Σε ποιο βαθμό η επιθυμία μας είναι πραγματικά δική μας; Η ομιλία εξετάζει το ψυχαναλυτικό παράδοξο της επιθυμίας μέσα από τη σκέψη του Ζακ Λακάν και του Σίγκμουντ Φρόυντ, αναδεικνύοντας πώς οι προσδοκίες των άλλων –και κυρίως των γονέων μας– διαμορφώνουν την αίσθηση του εαυτού μας. Πώς ορίζεται η ταυτότητά μας όταν διαρκώς αναζητούμε κάτι που μας διαφεύγει; Και τι σημαίνει να ζούμε μέσα από την επιθυμία των άλλων; Georgios Kountouras is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at Democritus University of Thrace. He is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) and the Department of Social Work at the Athens University of Applied Sciences (TEI Athens). He holds a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Derby and a PhD. He has also received training in psychoanalysis. He has significant academic experience teaching topics related to mental health and psychopathology. 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

Η Δανάη Μπεζαντάκου μοιράζεται τις καθημερινές μεταβάσεις που βιώνει, από το ρόλο της ως μητέρα και μέντορας μέχρι την ηγεσία στον επιχειρηματικό κόσμο. Αναλύει τις προκλήσεις και τις ευκαιρίες που δημιουργούνται μέσα από αυτές τις αλλαγές, ενώ παράλληλα αναδεικνύει τα μεγάλα σύγχρονα ζητήματα, όπως το brain drain, το δημογραφικό και την ψηφιακή μετάβαση. Μέσα από τη ναυτιλία, την επιχειρηματικότητα και τη δικτύωση, παρουσιάζει τρόπους με τους οποίους μπορούμε να προσαρμοστούμε και να αξιοποιήσουμε τη μετάβαση ως εργαλείο εξέλιξης. Danae Bezantakou leads NAVIGATOR SHIPPING CONSULTANTS in the maritime industry while also being involved in family businesses in the tourism sector, including the tourism company KEFI S.A. and the MATILDA Hotel in Zakynthos. She is the founder of the YES Forum, the first platform for open dialogue between students, executives, and professionals in the fields of Shipping and Maritime Tourism, and the author of the book titled "Towards the Sea Meria," published by Dioptra Editions. Additionally, she serves as the First Vice President of the International Propeller Club (Port of Piraeus), Director at Large of the International Propeller Club, and President of the Hellenic U.S. Alumni Association. She is also the President of iforU - Greek Mentoring Network, which aims to empower women entrepreneurs through Mentoring and Networking, and Head of the Education Team at ICC Women Hellas. 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

O Νίκος Κοσμίδης, υποψήφιος διδάκτωρ Αρχιτεκτονικής, εμβαθύνει στη σύνθετη σχέση μας με το παρελθόν, εξετάζοντας τις έννοιες της μνήμης και της μεταμνήμης. Μέσα από παραδείγματα από ιστορικούς τόπους και σύγχρονες κοινωνικές πρακτικές, ο Κοσμίδης αναδεικνύει πώς η μνήμη δεν είναι μια παθητική ανάκληση, αλλά μια δυναμική διαδικασία που διαμορφώνει την κατανόησή μας για το παρόν και το μέλλον. Αναλύει τους κινδύνους της εργαλειοποίησης της μνήμης και την ανάγκη για κριτική επεξεργασία των ιστορικών αφηγήσεων, ενώ παράλληλα υπογραμμίζει τη σημασία της διατήρησης της μνήμης ως μέσου για την προάσπιση της ανθρώπινης αξιοπρέπειας. Nikos Kosmidis is a PhD candidate at the Department of Architecture Engineering at Democritus University of Thrace. He has studied Graphic Arts, European Culture, and Theology. Nikolaos has been involved in missions, committees, and events organized by international organizations, including the World Council of Churches in Geneva. He currently serves as the Communication and Public Relations Officer at the Thracian Art and Tradition Foundation and is involved in coordinating the "Actions for History, Memory, and Culture" program, aimed at promoting historical, social, and material memory through a generational approach. For his contributions to preserving historical memory, Nikolaos was awarded the “Meritorious for the Treblinka Museum” medal by the Treblinka Museum in Poland. 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

The end times dominate our culture, visions of apocalyptic worlds that consume our media cycle upon the onset of the most recent catastrophe–whether it be the newest drastic effect of climate change or the newest global conflict. However, this obsession with the end times is not only unhealthy but actively detrimental to our progress towards fixing these challenges. Ever since building his first bottle rocket in third grade, Ankit has been a highly dedicated student researcher and education advocate. Aiming to help build and train the next generation of thinkers, scientists, and innovators through outreach and advocacy, he works to bring tutoring and mentorship to under-funded communities via his organization the Youth Research Initiative, which has reached 52k+ people around the world. As a youth researcher, he explores the furthest frontiers of the observable universe–receiving notable accolades, including a Grand Prize at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the Davidson Fellow scholarship, and being a Broadcom MASTERS Top Award winner. Both his scientific tutelage and research work towards his central goal–to help explore the terra incognita beyond the world’s map of knowledge. 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

Cleared the UPSC in her first attempt, Dr. Archana Keerti Chowdhary walked away from the IES not out of defeat, but to forge a quieter revolution.By mentoring 2-3 future civil servants annually, she discovered that true leadership isn’t about wearing the uniform; it’s about multiplying change through those who do.In this talk, she reveals how rejecting a prestigious ‘Plan A’ unlocked a legacy far greater than any bureaucratic role and why nurturing talent can ripple into 100x the impact. A true leader in education, Dr. Archana Keerti Chowdhary, the esteemed Principal of the Institute of Engineering and Science, IPS Academy, Indore. With over 25 years of experience in teaching and research, Dr. Chowdhary has been instrumental in shaping the institute’s academic excellence.Since joining IPS Academy in 1999, she has led the institution to remarkable growth, fostering innovation and practical learning. Under her leadership, the institute recently celebrated 25 years of excellence in engineering and science education.Dr. Chowdhary’s dedication to education extends beyond academics—she is a mentor, a visionary, and an inspiration to both students and faculty. Her commitment to excellence continues to elevate IPS Academy as a center of learning and innovation. 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

Nour speaks about neuroscience, opportunity and the role that priviledge shapes motivation. Nour Hamad, is a Sudanese student whose view of opportunity had been shaped by her experience living in Sudan, Dubai, and Uganda. Growing up amidst vastly different cultural and social landscapes, she developed a deep curiosity about how our surroundings influence the opportunities we create and pursue. As an IB student with a passion for biology and public speaking, she explores how science intersects with human potential. She aims to empower others by shedding light on how the brain functions, enabling them to unlock their full capabilities, regardless of the circumstances in their environment. 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