Ideas Change Everything
Ideas Change Everything
Congratulations to the Selected Main Event Speakers!
1. Cecilia Hoo Ruo Xuan – From Borrowing to Owning It
2. Chan Yik Sheng – Escaping the Cycle of Overthinking
3. Elena Lim Yi Qin – What Adults Can Learn from Kids
4. Gaveesh Deepak – How a Kid Sees the World
5. Lim Yu Chern – The Quiet Weight: Rethinking Peer Pressure in the Digital Age
6. Marcus Lim Jun Hao – Why Do We Fear Snakes
7. Ng Ethan – A Stray’s Life
8. Pok Zhe Xuan – “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! We are Experiencing Severe Turbulence
9. Queenie Wong En Lee – The Importance of Failure
10. Teh Thien Ya – Why Kids Deserve MORE Gadget Time!
11. Thun Ying Qian – Friends Who Clap When You Fail
12. Kor Hao Yi – The Journey of An ADHD Child Becoming an Excellent Reader
For Our Main Event Speakers:
✅ Chosen speakers will receive 2 FREE tickets to the Main Event (for parents or guardians).
✅ Speakers do NOT need to purchase a ticket—they will be taking the stage, not sitting in the audience!
Limited Tickets Available – Get Yours Now!
With only a small number of tickets on sale, they’re selling fast! Secure your spot to witness these amazing young speakers in action.
Speaker's List & Profile
TOPIC: HELP! I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND ADULTS!
Hi! I’m Cayla, and I’m 8 years old. I run Sparkles by Cayla, where I sell popcorn and design crystals bracelets to add a little sparkle to the world. Look, kids can do big things. I won the Zebra Pitch 2024 at age 7, standing tall amongst university students and adults! Competitions aside, I like starting businesses, asking important questions, and convincing adults that broccoli is unnecessary. When I’m not working on my next big idea, you can find me eating chocolate, building pillow forts, and figuring out how to make the world a little more fun!
TOPIC: HOW A SIMPLE QUESTION AT 6 SPARKED A BILLION VIEWS BY 10 YEARS OLD!
Yumi is a 10-year-old content creator, entrepreneur, and innovator with a passion for making a difference. She began her content creation journey at just 7 years old, growing her audience to over 1 million followers across social media and earning YouTube’s Silver Play Button.
Beyond content creation, Yumi is the founder of Onboard, an app designed to improve the school bus system—helping kids travel safely while giving parents peace of mind. Her initiative has earned her the Champion title in the Goodday Kidstart 2.0 Kid Entrepreneur Award and the Best Creativity Award in Vilor Pitching 2024.
A naturally curious and active learner, Yumi explores diverse interests, from music and martial arts to coding and language studies. She has also won multiple contests—using her creativity to fund her own learning journey.
With a mindset of exploration and innovation, Yumi continues to push boundaries, proving that age is never a limit to making an impact.
TOPIC: AS A CHILD, I BELIEVED I COULD DO ANYTHING—THEN I GREW UP
Karen Chew is a worldschooler, author, and entrepreneur, best known as Malaysia’s Youngest Book Author (Malaysia Book of Records, 2023). Her work has been featured in Free Malaysia Today, eNanyang, Daily Express, LiteFM Breakfast Show, SCMP Hong Kong, 品 Prestige Magazine, and Forbes Japan.
At 8 years old, Karen published her first book, What Can an 8-Year-Old Tell You?, a collection of her life experiences and philosophies. This achievement also earned her the title of Youngest Non-Fiction Published Author in Malaysia (Youth Achievement Records). As of March 2025, she remains the youngest record holder of the Youth Achievement Record.
Now, at 12 years old, she is writing her second book, “Now I Am 12”, a reflection on childhood and the transition into adolescence.
Beyond writing, Karen is the founder of KaTY Bear, a business dedicated to helping children and adults find courage and overcome fear.
Through her books, business, and speaking, she is dedicated to empowering people of all ages with hope and courage.
