In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

BISZ International School Shenzhen
Xingong Road, Nanshan District
3rd
Shenzhen, Guangdong, 51800
China

Beck Yang

Student

I am Beck, currently studying at BASIS International School in my junior year. I have been in this large community for 10 years. Verbal communication is always the first priority at our school; we have unique policies regarding speaking English. It is my honor to represent our school as one of the speakers for the TEDx speech. Besides doing speeches, I am also interested in debate, basketball, running, etc. My speech is actually about my experiences with ADHD and how I view this disorder in a positive way. I hope to help other people better understand this condition in China and how it can be regulated.

Charles Xu

Student

Charles is a senior at BASIS International School Shenzhen. He serves as the captain of the school’s Speech and Debate Team, Mock Trial Club, and Model United Nations Club. Being an avid member of these activities, he has developed confidence, critical thinking skills, and the commitment to translating knowledge into impact. In academics, he primarily focuses on utilizing data science tools for the analysis of sociological, cultural, and policy-related issues. In the past, he has conducted communication and racial studies research in China and Kenya, where the outcomes have been respectively published in a Scopus-indexed journal, Cogent Social Sciences, and an international NGO, China Global Dialogue. He is also an enthusiast in various pursuits, including community service, tennis, strategic and first person shooting video games, Chinese and international cuisines, as well as the circadian phase of reduced consciousness (i.e. sleep).

Edric Wang

Student

Edric Wang is an introspective nerd with a tendency to overthink literally everything. He loves chess (though he’s tragically bad at it), music, politics, and ducks. Yes, actual ducks. A social sciences sophomore at BASIS International School Shenzhen, Edric’s especially into political science, international relations, and asking deep questions like whether Nietzsche would’ve vibed with r/existentialism. When he’s not cramming for an AP Physics 2 exam, you’ll find him writing random prose or watching YouTube videos that give him an existential crisis right before bed. He used to play the oboe (because, of course, he did) and proudly claims to have a “refined” taste in classical music—self-proclaimed, obviously. A game controller is never far away from him, always ready for him to sneak around as a stealth archer in Skyrim. Basically, if a philosopher, a duck, and a video game controller teamed up for some weird, awkward reason, their team name would be Edric.

Emily Zhou

Student

I'm Emily, a rising senior at BISZ. Since I was 4, I've been passionate about character and fashion design, music, and dancing. I've practiced Chinese classical dance for over 12 years, later discovered a love for jazz, and started a cheerleading team. Inside of school, I’m an active participant in speech and debate, mock trial, winning TOC ASIA invitational in Public Forum, at the same time serving as a NHS leader and committee leader, organizing various school activities. Growing up in a family where legal discussions on social and political issues were a constant, I became aware of society's darker side, silenced and avoided, so close to us. I realized that a dystopia isn't something forced on us—it’s something we’re taught. Through this TEDx talk, I hope to break the silence around the lack of sexual education and victim support. After an assault, the choices should never be ‘marriage or suicide.’ Instead, they should have access to education, support, and the freedom to heal.

Gavin Liu

Student

Yuze (Gavin) Liu is a senior at BASIS International School Shenzhen, with a keen interest in history and politics. He has conducted extensive research on modern Chinese history, focusing particularly on the Xinhai Revolution. He also conducted research on the role of social media in government manipulation and the Russia-Ukraine War. In addition to his academic pursuits, Gavin enjoys playing golf and basketball and exploring comedy. During this TED Talk, he will discuss the phenomenon of democratic erosion occurring worldwide and its implications for both society as a whole and individuals like us.

Teresa Suen

Student

Teresa Suen, a 10th grader who balances a life filled with academics, passions, and quiet self reflection, goes everywhere: from drawing in art class to speaking on stage, then spiking a volleyball while secretly thinking about math problems in the back of her mind. Often the first to arrive at school and the last to leave, she’s also been known to be chased out by teachers at the end of the day. As an active NHS member, she pushes herself not just because she has to, but because she believes that progress starts with effort. Teresa spends most of her time studying, especially History, which is her weakest subject but has taught her the most about resilience. She describes herself as someone who might seem like a robot sometimes, but inside, she is someone growing, questioning, and slowly understanding that success isn’t just about grades. Teresa expresses her voice through TEDx, not as a perfect student, but as someone learning how to take control of her own story.

Vicky Li

Student

Vicky Li is currently a Year 10 student studying at BASIS International School Shenzhen with a passion for law, criminology, and politics. She likes to dedicate her time to speech and debate tournaments, specifically participating in events such as impromptu, public forum, and extemporaneous speaking. She founded the Mock Trial team in her school and enjoys leading teams to compete in competitions. Through these activities, she has developed a strong interest in argumentation, critical thinking, and the intricacies of legal frameworks. She is also deeply fascinated by dystopian literature and would spend hours unraveling the philosophies behind imagined societies and questioning the fine line between control and chaos. Vicky’s TEDx talk will teach you how the themes of justice, power, and resistance found in dystopian fiction can reflect — and even predict — the challenges of our real-world legal and political systems.