden homeless,” shining a light on how there are people across all demographics in the US that are just one step away from homelessness. Quoting the UDHR’s decree that access to safe and affordable housing is a fundamental human right, Jasmine takes us through examples of cities and communities that have tackled this issue through the unity and collaboration of policymakers, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs.

What You Can Do Today

World Human Rights Day is not just a passive observance of what was accomplished by an international group of leaders in 1948. It is a day to celebrate the world’s progress with human rights, and a day to mobilize to continue advocating for positive change. Fortunately, as our TEDxAtlanta speakers have proven, you don’t need a lot of money, a ton of followers, or a high-ranking position to make a difference. You can start with your voice, your time, your community, and your passion. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Listen and learn. Watch and listen to the Talks above, discuss your takeaways with friends, and research other human rights stories and anecdotes. 

Speak up and advocate. Use the influence you already have, whether it’s online or at the dinner table, to share stories and statistics about human rights in your daily life. Counter misinformation and call out injustice when you see it.

Support and encourage. Countless organizations work daily and tirelessly to defend human rights. Consider donating, volunteering, or amplifying their work. 

Address and demand. Learn who your local and state elected officials are and hold them accountable in prioritizing human rights in their policies. You can write to them, make phone calls, or even tag them on social media. 

By choosing to honor the dignity and rights of others each day, these small choices add up and shape our world and global thinking about equity, justice, and the right to thrive where you live–no matter who you are.

Behind every poverty statistic is a lived reality. Poverty isn’t only about how much someone earns each day — it’s about dignity, rights, and the chance to live without fear that one crisis will undo years of progress. The latest data from the UN is sobering:

 

  • More than 690 million people live in extreme income poverty on less than $2.15 a day, while nearly half the world lives below $6.85 a day—just one shock away from hardship.

  • Climate shocks hit people experiencing poverty hardest: those contributing least to emissions bear the steepest income losses.

  • Conflict deepens poverty: fragile and unstable settings account for a growing share of people living in extreme poverty.

On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (October 17), these realities remind us that poverty isn’t just about income — it’s about systems, resilience, and the voices we choose to listen to.

That’s where TED Talks come in. Across the years, speakers have challenged our assumptions about poverty and inequality. They’ve shared evidence, exposed traps, offered bold solutions, and spoken from lived experience.

 

To Eradicate Poverty, Listen to the People Who’ve Experienced It — Andrea Pickett (TEDxPortsmouth)

Andrea Pickett doesn’t speak about poverty from a distance. She speaks about it as someone who lived it—a single mom navigating broken systems, confusing applications, and cars that wouldn’t start. In her talk, she makes the case that people experiencing poverty must have a seat at the table when policies are designed.

Her point is simple but powerful: if we can see the humanity in a firefighter who falls into homelessness, why can’t we extend that same humanity to everyone? Pickett reminds us that dignity starts with listening.

How economic inequality harms societies — Richard Wilkinson (TEDGlobal)

More than a decade ago, Richard Wilkinson laid out the data that inequality doesn’t just affect people experiencing poverty—it ripples through all of society. In countries with wider income gaps, health outcomes worsen, violence increases, trust erodes, and social mobility stalls.

 

What made his talk groundbreaking is how clearly the graphs told the story: wealthier nations weren’t necessarily healthier or happier. What mattered was how evenly opportunity was shared. Wilkinson’s work gives us the evidence behind what many instinctively feel: inequality corrodes the bonds that hold societies together.

Why is it so hard to escape poverty? — Ann-Helén Bay (TED-Ed)

Even when support exists, it can come with strings attached. Ann-Helén Bay’s animated talk breaks down the “welfare trap,” which is the harsh reality that taking a job or a small raise can mean losing the very benefits that keep food on the table or a roof overhead.

 

This means people can be punished for working. It’s not laziness; it’s math. Bay’s talk doesn’t just highlight the problem; it points to solutions: phasing out benefits more gradually, simplifying programs, and exploring universal approaches that reduce the fear of losing everything with one small step forward.

To End Extreme Poverty, Give Cash—Not Advice — Rory Stewart (TED)

Former UK politician and development worker Rory Stewart offers a radical but deeply evidence-based solution: just give people cash: no strings, no complicated programs, no costly overhead.


His talk is full of examples. A $40,000 sanitation project delivered only a couple of latrines and some plastic buckets. The same money, given directly, could have transformed twenty times as many schools. And when NGOs in Rwanda started handing families lump-sum payments, villages flourished: homes improved, kids went to school, businesses started, health insurance was purchased.


The lesson? People know what they need. Trust them. As Stewart says, unconditional cash isn’t just more efficient — it’s more respectful. It recognizes dignity as the foundation for progress.

On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty,  the most important takeaway is this: poverty is not inevitable. It’s shaped by choices in policy, in community, and in how we see one another.

What happens when a TEDx talk inspires a community to get outside, slow down, and count bees?

That question brought TEDxAtlanta to Lost Corner Preserve in Sandy Springs, Georgia, for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. What started as an idea shared on our stage—entomologist Kris Braman’s 2023 talk, The Secret of Wild Bees in Cities—has become an annual adventure where we put that idea into practice.

As the TEDxAtlanta license holder, Jacqui Chew, explains, “That talk made us realize we couldn’t think of a better way to combine learning by doing and full immersion in the environment.”

Her vision turned inspiration into action, creating a tradition that blends science, community, and curiosity.

Instead of simply listening, we spent a morning observing. Instead of just hearing about the value of pollinators, we documented them: butterflies drifting between blooms, bumblebees zigzagging across flowers, even the humble ants and flies that keep ecosystems ticking.

With clipboards in hand, children, families, and TEDx community members joined thousands of others across the Southeast in a citizen-science project that turns everyday observations into data researchers will use to track biodiversity.

What we found when we stopped to look

Lost Corner Preserve was buzzing with life. A butterfly bush quickly became the star attraction, drawing clusters of butterflies. Elsewhere, moths darted through damp air, flies rested on leaves, and the occasional bee zigzagged across blossoms.

For Kathryn Woods, a TEDxAtlanta speaker coach, the real challenge isn’t spotting insects—it’s staying still long enough to notice them.

She laughs after recording a single bumblebee and a couple of ants: “I move around a lot in life. It’s a discipline to stay still, but that’s when you notice things—the gem of knowledge.”

Later, she reflects that the experience reminds her how “the ripple effect of our actions is so important… Just because we don’t see the impact doesn’t mean it isn’t there.”

Recent TEDxAtlanta speaker Ana Tardio connects the activity to broader themes. “At TEDx, we talk about sustainability and what we can do, not just for the environment, but for ourselves as humans. Small activities like this connect to those ideas and help build a stronger community.”

Her tally sheet brims with life: a caterpillar, two butterflies, a bumblebee, several flies, and even a few spiders. “Every drop counts when you’re filling a glass,” she says. “You can’t just look at the whole, you have to value the individual drops too.”

Together, our counts feel like drops in a larger glass of collective action. Every observation feeds into a regional database for researchers while also giving us a moment to slow down and connect.

Partners in preservation

The census took place at Lost Corner Preserve, a 24-acre park lovingly maintained by the Friends of Lost Corner and the North Fulton Master Gardeners. Their presence added richness to the day, grounding our observations in both history and local expertise.

Master Gardeners Kathleen Meucci and Kathy Kamille share how they joined the program during the pandemic and now devote their time to cultivating and educating. Known around their neighborhood as the “Garden Girls,” they see their role as much about teaching as planting. As one of them puts it, “Pollinators are good. They’re not here to sting us, they’re here to help us all live.”

They joke about being “not at a loss for words,” but their delight in TEDxAtlanta’s presence is clear: “You all made it for us. On a rainy day, how many butterflies do you usually find? Yet your people were enthusiastic, asking about the beehives and the plants. We’re so glad you came.”

Their warmth is matched by generosity—Kathy even promises to follow up with fig tree advice for a participant struggling at home.

For Jacqui, this illustrates the larger takeaway: the census not only produces scientific data but also cultivates something just as vital—connection.

“It speaks to the interest and care people have for the world around them, our planet, and our food supply,” she says. “And it’s a way to learn by doing, together.”

Reflections from the day

The counts from our morning—whether butterflies, bumblebees, or flies—are just one drop in a much larger effort. Yet, as Ana reminds us, every drop fills the glass. Kathryn speaks of the ripple effect of small actions. And Jacqui shows us how one TEDx talk can spark real-world change.

That’s the heart of this story: an idea left the stage and entered our daily lives. It gave us a way to connect with nature, contribute to science, and strengthen our community.