TOPIC: FROM WHY TO WOW-THE MAGIC OF CURIOSITY
Callum – winner of the YEX 2021 at the age of 9, winner of Zebra Pitch 2023 at age 11, the founder of Callum’s Closet where he hand-draws tote bags, promoter of sustainability and reducer of plastic waste! He believes the most powerful tool we have is a simple question: WHY.
Driven by curiosity, he challenges the way we see fashion and waste, turning questions into creative solutions. With wit and determination, he inspires others to rethink, reimagine, and make a difference—one “why” at a time ages with hope and courage.
TOPIC: I’M ALONE-BUT I’M NOT LONELY. GEN Z
Joe Chew is a multi-award-winning youth leader, ocean conservationist, and innovator shaping the future of sustainability and technology.
At just 15, he holds the Youth Achievement Record (2024) and has been appointed as a Global Teen Ocean Ambassador (Manta Trust UK) and the first Global Student Ambassador to the Oceans (ME2WE Fashion).
A passionate ocean conservationist since age eight, Joe has been actively involved in coral reef mapping projects, community campaigns, environmental showcases, drone piloting, and public speaking to drive change.
Beyond conservation, Joe is an emerging expert in 3D modeling and rapid prototyping, collaborating with corporations and training international students to build sustainable innovations.
Blending science, fashion, and storytelling, he has designed for celebrity projects, emceed global events, and been featured on ARCHIDEX 2023, LiteFM Breakfast Show, YEX, Goodday Kidstart, Zebra Pitch Thailand, and more.
Having only joined formal education at age ten, Joe’s worldschooling experience has given him a unique perspective on learning and life. In a world of uncertainty, Joe chooses hope over fear—transforming challenges into opportunities to contribute to a better future every day in whatever way he can.
Website: www.joechew.com
TOPIC: THE JOURNEY OF AN ADHD CHILD BECOMING AN EXCELLENT READER
Meet Hao Yi, a 7-year-old from Klang. When he’s not busy with his homework, he loves reading, playing Lego, and exploring new things. Hao Yi is a champion at his school’s English Story Telling Competition and he wish to participate in Mandarin story telling competition one day. His friends would describe him as a curious, adventurous, playful, and joyful person. Hao Yi believes that a day without laughter is a day wasted.
TOPIC: FROM BORROWING TO OWNING IT
Cecilia, a driven and passionate 15-year-old student with an unwavering love for learning.
From a young age, her dedication to education was so strong that she would become visibly upset if she had to miss school—even for travel.
Beyond academics, Cecilia is an accomplished cheerleader, playing a key role in her team’s success in competitions. She is also progressing in ice skating, where she continually pushes herself to improve.
While she hasn’t launched her own business just yet, Cecilia recently joined XPRIZE, a global platform dedicated to solving the world’s most pressing challenges through innovation.
Through her diverse experiences, Cecilia has developed a strong sense of determination, discipline, and self-confidence. She hopes to inspire others to push forward—whether in academics, sports, or simply by staying true to themselves.
TOPIC: ESCAPING THE CYCLE OF OVERTHINKING
Chan Yiksheng is a 16-year-old motivational speaker, community leader, and content creator who is passionate about helping young people break free from the mental trap of overthinking. A passionate speedcuber ranked in the top 200 nationally in Malaysia , Yiksheng was also a former MSL 2×2 single record holder and placed in the Top 3 best newcomers at the Beaconhouse Malaysia Cube Open 2023.
His love for cubing reflects his drive for perseverance and overcoming challenges, values he shares through his motivational work. Running @ysmotivate , an Instagram platform, Yiksheng empowers teens with daily motivational quotes and insights to manage emotions and build mental resilience. As a member of both the Interact Club and Legenz Club, he focuses on helping kids and teenagers break free from negative environments and create positive change.
Yiksheng’s mission is simple: empower youth to escape overthinking, build resilience, and grow through perseverance. His story of growth and sportsmanship makes him an inspiring voice for change.
