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).

SJII
490 Thomson Road
Singapore, Central Singapore, 298191
Singapore

Alex Knecht

Entrepreneur

Alex Knecht is an American entrepreneur. He grew up on the Maine waterfront, near Boston. His childhood was spent in and around the seafood industry following the family business, founded by his father. Alex graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania. Afterward he spent 10 years pursuing his career in various other industries, from financial planning to FMCG (Nestle) and finally renewable energy before returning to fisheries. He has always been drawn to enterprises that define their role more broadly than just selling goods and services; specifically businesses who consider their impact in the communities in which they work. Drawn to the ecomonic vibrancy of Southeast Asia, Alex moved to Indonesia full time in 2013.

Alicia Lau

Student

Alicia Lau is a speaker at TEDxYouth@SJII 2018 and constantly seeking methods to improve the lives of those around her. She is currently a Grade 12 student in Saint Joseph’s Institution International, and an an active member of: the Malaysian MENSA Society, English Mentoring, the Swimming team, Lasallian Youth, and Model United Nations. As a third culture kid, Alicia has enjoyed staying and studying in a multitude of countries, and she has become accustomed to being asked for a comparison between them. The differences between the cultures she’s been in are often accompanied by similarities. One similarity in particular alarms her: a normalised romanticisation of pain. It is painful to see the negative effects take their toll on the wonderful people of all four countries she has stayed in. Nobody is exempt, regardless of whether they be artists she has collaborated with, members of the other debate team, or her sporting teammates.

Megan Wee

Student

Megan Wee (SJII Class of 2017) grew up in Singapore and has always valued a good joke – be it she’s telling it or watching a stand-up comedy special. In this decade, the fusion of comedy and politics surrounds us as an audience, and always has throughout history. For her talk, Megan wants to share why the relationship between humor and politics is so important, and why it is more than a fleeting laugh. Megan has studied at SJI International since 7th grade. Her involvement and study of theatre has allowed her to discover comedy and politics from a different perspective than glancing over the cover of a newspaper. She will be attending university in the fall. Apart from her interests in political studies, Megan loves reading up on philosophy and watching Silicon Valley.

Sarah Choo

Multidisciplinary Fine Artist

Sarah Choo Jing is known for her interdisciplinary approach to photography, video and installation. Her work depicts identifiable moments and characters within contemporary urban society suggesting a plethora of private and often solitary narratives. The artist is concerned with the gaze of the flaneur, voyeurism and the uncanny. Choo lives and works in Singapore. She recently completed her MFA at the Slade School of Art in London last summer 2015. Choo was recently shortlisted as a Finalist in the Sovereign Asian Art Prize 2017 and awarded the Perspectives 40 under 40 award. She has clinched the Gold Award in the 2016 PX3 Prix de la Photographie, Fine Art Category and been awarded First Place in the 2015 Moscow International Foto Awards. She was also awarded the ICON De Martell Cordon Bleu Photography Award and Kwek Leng Joo Prize of Excellence in Still Photography Award in 2013. The artist has since exhibited internationally.

Scott Pang

Student

My name is Scott Pang. I’m 13 years old, and i’m from Singapore. I’m the youngest out of 3 siblings. Now, i know im only 13 years old, but i have a few life lessons to share. I want to help others by sharing stories about my life and my experiences, and hopefully also inspire many! I want to spread positivity, knowledge and laughter. That’s my life!

Stephen Lee

Conservation Activist

Coming from a background in Wildlife Science from McGill University in Canada, Stephen has found himself a long way from home on a small island in Malaysia. After working in the Philippines as a Green Fins assessor to help local dive center operators to minimize their environmental impact while scuba diving, Stephen decided to dedicate his life to marine conservation and environmental education. Working for Orca Scuba as Conservation Project Coordinator has presented different challenges and opportunities to teach people of different ages and backgrounds not only to appreciate the ocean and all it’s wonders but to protect it as well. Among his most passionate issues are conservation and protection of coral reefs, sharks and sea turtles and reducing plastic waste in the sea. After managing a Sea Turtle hatchery project, he moved on to work at Orca Scuba as a Divemaster trainee and was eventually hired as the head of conservation, being responsible for all things conservation.