Turning ideas into action in your own community

Citizen-science projects like the Great Southeast Pollinator Census turn ideas into action, and anyone can take part.

This isn’t unique to Atlanta. Any TEDx chapter can create something similar—citizen-science projects exist everywhere, waiting to be paired with curiosity and collective action. All it takes is a clipboard, fifteen minutes, and the willingness to notice what’s already buzzing around you.

Every September 21, the world comes together to observe the International Day of Peace. This day is a reminder that peace is not a passive state, but an active one, built through compassion, dialogue, and the everyday choices we make to connect with one another. 

To mark this day, we’ve gathered five powerful talks from TED and TEDx stages around the world that shine a light on what peace looks like in action. From global movements to simple acts of kindness, these talks challenge us to see peace as more than an abstract dream, but as something we can create—together.

 

One Day of Peace

Speaker: Jeremy Gilley, TEDGlobal

Filmmaker and activist Jeremy Gilley recounts his journey in contributing to the formation of what is now known as the International Day of Peace. His story highlights how a simple idea grew into a worldwide observance, sparking ceasefires and humanitarian aid efforts. He shows that collective action can turn peace into a lived reality.

 

A Realistic Vision for World Peace

Speaker: Jody Williams, TED

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jody Williams offers a pragmatic perspective on building peace, urging us to focus on tangible actions rather than utopian ideals. Her vision emphasizes grassroots activism and accountability, showing us that peace is the product of choices we make together.

 

Cash, Casseroles, and Grief: Rethinking How We Show Up for Each Other

Speaker: Jordan Arogeti, TEDxAtlanta

Jordan Arogeti challenges us to rethink the ways we show support to one another in moments of loss and need. By moving beyond transactional gestures, she reminds us that true peace begins in the way we extend compassion and presence in our daily lives, building stronger and more resilient communities.

 

A Road to Peace

Speaker: Shunichi Karube, TEDxSuginami

Shunichi Karube, a 4th grader from Tokyo, shares his heartfelt journey toward peace and friendship across cultures. A trip to Phuket, Thailand showed him the joy of connecting with others despite language barriers and inspired him to see language learning as a bridge to stronger bonds.


He calls on all of us to build a peaceful world through kindness, understanding, and friendship, proof that even the youngest voices can inspire change.

 

 

Laughing Our Way to World Peace

Speaker: Susan Sparks, TEDxPeachtree (predecessor to TEDxAtlanta)

Susan Sparks shares how humor can break down barriers, heal wounds, and bring people together across divides. By highlighting the universal language of laughter, she reminds us that peace often starts with something as simple and profound as joy.

 

 

Choosing Peace, One Act at a Time


On this International Day of Peace, let these talks serve as a reminder that peace is not passive. It is a decisive act, big or small, built through compassion, action, and connection. Through advocacy, humor, or small acts of care, each of us has the power to be a peacemaker in our own lives and communities.

Sometimes, big change begins with something as small as a bee.

Pollinators — bees, butterflies, beetles, flies, and more — are the invisible workforce behind our food, our flowers, even our forests. Without them, plants don’t grow. And yet, these tiny creatures are vanishing at alarming rates.

The good news? You can help. And it only takes 15 minutes.

One plant, one simple act

This August, TEDxAtlanta is teaming up with the University of Georgia’s Great Southeast Pollinator Census. It’s a citizen science project where everyone can make a real difference.

Here’s how it works:
Find a blooming plant. Set a timer for 15 minutes. Watch closely. Every time a pollinator lands, you count.

That’s it. No fancy equipment. No biology degree. Just your eyes, a clipboard, and a willingness to notice what so many of us overlook.

Why your count matters

Every observation becomes data that scientists, planners, and conservationists use to protect pollinators and the ecosystems they sustain. Your 15 minutes feeds into something much bigger, showing where pollinators are thriving and where they need help.

Local hands, global impact — the kind of idea that belongs on a TEDxAtlanta stage.

Join us

Bring your curiosity, your family, and maybe a sunhat. We’ll meet on Saturday, 23 August, from 10 a.m. to noon at Lost Corner Preserve, 7300 Brandon Mill Rd NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. You’ll get a quick briefing and a guide to help you tell a bee from a fly, then you’re off to count.

Because small actions can lead to big changes. And change starts with you.

Click here to RSVP today and count yourself in!

