Rethinking Systems: Justice, Learning, and Belonging
LANNA recently hosted its first-ever TEDxYouth event! It was an inspiring celebration of student voice, creativity, and courage. Held in Demuth Hall, the event brought our school community together to hear five powerful talks from LANNA students on topics that matter deeply to them—and to all of us.
Each talk explored how the systems we live in—laws, schools, cultures, and communities—shape who we are and how we grow. More importantly, our speakers asked: How can we do better? How can we rebuild, rethink, and reimagine these systems to create a fairer, more connected, more compassionate world?
Whether it was questioning juvenile justice, improving how we learn, or sparking change through volunteering, these talks invited us to think deeper, act boldly, and reflect on our role in shaping the future.
Here we breakdown each talk:
Rebuilding Concentration: How Can Schools Help?
Speaker: Michelle (Year 11)
Michelle, a LANNA student since Year 2, overcame her fear of public speaking to take the TEDx stage with confidence and clarity. In this insightful talk, she examined the growing challenge of maintaining focus in today’s digital world, where dopamine-driven distractions from social media are impacting students’ ability to concentrate.
Michelle proposed practical, school-based strategies to help restore focus—such as scheduled breaks for movement, mindfulness practices, and interactive learning. Her message was clear: when schools support student wellbeing, focus and learning can thrive.
From Fair Play to Fair Trial: Why Rules Matter
Speaker: Archie (Year 11)
Archie, a passionate student with a deep interest in law and justice, explored how the rules that govern our games and our societies share a common thread: fairness. From the living room to the courtroom, rules protect the vulnerable and create order—but only if they are applied justly.
Drawing parallels between UNO games and legal systems, Archie highlighted the importance of evolving laws and fair enforcement. With a call to integrity and leadership, he challenged young people to choose what is right over what is easy.
Justice Thrives Where We Unite: The Power of Youth Volunteerism
Speaker: Anita (Year 11)
Anita, an active LANNA student and dedicated community volunteer, used her talk to explore how youth can drive real change through volunteerism. Reflecting on a student-led project she organised to support a local child development centre, Anita emphasised the role of empathy, listening, and cultural sensitivity in creating impact.
Her slogan—“lending a hand, touching a heart, encouraging choice”—captured the essence of her message: young people aren’t just future leaders, but current change-makers. By acting with compassion and purpose, they can transform lives and redefine justice at the grassroots level.
A Sorry Won’t Cut It: How Juvenile Law Protects the Guilty
Speaker: Nora (Year 11)
As Vice President of LANNA’s student-led public speaking club, LIPSO, Nora brought confidence and insight to her challenging topic: juvenile justice. Her talk questioned the assumption that age always equals innocence and examined how current systems may fail victims while shielding repeat youth offenders.
Using real-world examples and legal comparisons, Nora advocated for aligning the age of criminal responsibility with other legal standards, calling for greater accountability and fairness in how we treat serious juvenile crime. A powerful perspective from a young voice poised to shape future legal discourse.
Validation: The Mirror We Perform For
Speaker: Tealc (Year 11)
Tealc, a multi-talented performer and public speaker, delivered a compelling exploration of our modern dependence on external validation. Blending insights from psychology and philosophy, he traced the roots of our craving for approval—from ancient survival instincts to today’s social media-driven culture.
His talk offered a hopeful alternative: cultivating internal validation through self-awareness and compassion. In a world obsessed with likes and applause, Tealc reminded us that authenticity begins when we value ourselves from within.
A Night to Remember
Congratulations to all the speakers, organisers, staff, and supporters who made TEDxYouth@LANNAIntlSchool a success. Hosting an official TEDx event is no small task—and this inaugural evening proved what’s possible when students are given the space to share their stories and shape the world with their ideas.
