Theme: Building Bridges

The concept of building bridges holds profound significance within our UWC experience. The UWC network spans continents, each school infused with its unique cultural context, and our campus embodies this rich diversity, with students hailing from all corners of the globe.

We recognize the richness that diverse perspectives bring to our learning community, and through TEDx UWCEA Youth, we aim to extend these bridges of dialogue, sharing powerful ideas that represent our broad range of social, cultural, and economic backgrounds.

It is the dialogues that we engage in and the collective strength we gain from celebrating our differences that reflect our commitment to addressing global challenges through collaboration.

We invite you to take up this theme as a call to action and to contribute your ideas and experiences that exemplify the concept of building bridges.

Celebrating Differences, Envisioning Equity, and Realising Inclusion.

UWC East Africa — Arusha Campus
P.O.Box 2691 Dodoma Road, Kisongo Arusha, Tanzania
Kisongo, Arusha, 2691
Tanzania

Angel Keziah Ruharuza

Angel Keziah Ruharuza, at just 16, fearlessly embraces challenges, particularly in public speaking. While she may lack formal accolades, her strong opinions and unwavering willpower fuel her endeavors. Actively participating in Model United Nations has honed her ability to articulate her thoughts effectively, while her engagement in student government prepares her to confidently address larger audiences. As vice-captain of her house, she showcases her leadership qualities and commitment to making her voice heard. Angel's journey exemplifies her resilience and determination to succeed in areas where accolades may be scarce, making her a formidable force in public speaking and beyond.

Arsine Mkrtchyan

Arsine Mkrtchyan, an 18-year-old student, has a deep passion for public speaking and engaging with diverse audiences. She has showcased her versatility by delivering speeches on various topics in both Armenian and English. Since age 12, her participation in poetry competitions has enhanced her speech development and audience engagement skills, competing in Armenian, Russian, and English. Notably, she won a Special Prize for Armenian poetry in 2016 and secured 1st place for Russian poetry in 2018. From 2017 to 2021, she consistently reached the finals in English LIT poetry competitions. Arsine’s dedication to speech and poetry reflects her commitment to effective communication and artistic expression.

Dhanashree Birajdar

Dhanashree Birajdar is a passionate advocate for education reform and youth empowerment. As a student speaker, she has delivered impactful talks on "Reimagining Education" at the UN Youth Conclave in Mumbai and addressed an audience at the Akanksha Gala in New York. Her contributions to the field have earned her recognition as a "Student Education Revolutionary" twice at the Kids Education Revolution global conference in Mumbai. Actively involved with prominent non-profit organizations in India, including Teach For India and The Akanksha Foundation, Dhanashree is dedicated to educational initiatives and reform. She conducts student-led workshops for teachers globally, aiming to transform educational practices. Furthermore, she actively participates in national and global events, constantly seeking opportunities to exchange ideas and learn from diverse perspectives.

Emily Inez Tacey

Emily Inez Tacey is a passionate reader with a particular fondness for historical fiction and poetry. Her enduring love for reading has enabled her to embark on a remarkable journey, exploring diverse cultures and gaining a deep understanding of different life experiences. As a talented writer, she actively contributes her own stories to the school journal. Before joining UWC, Emily focused on humanitarian subjects, with a special emphasis on literature and history. She actively participated in dynamic literature classes, engaging in thoughtful group discussions and reflections on various literary works. Emily's profound love for the written word, along with her dedication to literature and history, makes her a passionate advocate for the power of education and storytelling in fostering understanding and empathy among people from diverse backgrounds.

Heena Mohamedayaaz Suleman

Heena passionately embraces learning and personal growth, showcasing her dedication to acquiring knowledge. Her enthusiasm for the medical field shines through her extensive reading of medical literature. With a strong work ethic, Heena approaches all tasks with determination and a commitment to excellence. She adeptly adapts to new concepts and applies them effectively. Engaging actively in extracurricular activities, she has earned recognition as a Rise for the World Finalist in 2023 and has received several best delegate awards at conferences. Heena is also a staunch advocate for diversity and inclusivity, fostering open-mindedness and respect among her peers.

Juanita Muigai

Juanita's journey highlights her exceptional dedication to intellectual pursuits, as demonstrated by her participation in the World Scholars Cup, where she reached the Tournament of Champions, and her distinguished performance in the Model United Nations at Arusha, where she earned an Award of Commendation. Recognized for her writing skills with a prize in the national competition eKitabu, she showcases her commitment to excellence on every stage she steps onto through her active pursuit of knowledge.

Lilian Siegl

Lilian's upbringing in Vienna was challenging, marked by bullying and her parents' divorce, yet she found comfort in her close bond with her sister. A pivotal exchange year in Spain allowed her to embrace independence and overcome mental health struggles and social anxiety. Upon returning to Vienna, she actively engaged in political activism, participating in protests and advocating for causes she is passionate about. She also founded an environmental club at her high school, demonstrating her commitment to positive change within her community. Lilian's journey reflects resilience and personal growth, showcasing how her experiences shaped her into a dedicated advocate for meaningful change.

Mathieu Dacruz

Mathieu Dacruz, a dedicated advocate for climate action and education, highlights the urgent need for youth engagement in addressing climate issues. Drawing from his experiences, including receiving the Commonwealth Points of Light Award for establishing a school network in Mauritius and serving as a youth delegate at major UN climate conferences, Mathieu emphasizes the importance of authentic activism over careerism. He encourages young people to stay grounded in their convictions and to discern genuine opportunities from those that merely seek to tokenize youth involvement. By fostering meaningful connections and mobilizing grassroots initiatives, Mathieu believes the youth can drive significant change for a sustainable future.

Nojus Adote

Nojus Adote is a collaborative leader known for his dedication to working with individuals from diverse backgrounds. He previously served as a youth coordinator with the Red Cross in his hometown, demonstrating his commitment to humanitarian efforts. As a member of Team Europe Junior, an initiative of the European Commission Representative in Lithuania, he actively engaged at a regional level. Nojus fearlessly embraces public speaking, having served as his school's president, showcasing his confidence and leadership skills. He is passionate about volunteering as the student lead for the KCMC CAS service in Moshi, where he supports children in need. Additionally, he serves as the executive leader of the cultural and campus committee at his school, helping shape its culture alongside a team of six. Nojus excels in debating, having received multiple accolades in Model United Nations conferences, including "Best Position Paper" and "Best Delegate" awards during his D1 year. He is eager to share his insights and experiences, reflecting his unwavering commitment to fostering understanding and positive change within the UWC community and beyond.

Zeynep Dila Avci

Zeynep Dila Avci is a remarkable individual who, originally from Turkey, began a transformative journey of adaptation and cultural fusion when her family moved to Montreal, Canada, at the age of 13. Within her first year in Canada, she mastered both French and English and thrived in a francophone school for four years, becoming a quintessential third-culture kid with a global perspective. Zeynep's reflective nature has led her to contemplate her multicultural experiences, resulting in profound insights on identity, diversity, open-mindedness, inclusivity, immigration, global citizenship, and globalization. Although public speaking is not her innate strength, her unwavering passion for these topics drives her to step beyond her comfort zone. She believes that the authenticity of her message and the significance of her subjects will resonate deeply with the audience, making her an ideal candidate to inspire and enlighten.