TEDxYouth@Toronto - Youth Reporter liveblog

Our world is constantly changing, moving forward in new directions, and innovating the way that we view life on this planet. Today at the Ontario Science Center, over 150 youth were inspired and enlightened on this very topic at the annual TEDxYouth@Toronto event. They were graced with speakers from many areas that gave 15 minute long ‘talks’ similar to those found at major TED conferences around the world. 

Students were first addressed by the 150th person in outer-space, a federal Member of Parliament, and great Canadian, Marc Garneau. He inspired all in attendance with his unique perspective on how space technology can aid in our preservation of the world we live in. 

Ryan Porter, a motivational speaker, was able to use life experiences to inspire and create real emotion in the audience. His funny stories, and innovative rhetoric allowed all to be inspired to not sit back, watch, and complain, but take action against things that we see are not right in this world. 

Natalie Panek, Missions Systems Engineer at MDA Space Missions, showed us just how possible it is to be an empowered woman who takes control of her life and challenges all status quo in pursuing her dreams. 

All the speakers, aspiring mathematician - Christian Olah, Partner and Co-founder of Spongelab Interactive - Jeremy Friedberg, Director of Global Engineering at the University of Toronto - Yu-Ling Cheng,  and innovator Rhit Ramchandani all gave the youth a way to enact their ideas in the world. TEDxYouth@Toronto was an expertly organized event that truly embodied the TED ideals, and allowed all those viewing to truly understand that they have the ability to idealize, act, and make positive change for the better in our world. 

The day revolved around the theme of (R)evolution, and all the talks focused on this topic. From all of the speeches it could have been gathered that everything starts with evolution, and things change when there is a revolution, and that the youth must be this revolution if they wish for this earth to continue. 

The day, full of inspiration and life changing words, I believe can be summed up in one statement made by Natalie Panek, that to change the world youth must start thinking, speaking, and acting like leaders. 

TEDxYouth@Toronto is part of the wider TEDxYouth movement, which aims to engage young people in these exact ideas, and it could not have been a bigger success. With great ideas, great strength, and great perseverance  the youth of today will change their world for the better, and at events like this, is where it all begins. 

The day is going on smoothly… Delegates are all involved! Check @joce_87 for up to the minute updates!

Hey there, if someone ever reads this! I am going to be live blogging at TEDxYouth@Toronto tomorrow!! I’ll give you up to date quotes, happenings, and everything TEDxYouth!