TOPIC: THE QUIET WEIGHT. RETHINKING PEER PRESSURE IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Lim Yu Chern, Rene is a passionate 15-year-old student and the founder of the Sri Emas school’s debate club. She originally started as president, but decided to take a step back and let someone with less experience lead the club. She now holds the position of a ‘consultant’. A skilled communicator, Rene has competed in the World Scholars Cup (WSC), where she managed to make it to the Tournament of Champions. With a grade 6 certification in Communication Skills from Trinity College, Rene continues to build her expertise in effective and impactful communication. She is also a triathlete and has been competing in competitions from the age of 6.
TOPIC: MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY, WE ARE FACING SEVERE TURBULENCE
Hi my name is Karl, 16 this year with an incredible love for aviation. At the same time, I also love to study things about medicine, specifically Cardiology, Oncology, and Anesthesiology. Not just that, I also enjoy music, normally vocals due to me being a pure baritone. When it comes to critical thinking, I’m the guy to look for. If you’re stuck on a Chemistry question, just message me. When it comes to aviation, same thing or hook me up. I’m the man gifted with critical mind blowing thinking skills and anti-stage fright. So remember, if you have a question, hook me up. Just don’t mess up my name with Car or Cow.
TOPIC: WHAT IS “FAILURE” TO A KID
Queenie Wong En Lee is a bright and ambitious 11-year-old striving for excellence in both academics and the arts. A top scorer in Year 2, 4, and 5, Queenie’s dedication to learning is matched by her passion for storytelling—she published her first book at just 8 years old and her second by the age of 10.
Beyond academics, Queenie is a talented performer, dancing as part of an elite dance team and even appearing in the music video ABC by Malaysia’s popular YouTube entertainers, 3P. She is also a skilled pianist, having achieved Grade 6 in piano. With her drive and creativity, Queenie continues to inspire those around her.
TOPIC: WHY KIDS DESERVE MORE GADGET TIME!
A lively and charismatic storyteller, Teh Thien Ya brings a unique perspective shaped by her bubbly personality and witty humour. A self-declared vegetarian and firm believer that one must go through the rain to see the sunlight. She embraces challenges with resilience and optimism.
Her passion for words and expression has earned her multiple accolades, including runner-up for SEGi University & College English Speech Competition and two-time 2nd runner-up in the MicFront Annual Public Speaking Contest. With her engaging presence and thought-provoking insights, she’s here to inspire, entertain, and challenge the way we see the world.
TOPIC: FRIENDS WHO CLAP WHEN YOU FAIL
Thun Ying Qian is a aspiring performer with a love for music and acting. Ironically, she once disliked participating in activities like these—but as she grew, she found inspiration in the people around her and her idols, sparking a deep love for the stage. She took her first step into the spotlight at just 5 years old as a vocalist and even experienced the thrill of busking. Since the age of 8, she has honed her skills as a public speaking and drama student, competing in multiple performances and competitions. She acted as Darth Vader in Malaysia Book of Records Star Wars Fan Charity 2023. Beyond the stage, she is also a state-level poomsae athlete. Through these invaluable experiences, she has built confidence and resilience. Now, at TEDx, she hopes to connect with the audience through real and relatable stories—encouraging reflection and leaving a lasting impact.
TOPIC: BEING A KID IS A SUPERPOWER!
Gaveesh is a curious explorer of both the world and the universe. He is already charting his own course—whether it’s discovering new places while traveling, mastering a new song on the piano, or devouring mozzarella sticks like they’re going out of style.
Gaveesh likes a challenge, and he taught himself to play La Campanella by Franz Liszt on the piano at just 8 years old – using muscle memory alone (because why not?). His drive for excellence doesn’t stop there; at 10, he won 1st Runner-Up in the Tweens Category of the Young Entrepreneur X Factor, snagging some awesome prizes along the way!
Gaveesh enjoys gaming and can be found creating gaming videos, strumming away on his guitar, or diving into the mysteries of space (he’s convinced that aliens are real). A firm believer that the sky is NOT the limit, Gaveesh is ready to take on the TEDx Youth stage with the same energy he brings to every adventure—whether it’s a new chord, a new level, or a new planet to explore.
TOPIC: WHAT ADULTS CAN LEARN FROM KIDS
Elena, a vibrant and creative 9-year-old with a heart full of joy and imagination. Outspoken and confident, she shares her thoughts and ideas with a smile. Elena’s sweet personality shines through in her love for art and drawing, where she expresses her creativity and unique perspective on the world. Whether she’s sketching her latest masterpiece or daydreaming about new art projects, Elena combines her love for creativity with her kind heart, making her an unforgettable and inspiring friend.
TOPIC: A STRAY’S LIFE
Hello, I’m Ng Ethan! I have a deep passion for cooking, finding joy in making dishes that bring smiles on peoples faces. Beyond the kitchen, I’m dedicated to martial arts, particularly Taekwondo. I’m currently a red belt, working hard to earn my black belt this year. I’m a naturally sociable person who enjoys meeting new people, having fun, and sharing ideas. At the same time, I believe being a good listener is just as important, so I always try to be someone others can talk to. In my free time, you’ll probably find me online gaming with friends, especially on Valorant and Roblox. It’s another way I love to connect, strategize, and just have a good time.
TOPIC: WHY DO WE FEAR SNAKES
Marcus Lim, 12, is a young naturalist and Citizen Scientist passionate about turning fear into curiosity. From studying fireflies to handling snakes, his journey began at five in Bukit Kiara, where he discovered the power of knowledge in changing perceptions. Now an environmental advocate and nature guide, Marcus hopes to inspire others to see the beauty and importance of Malaysia’s wildlife.
“Darling never mind what you think. LISTEN we are trying to teach you!”
My mother said it. My School teachers said it. All grown-up authorities of any kind- the policeman, the druggist said it. “THINKING” was considered to be a process that is only teachable by the elders of the system “That is why we have schools, dear.”…..
Knowing that my mother and relatives loved me, I did my best not to pay attention to my own thinking……
Critical Path by R. Buckminster Fuller
Sometimes, all it takes is an idea to change the world
Kids Can Think!
Teens Can Inspire!
At TEDx Dwi Emas Youth, we give young people a dynamic platform to share their unique ideas and perspectives with a receptive audience. They are encouraged not only to articulate what they are passionate about but also to explore the values, beliefs, and insights that shape their viewpoints. This open exchange of ideas cultivates an environment where students learn to appreciate diverse perspectives, engage in meaningful discussions, and approach issues with empathy and curiosity – they become more thoughtful and discerning thinkers, equipped with the ability to identify important issues, analyze different angles, and develop creative, impactful solutions.
TEDx DWI EMAS YOUTH AUDITION DETAILS – KID’S IN-SIGHT
1. TIME SLOTS & SESSIONS
The audition schedule has been released. You can find them via the button below
Please note that the exact Time Slot within your Session may vary by ±5–10 minutes due to potential technical adjustments.
2. REGISTRATION
Location: 2nd Floor, Dwi Emas International School (Activity Room 1 – AR1)
To ensure a smooth registration process, please bring your Invoice with your Order Number. This invoice was sent to your email upon purchasing your Audition Ticket.
If you have not received your invoice, kindly contact:
📞 Mr. Amos Tan | 012-208-9443
3. PRESENTATION SLIDES
• The use of slides is OPTIONAL—there is NO PENALTY for presenting without them.
• Accepted file formats: PPT and PPTX formats only
• Submission: Please email your slides to tedx@aceedventure.com
• File Naming Format: Session # – Auditioner’s Full Name
e.g., Session 3 – Amos Tan Yu Tsen
• As a precaution, we recommend bringing a thumb drive with your slides.
4. CURATION CRITERIA
• Auditioners will be evaluated chiefly on the insightfulness of their content, everything else is secondary.
• There is only 1 technical requirement – adherence to the speech time limit.
• Maximum 5 minutes for participants ages 7 to 12
• Maximum 7 minutes for participants ages 13-17
5. POST-AUDITION PROCESS
• The Curator’s Selections will be announced by March 8th on our website.
• Auditioners whose speech has been selected will be contacted directly by the organisers.
We look forward to your participation and the inspiring ideas you will share. Please contact Mr. Amos Tan at 012-208-9443 if you need any assistance.
TEDx Dwi Emas Youth Main Event
Young Minds, Big Insights
- Participants are required to pay RM80 for the event ticket.
- Payment is via our official e-commerce platform – ACE Market Store
- Date: 22nd March 2025 (Saturday)
- Time: 12:00pm – 4:30pm
- Venue: Theatre Room (Level 3) – Dwi Emas International School
Important Remarks:
- Chosen speakers will receive 2 FREE tickets to the Main Event (for parents or guardians).
- Speakers DO NOT need to purchase a ticket—they will be taking the stage, not sitting in the audience!
- Limited Tickets Available – Get Yours Now! With only a small number of tickets on sale, they’re selling fast! Secure your spot to witness these amazing young speakers in action.
VIDEO SUBMISSION FOR FEEDBACK
Dear Auditioners,
We, the organisers of TEDx Dwi Emas Youth, are delighted to have you participate in the upcoming auditions. To support you in your preparation, we are offering the opportunity for feedback on your speech as you get ready for the audition on the 1st of March.
Please note that our role as organisers is solely to provide constructive feedback. We are not involved in the speech curation or selection process nor are we involved with the speech curator’s decisions. Our aim is to help you refine and strengthen your speech before your audition.
From the 15th of January 2025 to the 15th of February 2025, you are welcome to record a video of yourself delivering your speech. Send that video recording to tedx@aceedventure.com and we will review your submission and provide feedback to assist you in your preparation.
Wishing you all the best as you prepare for your audition!
The Organisers
FAQ
It means that the speech must be entirely original. The content MUST exclusively be the auditioner’s own crafted content. All material presented must be the auditioner’s own work. TEDx Dwi Emas Youth is a platform for sharing innovative ideas, aligning with TED’s theme that Ideas Change Everything. It is not merely a public speaking platform but a space to share authentic perspectives. It is ill-advised to have someone else write the speech on the auditioner’s behalf.
Nevertheless, have these few questions in mind when writing your speech:
1. What is the message of the speech?
2. What emotions will the speech evoke?
3. Will the speech keep people interested?
4. Are the claims in the speech supported by evidence?
Auditioners only need to purchase an Audition Ticket. Successful auditioners will receive free entry to the Main Event as speakers, along with 2 free Main Event Tickets for both parents. Main Event Tickets can be purchased by anyone if they want to attend the Main Event.
Well, for now, prepare for the auditions by writing up an insightful speech in keeping with the Theme: Kids In-Sight. Feel free to download our Speaker’s Guide for tips and inspiration.
On audition day, there will be multiple sessions. Keep an eye on your email or check in at this website every now and then. We’ll be sending and posting updates closer to the date on the exact session of your audition.
The Audition Event details are:
📅 Date: 1st March 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Venue: Dwi Emas International School, Shah Alam
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to bring your Invoice with your Order Number for a smooth registration process! The Invoice is sent to your email after your purchase of the Audition Ticket. If you did not receive your Invoice, please reach out to us by:
Phone: 012-208-9443 (Mr. Amos Tan)
Email: tedx@aceedventure.com
We will be sending updates via email to those who have purchased tickets. If you didn’t receive the email updates, don’t worry, we will post updates right here on this website.
If you have further questions, you can always reach out to us by:
Phone: 012-208-9443 (Mr. Amos Tan)
Email: tedx@aceedventure.com
