TEDxYouth Dammam Encourages Students to Reflect, Dream, and Speak With Confidence

Dammam – The ISG Dammam community hosted its second TEDxYouth event on Wednesday, bringing together 17 young speakers who shared thoughtful, bold, and deeply personal ideas that challenged assumptions, explored identity, and encouraged the audience to look beneath the surface of everyday experiences in search of meaning and purpose.

The event created an energized atmosphere where students from diverse backgrounds expressed themselves freely and confidently, sparking conversations about growth, creativity, and emotional awareness.

Organized under the global TED framework, the independently run youth event carried the theme “Beyond the Surface,” which invited participants to look deeper into their lives and examine how choices, dreams, and reflections shape their understanding of the world.

The organizers emphasized that the goal was to give students a stage to express their unique viewpoints while developing communication skills and self-belief that would carry them beyond the classroom.

English teacher Nadia Iqbal, who led the initiative, highlighted the power of allowing young voices to be heard and celebrated.

She explained that many students were stepping onto a large stage for the first time, and the experience helped them move past fear and embrace the opportunity to share ideas that mattered to them.

She also noted that life unfolds not simply through success or failure, but through the spaces in between where learning, growth, and perspective take shape.

The preparation process began months earlier, with student auditions followed by summer mentoring and writing workshops. Participants refined their speeches through repeated drafts until their messages were clear, engaging, and emotionally resonant.

Student hosts provided transitions, commentary, and humor throughout the event, guiding the audience through themes ranging from resilience to identity to innovation.

Speakers touched on topics shaped by their personal experiences and observations. Some addressed the emotional challenges faced by youth today, such as coping with pressure, overthinking, and navigating social expectations.

Others explored issues like stereotypes, digital behavior, and mental focus, reflecting on how everyday interactions influence the ways young people see themselves and others.

Several talks blended storytelling with research, offering insights into psychology, technology, and self-development.

One speaker discussed the idea of “falling forward,” describing how setbacks can serve as powerful motivation for future success.

Another examined the damaging effects of stereotypes and encouraged the audience to challenge “mental shortcuts” that limit understanding.

A senior student reflected on the rise of attention as a new form of currency in a digital world, urging others to protect their focus and make intentional choices about how they engage with technology.

Younger speakers contributed perspectives shaped by their experiences in school and adolescence. One noted the feeling of being “in between” during an academic transition, while another explored visibility and identity, speaking about what it means to be seen fully in a diverse yet imperfect world.

The authenticity of these messages resonated strongly with the audience, drawing applause and moments of thoughtful silence.

Later sessions shifted toward modern-day challenges and emerging solutions. Students presented ideas on the impact of circadian rhythm disruptions, methods for harvesting water from air in arid regions, staying vocal in difficult situations, and understanding digital phenomena such as deepfakes.

Others explored purpose, endurance, and the psychology of anxiety, each drawing from personal journeys and reflections.

The event closed with words of gratitude from the organizing team, recognizing parents, teachers, and volunteers whose support enabled the students to grow through the experience.

Their contributions helped shape a platform where young voices could be nurtured, uplifted, and encouraged to explore the power of ideas, creativity, and connection.