「障がいが重すぎるから、養護学校にも入れない」そんな理不尽な現実に立たされた少年が、出会いと挑戦を通じて理事長となり、今では1,000人を超える障がいのある人たちの雇用を支える存在に。人生を変えたのは、人との出会い。そして、自らもその“出会い”になろうと歩み続けた道のり。このトークでは、障がい、挫折、葛藤を超えてきた山下さんが、「No Charity, but a Chance（保護ではなく、機会を）」という太陽の家の理念のもと、希望と行動の大切さを語ります。できない理由ではなく、“できる方法”を探す。誰もが社会の一員として輝ける未来へ。それは、あなたの出会いから始まるかもしれません。 At the age of one, he developed polio due to persistent high fever, and became wheelchair-bound. In 1984, he joined Mitsubishi Corporation Taiyo Co., Ltd., an IT company, and became its president and CEO in 2014 and chairman in 2016. In 2018, he retired and became chairman of Taiyo no Ie. To make Taiyo no Ie a leading model for a symbiotic society and realize the vision of a "society in which people with disabilities are not left behind," in recent years he has been focusing on the employment of people with mental and developmental disabilities in particular. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

For most of his life, Sunny thought making people laugh was his purpose. It was his role at home, with friends, even in moments of silence and sorrow. But when laughter didn’t land, when it was misunderstood, misplaced, or even unwelcome, he began to ask a deeper question: What does it really mean to make someone happy?In this witty yet unexpectedly heartfelt talk, Sunny takes us on a journey from childhood jokes to cultural misfires, from laughter as escape to laughter as connection. Through stories of exchange programs, family dynamics, and tearful reflection, he reminds us that joy isn’t always loud and sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do for someone is simply listen. An active member of PASA and a leader in Philippine Week’s Fashion Show department, Sunny brings his vibrant energy to TEDxAPU. Through humor, he has found resilience in the face of life’s toughest moments. His talk will explore how laughter often seen as a sign of joy can also be a tool for resilience, helping us navigate life’s hardest moments. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In her talk, "Take the Stairs," Ruth explores the importance of choosing the thoughtful, deliberate path in communication. She shares her experiences as a communication specialist, highlighting that true communication is about strength, clarity, and effectiveness. Ruth introduces the concept tact - as essential for handling difficult conversations and maintaining strong relationships. Using relatable examples, Ruth emphasizes the need for self-awareness, self-regulation and attentive listening in our interactions. She challenges us to be more considerate and better listeners, reminding us that effective communication often requires patience and thoughtful responses. By taking the stairs in our daily interactions, we can become better communicators today than we were yesterday. Ruth Mthembu is a dynamic communication specialist and legal enthusiast. Whether she's an intriguing individual or a ‘person of interest’ depends on which side of the bed she wakes up on. Ruth is the founder of Tact-fully.co, a platform launched in 2022 that offers free resources to help young professionals master workplace communication. She also serves as the Content & Communication Manager at the Institute for Internal Communication Africa (IFICA), an organisation dedicated to fostering excellence and innovation in internal communication across the continent. When she's not immersed in her role as a Senior Communication Officer at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), you can find Ruth indulging in her coffee addiction or getting lost in a good book. Her career journey has been anything but linear, yet incredibly rewarding. Ruth's love for communication is deeply rooted in her passion for people, which shines through in her documentary work, national TV campaigns, environmental and community impact projects. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Desde niño, Julio Granda usó el ajedrez para comprender la vida. Su carrera lo llevó a ser Gran Maestro y campeón mundial senior, pero su mejor jugada ha sido compartir esta disciplina como herramienta para formar mejores personas. En esta charla, nos invita a pensar... como ajedrecistas. Considerado un prodigio del ajedrez, Julio Granda es Gran Maestro Internacional y campeón mundial senior 2017. Reconocido por su estilo intuitivo y creativo, y con más de 45 años de carrera internacional, ha sido por décadas el número uno del país y referente del ajedrez latinoamericano. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In this fiery call to action, youth leader Zafina Zaman flips the script on teenage stereotypes—drawing from neuroscience and personal stories to show how the very traits adults criticize are actually the superpowers driving a new generation of change-makers. This is more than a speech. It’s an invitation for change—one question at a time. From her first steps into public speaking at eight, Zafina has shown a dedication to leadership and service. Competing annually in the Optimist International Oratorical Contest, she represented Canada in the 2022 World Championships. Now President of Calgary's first and only Junior Optimist Club, she develops public speaking skills among youth while leading community projects to support the underprivileged. Her impact as an international keynote speaker has reached Kids Cancer Care, the United Nations, HundrED, and other conferences, where her message of optimism resonates with diverse audiences.. Passionate about the future, she is constantly exploring innovative, sustainable solutions to help achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, Zafina is an inspiring role model, committed to creating a brighter future for her community and beyond. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

The talk explores how artists and other often-overlooked life paths hold essential insights for shaping the future, grounded not just in strategy, but in intuition, relational strength, and creative resilience. Jillian is the founder of Becoming Futures, a coaching and foresight studio rooted in intuition, storytelling, and systems thinking. Her TEDx talk explores how artists and other shapeshifting visionaries offer the wisdom and transformative leadership needed to reimagine power and shape just, imaginative futures. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx