Have you ever felt the frustration of being left out of a decision that shaped your life. I can guarantee everyone in this audience has specific needs. You might want to adjust your posture, stretch your legs.You may take comfort in having your own seat, your own spot. You may even want to glance at someone nearby and share a comment. These are all natural impulses to move, to connect, to feel comfortable and secure.They can help give you a sense of belonging. I've been an educational researcher for almost ...

My comeback didn't begin in a stadium or at a life-changing conference. It began in aisle 5 of a Walgreens. It was a cold January day. I was picking up toothpaste, nursing a hangover again, clutching a coffee, and feeling the pain rock my brain from back to front. I studied myself. Shopping basket on my arm. The fluorescent lights a little too bright for me. Valentine's Day was around the corner, but I was worried about my friend Steve. He'd been acting erratically the night before, and I'd stepped in to ta ...

Core Argument - Preserving community culture is not about nostalgia or passively freezing traditions, but an active, everyday act of showing up, connecting, and caring for communities [3][4] - Fast-paced societies risk losing everyday culture in pursuit of progress, leading to cultural erosion, which is the fading of intangible practices [4][5][6] - Community provides identity, a sense of belonging, and resilience, making its preservation crucial [9][10][11] Key Actions for Preservation - Inquiry: Actively seeking out and recording the knowledge of elders, turning polite listening into active journalism [13][14] - Choice: Supporting local businesses and spaces (e g, wet markets, mama shops) over globalized options to sustain the community [17][18] - Bridging: Weaving traditional cultural elements into modern forms to ensure continuity and relevance across generations and borders [20][24] Examples and Illustrations - The speaker's youth network uses intergenerational programs to foster bonding between seniors and youth, preserving stories and wisdom [15][16] - Choosing local convenience shops (mama shops) over global chains can have a deeper impact on sustaining community spaces [18][19] - A performing arts collective introduces traditional Malay performing arts to children, making them interactive and accessible [21] - Food and clothing can serve as living bridges connecting people through memories and meaning, even across nations [23][24]

Key Takeaways - College experience can be isolating, with nearly 60% of students reporting feelings of loneliness [7] - Loneliness in college isn't just a statistic, it's a lived experience for many [7] - Connection isn't something that just happens, it's something that needs to be built through active participation [6][17] Actionable Steps - Reframing mindset and stepping into clubs and organizations can transform loneliness into real connection [6] - Actively joining spaces where one can make friends and experience campus life is crucial [11] - Building connection involves small steps like joining clubs, attending meetings, and initiating interactions [18][19] Personal Growth - Realizing that one's loneliness is their own responsibility is a turning point [8] - Taking intentional action and creating spaces for connection can transform loneliness [22] - Individuals have the power to make themselves seen and create their own unique experiences [21][22]

Core Concepts - The report explores the experience of living "in between" cultures and identities, focusing on the challenges and adaptations involved in finding happiness in new environments [1][2][5] - It introduces three concepts: liminality (the state of being in between identities), identity negotiation (adapting oneself in intercultural spaces), and code-switching (adjusting communication style) [2] - The speaker uses the analogy of cooking a traditional dish (Tavcha Grache) to illustrate these concepts, relating each ingredient and step to the experience of cultural adaptation [2] Personal Growth and Adaptation - The speaker shares personal experiences of adjusting to life in the US, highlighting differences in social interactions, relationships, and cultural norms [2][3][4] - The report emphasizes that nostalgia and moments of sadness are integral parts of the happiness-seeking process, not its opposite [5][6] - It highlights the importance of creating new rituals and finding joy in unexpected places, such as thrift stores and secondhand bookstores [6][7][8] Universal Themes - The feeling of being "not fully here or there" is presented as a universal experience, resonating with anyone who has felt like an outsider or has undergone significant life changes [5] - The report celebrates the resilience and adaptability of individuals who cross cultural boundaries to build new lives for themselves [11] - It frames happiness as an ongoing process of experimentation and adaptation, rather than a fixed destination or recipe [10][12]

