Julia Kate Mitchell provides 3 steps employers can take to support those who have been diagnosed with autism in our workplaces. Julia was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 7, ADHD at age 24 and autism at age 27. She is a dedicated advocate for those who are diagnosed with autism. She founded the meetup group, Weird and Wonderful, a monthly social group. She works for the Pacific Autism Family Network as an Employment and Education Specialist. She is also a life skills coach who supports autistic people to navigate relationships and build self-esteem. Julia enjoys triathlon training, hot yoga, drawing mandalas and blogging. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

"Can housing be more than housing?" highlights the importance of supportive housing for the transgender, two-spirit and gender-diverse (2STGD) community. Jodi Gray uses her life as an example of how 2STGD supportive housing can provide much needed community to those who are most in need of understanding and support. Jodi Gray is a trans woman who lives and works on the unceded territory of the Squamish, Tseilwatuth and Musqueam peoples. Jodi has business experience, working in accounting and administration for over 20 years before having to leave it behind for medical reasons. She now utilizes her passion for helping others as the Program Manager of Aoki Ross, Western Canada’s first housing project for transgender, gender diverse and two-spirit people. Jodi has been in this position for the last 3 years and is a strong advocate for more housing for this marginalized population. Jodi is also on the board of LETS and is a former board member of the Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre. She volunteers her time with the UBC Interdisciplinary Health Mentor Program to bring the patients perspective to medical students. Her strong belief is that her willingness to be open about her journey can help future generations not have to go through some of the trauma she has suffered. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Since 1981, when for the first time computers were used to collect and publish the Election results in Greece, until today, the talk examines the technological and political progress that occurred. Andreas G. Drymiotis ,born 1940 in Nicosia Cyprus. Studied Civil Engineering in the National Technical University of Athens, from 1959 to 1964. From 1965 to 1966 he was a post-graduate student in Battersee College of Technology (today University of Surrey) where he learned the programming of digital computers. From January 1967 until 1984 he worked as a Technical Manager and General Manager of Doxiadis Associates Computer Center (DACC). DACC was the official distributor of UNIVAC electronic computers and from 1969 it was operating the largest service bureau in Greece.In 1984, with Alpha Bank and DACC, they established DELTA Informatics, which pioneered the outsourcing of computer services to third parties mainly in the financial sector. He remained President and CEO until 2004, when DELTA Informatics was acquired by First Data International. From 2005 to 2006 he was Vice-President of Unisystems and from 2008 to 2009 he the President of SingularLogic Integrator.During the period 1/2/2010 – 4/11/2011 he was the Head of Information and Technology Unit at the Office of the Prime Minister of Greece. He is a pioneer in the information technology in Greece and during the 70’s he implemented the installation of several mainframes in most of the ministries in Greece, including the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Order, the National Statistical Office, the Taxation Office and others. Probably the most well known project is the design and implementation of the of the collection and real time publication of all the Election’s Results in Greece from 1981 until 2009. It is the most successful outsourcing project in the Public Sector.In 1989 we was awarded an Honorary Discrimination by the Foundation for the Advancement of Journalism “Athanasios Botsis” for his contribution in the establishment of the National Data Base for all the newspapers in Greece. He was a member of the Committee fro the 2004 Olympic Games responsible for the Information Technology of the Games.He has published the book “20 Months Hostage”, referring to his detention in the concentration camps of Cyprus during the fight against the British, 1955-1959. Other books are “In Sundays Kathimerini – Page 9” and “40 + 1 Election Nights – A 39 year Adventure in Politics, Media and Information Technology”. Since 2012, he has a regular weekly column in “Sundays Kathmerini”. He is married with two sons. Both of them are in Information Technology. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

his talk is about exploring the impact of "what if" thinking on our lives and how it shapes our decisions and well-being. It delves into the psychological phenomenon of counterfactual thinking—our natural tendency to imagine alternate versions of the past—and examines its dual effects: as a tool for learning from mistakes or as a trap that fuels regret and limits progress.Drawing from personal experience, the talk highlights the speaker's journey of overcoming a life dictated by societal expectations. It tells the story of how living with regret inspired a bold transformation, leading to the pursuit of a personally fulfilling career. By sharing this journey, the speaker illustrates the importance of embracing imperfection, letting go of the past, and taking ownership of one’s choices.The talk offers actionable strategies to break free from regret, encouraging the audience to:Reflect on their true desires. Assess their willingness to pursue them. Accept the inherent risks of uncertainty. Find peace in the outcomes, whether successful or not. Ultimately, this talk is a call to transform "what if" thoughts into "what's next" actions. It emphasizes the power of a growth mindset and invites the audience to shift focus from dwelling on past possibilities to seizing present opportunities. The closing message encourages listeners to embrace their dreams, asking a pivotal question: What if you said yes to your dreams? Abdullah has earned two master’s degrees in Counseling and Psychology, and currently a counselor at Gulf University for Science & Technology (GUST). He is a former director of the Middle East Psychological Association’s (MEPA) Kuwait country chapter. Abdullah was invited as a speaker to multiple conferences, panel discussions, and as a speaker in multiple schools, universities, corporate identities, and the general public. With a major interest in education, he lectures and conducts workshops and trainings in the field of brain and mental health. With the understanding of Kuwait’s collectivist culture and its barriers, Abdullah aims to guide individuals in improving their quality of performance in their day to day lives whether its personal or work related, by better understanding their brain mechanics and their mental health. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