Learn more about the census

Three women, one mission: to redesign fashion for people and the planet.

What if the future of fashion isn’t just about what we wear, but how we live?

At Exploring Innovations in Sustainable Fashion, hosted by Ideas into Action in collaboration with Georgia State University’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute and Creative Media Industries Institute, that question came to life through bold ideas, unexpected materials and a shared commitment to doing things differently. Set against the backdrop of Atlanta Tech Week, the evening brought together creatives, entrepreneurs and researchers who are transforming the fashion industry with science, intention and heart.

Mindful manufacturing, without the waste

For Tia Robinson, sustainability starts with mindfulness. After years as a certified meditation instructor—and a thriving career in communications—she launched Vertical Activewear, a size-inclusive, sustainable apparel brand rooted in her own personal values. But when COVID disrupted the supply chain, Tia took matters into her own hands—literally—by bringing manufacturing in-house.

Her vertically integrated, on-demand model eliminates the guesswork and overproduction contributing to fashion’s staggering waste problem: 30 to 40% of all garments never sell. Vertical’s B2B membership model allows brands to produce only what they need, while its direct-to-consumer line blends bold design with fit education to reduce returns. No inventory. No landfill overflow. Just slow, smart growth.

From the lab: fashion grown from fungi

Mya Love Griesbaum, a Georgia Tech materials science student and founder of Mycorrhiza Fashion, is growing the future—one mycelial thread at a time. In her lab, white rot fungi break down plastic waste and grow into a leather-like biomaterial. The result? A durable, biodegradable alternative to traditional leather and synthetics, without the environmental cost of livestock or petrochemicals.

What began as a bioremediation research project has evolved into a biomaterials startup that blends fashion, science and environmental justice. Each prototype tells a story—not just of circularity and innovation, but of aesthetics shaped by nature itself. “One of the most loved features,” Mya shared, “is the patterning. Designers don’t see flaws—they see beauty.”

Upcycling meets activism

Tanjuria Willis, founder of Atlanta Sustainable Fashion Week, didn’t begin her career in the fashion world. An electrical engineer by training, she was driven into action after her infant daughter experienced unexplained health issues linked to toxic textile chemicals. That journey led her to research, then advocacy, and finally to founding a platform that celebrates local makers and educates the public on how fashion affects our health and environment.

Her wearable designs speak volumes—literally. Tanjuria showcased pieces made from construction fencing, lanyards, game day banners and recycled textiles. Her mission is clear: reduce waste, elevate craft and make sustainability accessible. Through workshops, repair cafés and partnerships, her team empowers others to reuse, reimagine and create beauty from the discarded.

 

Real questions, real change

The panelists didn’t just present ideas—they invited dialogue. And the audience delivered.

How can we tell if a brand is greenwashing?
Mya pointed to misleading labels and vague claims—like garments tagged “100% recycled” that refer only to the label itself. Tanjuria and Tia recommended sites like Good On You and Remake.world, as well as reviewing factory certifications and supply chain transparency.

Does changing 10% of our purchases really make a difference?
Yes. Buying even one of every ten garments from an on-demand or sustainable source can shift retail behavior, reduce waste and signal demand for better practices. Multiply that by millions of consumers, and the impact grows.

What if sustainable fashion feels too expensive or inaccessible?
“There’s no one-size-fits-all solution,” Tanjuria said. “Start where you are.” Whether it’s upcycling a T-shirt into a tote or choosing one mindful purchase, small actions can have a ripple effect.

What’s next for the future of fashion?
The speakers pointed to a convergence of technology, biology and design—from AI-powered patternmaking and 3D printing to compostable fabrics and regenerative sourcing. The shared goal? A fashion industry that heals more than it harms.

The power of small shifts

Sustainable fashion isn’t a trend—it’s a transformation. And it’s being led by people who aren’t waiting for permission to build something better.

As the evening closed, the message was clear: We all have a role to play. Whether you’re a designer, a student, a shopper or a scientist, the future of fashion is something you can influence—one purchase, one question, one idea at a time.

Want to get involved?

 

Fashion shapes culture. Let’s shape it with care.

TEDxAtlanta speakers share fresh perspectives on sustainability, innovation and action.

Every year, the world produces more than 400 million tons of plastic. Half of it is designed to be used once. Only 10% gets recycled. And about 11 million tons end up in our water—rivers, lakes, seas and oceans—every single year.

To put that in perspective, that’s the weight of 2,200 Eiffel Towers.

Plastic pollution is more than a waste problem. It’s a global challenge that affects our health, our communities and our climate. That’s why June 5—World Environment Day—is a reminder to not only understand the impact of plastic waste, but to advocate for solutions that help build a more sustainable future.

Here are just a few ideas from creators and inventors from the TEDx and TED stage who are taking action on the waste problem:

Aurora Robson

TEDxAtlanta 2021 speaker alum Aurora Robson is an award-winning debris artist known for her meditative work intercepting the plastic waste stream. She creates art that explores issues related to the culture of disposability and consumerism.

Morgan Vague

In this TEDxMtHood talk, Morgan Vague describes her research with microbiologist Jay Mellies on the wild world of microbes that eat plastic. With more plastic than fish projected in our oceans by 2050, this groundbreaking research could offer a surprisingly natural (and tiny) hero in the fight against pollution.

Suzanne Lee

TED Fellow Suzanne Lee delivers a boundary-pushing idea that opens a window into the world of biofabrication—where living cells, not factories, are the future of material production. From replacing plastic to rethinking cement, she explores how biology can help us redesign some of the most wasteful parts of modern life. It’s not science fiction. It’s sustainable innovation, and it’s happening now.

What you do matters

This World Environment Day, join us in reflecting on the future you want to help create—and take one small step to protect it.

It’s 2024, and this means we are in an election year! This November, like every election year, is a crucial time for American citizens. Democracy is integral to America’s history, and as we prepare to elect our next President, it’s helpful to understand a few key perspectives about the nature of democracy, its value, and our role within it. 

It all starts with grasping the foundation of American democracy: what it is, what it means, and its fundamental aspects. Being clear on these basics and the direction of our democracy will help inform and enhance your expression of activism:

Watch: What’s Next for American Democracy | Lawrence Lessig | TEDxMarin

Acknowledging that We, The People, are the democracy is critical. Embracing our roles by voting and engaging actively with our government can ensure that our government serves our needs and reflects our values:

Watch: Citizen: The Most Important Title in American Democracy | Chris Hand | TEDxJacksonville

Recognizing the historical struggle to secure the right to vote for all American citizens underscores its significance: 

Watch: The fight for the right to vote in the United States | Nicki Beaman Griffin | TED-Ed

To make informed decisions in our diverse and evolving country, it’s imperative to fully understand civil liberties and rights, including the importance of voting and the need to organize and act against injustices:

Watch: The fight for civil rights and freedom | John Lewis and Bryan Stevenson | TED Legacy Project

Sometimes, people feel that their voices can’t drive the change they wish to see. If such doubts deter you from voting, realizing the universal principles of democracy and the role of civil society can reveal your potential as a catalyst for change:

Watch: How to be an active citizen and spark change | Gabriel Marmentini | TED Democracy

Government transparency is a cornerstone of democracy. Becoming familiar with open government is important for analyzing democratic values, as it ensures the government remains accountable to the People:

Watch: Why Open Government is So Crucial To Our Society | Martha Mendoza | TEDxSantaCruz

Facing the flaws within the American Justice System reinforces the need for active voting and full engagement in our democracy, as such actions help us advance the equitable reforms we desire for our country:

Watch: The Most UNjust System, The Justice System | Cassandra Owei | TEDxYouth@AISCT

In summary, democracy thrives on informed participation. By voting, staying educated, and listening to diverse perspectives, you can help shape a government that truly reflects the needs of all. Your voice matters—use it to make a difference.

 

 

 

 

AuthorChloe Davis, Marketing Team Volunteer, TEDxAtlanta  

Omer Inan creates medical devices and systems that improve human health and well-being. He believes that wearable technology can revolutionize healthcare by providing personalized feedback, improving diagnosis, and enhancing treatment.

A smart patch that measures fluid accumulation in the lungs of heart failure patients, a wireless device that monitors joint inflammation in arthritis patients, and a wearable system that can track muscle activity and fatigue in athletes are just some of projects powered by his research.

Omer is Professor and Linda J. and Mark C. Smith Chair in Bioscience and Bioengineering in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Adjunct Professor in the Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech.

His work has earned him numerous accolades, including an Academy Award for Technical Achievement and the IEEE Sensors Council Young Professional Award.