Identity & Belonging - Accents carry assumptions about credibility, class, intelligence, and kindness, but can also be questioned and judged [2] - Belonging is complex and not as simple as one word, place, or passport [4] - Individuals with multicultural backgrounds often experience a sense of not fully belonging in any one place [6][13] - Identity is not a fixed thing but a tension and space in between different places and versions of oneself [14] - Home can be seen as the space between all the places one can't go back to [15] Language & Communication - People often make assumptions about others based on their accents and where they perceive them to be from [1] - Fluency in a language doesn't guarantee acceptance or a sense of belonging [9] - Code-switching, both linguistic and emotional, involves adapting one's voice and language to fit in, potentially leading to a loss of authenticity [12][13] - The world needs more honest voices, including those that are fractured, foreign, or fluent [25] - Belonging is a decision to show up with one's true voice, accent, and tone, even when the world demands silence [24]

I used to rehearse saying hello in my head before walking into a room. Not because I wanted to sound clever, but because I was terrified of getting it wrong. My heart would race, my hands would sweat.and every word felt like a test I was bound to fail. >> My name is Joanna Kashoka and for years I have lived with social anxiety silently. Today I want to talk about what that silence cost us and what happens when we start giving social anxiety a voice.When I was little, I was told I was too smart for my class, ...

Core Argument - Embracing uncertainty and cultivating bravery are essential for personal growth and maximizing human potential [1] - The overemphasis on creating "safe spaces" has paradoxically led to increased anxiety, loneliness, and feelings of helplessness [1][2] - Shifting one's identity to one of bravery fosters connection, collaboration, and the ability to positively impact the world [2][5] Key Concepts - **Safe Spaces vs Brave Spaces:** Safe spaces, while intending to protect from harm, can hinder connection and create dependence, while brave spaces encourage courage and compassion [1][5] - **Alignment of Purpose, Identity, and Activity:** Aligning these three elements is crucial for achieving personal fulfillment and maximizing potential [1][11] - **The Power of Connection:** Human beings are built for connection, and isolation can be detrimental to well-being [2][10] Practical Application - **The Head Nod:** A simple act of acknowledging another person through eye contact, a nod, and a smile can foster connection and create a sense of belonging [6][7] - **Non-Verbal Communication:** Non-verbal cues account for 55% of communication, highlighting the importance of actions like the head nod [9][12] - **Impact on Others:** By embracing bravery and letting one's light shine, individuals unconsciously give others permission to do the same [4]

Education & Inclusion - Education is not just about learning, but about fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion [3] - True education involves knowledge transforming from the head to the heart and then into action [3] - Equitable opportunity is essential for complete belonging, highlighting the importance of inclusion in education [4] Societal Impact of Education - One person's education contributes to national transformation and societal development [3] - Education determines not only income but also self-worth and participation in civic life [4] - Individual contributions to education can lead to rapid national development [7] Challenges in Education - Unequal opportunities and facilities exist for teachers, impacting the quality of education [5] - Education is divided by wealth, language, and privilege, hindering inclusion [4] - Some areas still debate the necessity of education for girls, and schools lack basic resources [4] Individual Responsibility in Education - Everyone can be a teacher by sharing knowledge and skills daily [6][7] - Development and transformation come from learning from the heart, not just formal education [9] - Individuals have the power to think and contribute to positive change [10]

[Music] [Applause] My name is Admiad Kun, an English teacher, and you will never guess where I grew up. Shakespeare walk. So, I'm sure we can all agree that I was destined for literary greatness.Now, despite my loud proclamation of my name this evening, admittedly, it was once a source of embarrassment. I was born and raised in London to a Nigerian father and a Cameroonian mother who migrated to the United Kingdom in the 1980s. This makes me a first generation British individual.My parents were proud of the ...