"How a chocolate bar shows love" asks viewers to consider how they treat those who live on the streets. Do we pretend they are invisible, or do we offer what support we can? Jamerson reflects on how giving back to the most vulnerable members of your community, even if all you can give is a chocolate bar, helps to make them feel seen and loved. Deana lived through over 20 years of addiction, but despite all of the hardships she faced there was never a lack of community or a shortage of people who loved and cared for her. She met her husband on the Downtown Eastside and they found sobriety and healing and have been together for 22 years. While living on the Downtown Eastside, she also found her older brother, whom she had not previously known and currently remains close with. He also lives and works on the Downtown Eastside helping their sisters and brothers. Her journey through addiction has led her from Edmonton to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, home to her mother on the Gitanmaax Band reserve, and finally to Surrey where she resides with her husband. Throughout her life she dreamed of marriage and family and can now proudly say all her dreams have come true. Deana celebrated 20 years of sobriety in May and continues to work with her husband to help their friends from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside recover from addiction. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

هذا الحديث يستعرض تاريخ ومستقبل ريادة الأعمال في شبه الجزيرة العربية، مع التركيز على كيفية استعداد المنطقة لاقتصاد ما بعد النفط. يستخدم المتحدث، بدر العيسى، سرداً حيوياً لتسليط الضوء على مخاطر الاعتماد المفرط على النفط، ويؤكد على أهمية العودة إلى روح ريادة الأعمال التي تميز بها أجداد المنطقة.يبدأ الحديث بقصة خيالية تدور أحداثها في عام 2054، حيث يتصور عالماً نفدت فيه احتياطيات النفط في الكويت تماماً، مما يترك مواطنيها وحكومتها في أزمة. يدفع هذا السيناريو المتحدث للتأمل في صمود شعب شبه الجزيرة العربية عبر التاريخ، والذين ازدهروا من خلال التجارة والاعتماد على الموارد المتاحة قبل عصر النفط.يستعرض بدر تاريخ ريادة الأعمال في المنطقة، بداية من طرق التجارة القديمة. كما يبرز الموقع الاستراتيجي لشبه الجزيرة العربية الذي جعلها دائماً مركزاً للتجارة العالمية.ينتقل الحديث إلى قصة شخصية يروي فيها بدر درساً مهماً تعلمه من أحد معلميه: ألا يعتمد على مصدر دخل واحد. هذا الدرس ألهمه لترك وظيفة مستقرة والسعي نحو مسار ريادي أكثر ديناميكية. يشارك كيف تمكنت شركته من مواجهة التحديات الاقتصادية خلال جائحة كوفيد-19 من خلال تعزيز روح الابتكار والتكيف.الرسالة المركزية للحديث هي أن المستقبل يكمن في اكتشاف "النفط الجديد" داخلنا، المتمثل في الإبداع والثقافة والقدرات البشرية. يدعو بدر إلى تغيير في العقلية لبناء اقتصاد متنوع يحترم صمود وريادة "فرسان" المنطقة وأسلافها.This talk explores the history and future of entrepreneurship in the Arabian Peninsula, with a focus on how the region can prepare for a post-oil economy. The speaker, Bader Al-Essa, uses a vivid narrative to highlight the dangers of over-reliance on oil and emphasizes the importance of returning to the entrepreneurial spirit of the region's ancestors.The talk begins with a fictional story set in 2054, imagining a world where Kuwait’s oil reserves are completely depleted, leaving its citizens and government in crisis. This scenario prompts the speaker to reflect on the historical resilience of the Arabian Peninsula's people, who thrived through trade and resourcefulness long before the oil era.Bader recounts the region's entrepreneurial history, from the ancient trade routes. He highlights the strategic location of the Arabian Peninsula, which has always been a hub for global commerce.The talk transitions to a personal story where Bader reflects on a key lesson from a mentor: never depend on a single source of income. This inspired him to leave a stable job to pursue a more dynamic entrepreneurial path. He shares how his company navigated the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by fostering a spirit of innovation and adaptability.The central message of the talk is that the future lies in rediscovering the "new oil" within—creativity, culture, and human potential. Bader calls for a shift in mindset to build a diversified economy that honors the resilience and resourcefulness of the region's "knights" and pioneers. Bader Nabil Al-Essa, known as "Bu Nabil," is a passionate entrepreneur and influential figure who received the "Best Arab Influencer" award from the International Government Communication Forum in Sharjah in 2021. A motivational Arab content creator, he seeks to raise collective awareness about the importance of freelancing and entrepreneurship. He is the founder of Imkan Community, the largest Arab entrepreneurial network in the region.Bu Nabil is an inspiring role model, dedicated to empowering Arab youth, fostering individual growth, thriving communities, and advancing economic development.He is also one of the prominent figures who put Kuwait on the Guinness World Records map by achieving the highest digital ticket sales for an online play performed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx