Through the remarkable story of Chinese immigrant Shou Woo, who transformed from an illiterate boy to a successful businessman in early 1900s Canada, Christopher MacLean's talk explores the power of “founded optimism” - a data-driven hope that acknowledges global progress while recognizing challenges, emphasizing how positive change happens through collaboration across cultures and generations. Chris MacLean is currently a Subject Area Learning Leader and Teacher at United World College Thailand.Canadian by birth he is a global citizen who has lived in 11 different countries over 33 years.Chris's diverse career spans military service as a Canadian Armed Forces Officer, a brief stint in Canadian politics, journalism with The Ottawa Citizen, and UN humanitarian reporting in Bangkok and Johannesburg. He spent five years leading Emzingo Group's South African operations before pivoting to education.His academic credentials include a BA from McGill University, a Master's in Global Politics from the London School of Economics, and a certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard.IB certified in multiple subjects, Chris has taught across three continents, bringing his global perspective to classrooms in Chile, South Africa, and Thailand. In 2023, Chris helped author the Oxford University Press Global Politics Online Textbook. 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