In his talk 'From crisis to compassion: Redefining leadership for the future', Mark challenges us to rethink how we lead and respond in an increasingly uncertain world. Dr Mark Crosweller is a national security and disaster management expert with 40 years of experience shaping policy at the highest levels. As a former advisor to the Prime Minister & Cabinet, he has led strategies on disaster risk reduction and resilience. Now the Founder of Ethical Intelligence and a Distinguished Advisor at ANU’s National Security College, Mark explores the ethical dimensions of leadership in times of crisis. 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

In this special TEDxCanberra set, Sam brings tracks from her debut EP, 'A Place for Us' - a journey through love, self-acceptance, and the power of owning who you are. Get ready to dance! Inspired by the funk and disco of the ’80s, Sam Sly's music bursts with infectious energy, funky basslines, and dance-worthy grooves. With a sound reminiscent of Benee and Remi Wolf, her performances are playful, bold, and impossible to resist. 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

In this special performance, they bring their signature blend of passion and precision to the TEDxCanberra stage. Neeman Piano Duo captivates audiences with their impeccable musicianship and dynamic onstage chemistry. This husband-and-wife duo has enchanted listeners across America, Australia, and Asia, performing everything from classical masterpieces to Broadway hits and contemporary works. Renowned for their artistry, they have played with orchestras such as the National Capital Orchestra, and their recital on historical pianos was named one of the ‘Top five concerts of the year’ by The Canberra Times. 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

Growing up in southern Tunisia, Besma Kraiem dreamed of space, the future, and what technology could make possible. Today, as a global AI advisor, she reflects not as an engineer, but as a mother and fellow human being — on how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping our world at unprecedented speed. In this powerful talk, she explores how AI can be either a great equalizer or a force that deepens inequality. With clarity and empathy, she calls on all of us — parents, students, entrepreneurs, educators — to embrace AI literacy, demand transparency, and shape a future where technology serves humanity, not the other way around. Besma Kraiem is an engineer and global business leader with over 25 years of experience driving growth, innovation, and market expansion across multiple industries. An accomplished executive, she has held leadership roles in Germany, the UK, Japan, and Portugal, collaborating with companies across five continents. As a Non-Executive Director and Advisory Board Member, certified by Harvard Business School, Besma specializes in strategic partnerships, sustainable growth, and navigating complex international markets. She is passionate about leveraging AI and emerging technologies to create value for both companies and individuals, while bridging the gap between developed and developing markets.Fluent in Arabic, English, German, Portuguese, and French — with basic knowledge of Japanese — Besma’s multicultural experience enables her to connect sectors and geographies, fostering global collaboration. 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

Your mind can be your most powerful tool or your greatest hurdle. In this talk, Laina takes you on her journey from being a timid young girl, forced to do Brazilian jiu-jitsu, to becoming a passionate, PANS International Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World Champion. Over time, Laina grew her mindset from victim to victor. Her transformative mindset proves that if you conquer your mind, you can accomplish anything. Fa’aolaina Avegalio is a dedicated and adventurous young lady whose drive has not only earned her distinguishable world titles but also cultivates her love of culture and the arts.One of Laina’s passions is the sport of Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu where she trains at Gracie Barra in Chandler Arizona. She has earned numerous titles such as IBJJF 2024 PANS World Champion, IBJJF 2-time National Champion, IBJJF 2-time European Champion and 2-time #1 world ranking. Some of her newer jiu-jitsu goals are completing the 2025 International Grand Slam, which includes titles in three different continents. More than earning these titles is the love of the growth she has experienced personally, and with her team. 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

Sarthak Mittal shares his rollercoaster journey of self-discovery, failures, and entrepreneurial success. He begins with his early struggles in academics, scoring 81.25 percentile, which led to pressure from his parents to focus on studies. However, his passion was in graphic design and entrepreneurship, but he faced constant resistance from his family. During 11th grade, a turning point came when he saw his mother making beautiful crafts, which sparked an idea to sell them online. Initially, he failed in the e-commerce market but pivoted to selling raw materials instead, which turned out to be a success. He experimented with buying clay for ₹5 and, using his graphic design skills and YouTube knowledge, sold it for ₹200, eventually making ₹2 lakh in profits. Despite this success, academic failure struck—he failed his math exam, his grandfather’s favorite subject. While his family supported him, he felt lost. Then came the COVID-19 era, which added more struggles, and after completing 12th grade, he was left wondering what next? Without many options, he opted for B.Tech, as MBA seemed like a distant dream. The first six months of college were great—he enjoyed coding and hackathons, but a visit to Mumbai changed his perspective. Seeing tall skyscrapers, he wondered about the wealthy business owners behind them. He realized that just coding wouldn’t get him there—he needed business acumen and vision. Sarthak then launched multiple startups, hiring eight co-founders, but they all failed terribly. He learned the hard way that self-development and networking were crucial. Determined to improve, he worked six months unpaid to gain experience, after which companies started approaching him for mentorship. Soon, prestigious colleges like IITs and IIMs invited him to mentor students about business, even though he was still an undergraduate. However, success came with criticism. After launching a failed business, he earned the reputation of a "bad CEO", despite his consulting company making clients huge profits. He even published a book in his college library, yet he felt unfulfilled. Reflecting on his Mumbai experience again, he asked himself: "Is the owner of those skyscrapers truly creating value for society?" This realization redefined his meaning of success—success is not just about personal achievements but about creating more successful people and adding value to society. He observed how the education industry operates as a business, where students are the product, parents are the investors, and the profits go to the industry. With this insight, he created Mittal Alliance, an initiative aimed at bridging the gap between academia and industry. Sarthak ends with four key lessons for aspiring leaders: 1. Be a Visionary – Great people have a big vision. 2. Self-Introspection – Don't overthink; take action and strive to be the best in the world. 3. Networking Skills – Connect with the right people in your industry. 4. Believe in Yourself – Society will criticize you, but stay determined and make it happen. His journey proves that failures are stepping stones to success, and true leadership is about empowering others and making a meaningful impact.Sarthak Mittal began his journey as a changemaker in class 11, overcoming social resistance to emerge as a youth leader. Now, as Chairman & CEO of Mittal Alliance India, he connects with 1.5M+ students on LinkedIn, providing insights into jobs, internships, and skills.With 4+ years as a social entrepreneur, he has impacted 50,000+ students through internships, job placements, and guidance. Leading 150+ seminars, he bridges academia and industry, sharing expertise through 50+ blogs, podcasts, and speeches.His initiatives, like the Mittal Innovators Network, connect students with mentors and real-world experiences. Aiming to empower 10 crore students in five years, Sarthak is a driving force in youth empowerment, inspiring students to dream big and lead boldly. 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