First Encounters TEDEd Team Experience: Qaleem Rawji

My name is Qaleem Rawji and I am a grade 11 student at Sentinel Secondary School and I am an Audience Engagement Lead on the IlluminaTED Conference Team.

My first year being a part of the Encounters TEDEd Club has challenged me to expand my horizons, think critically and learn in a collaborative and interactive way. This is also my first year on the IlluminaTED Conference team. In the past, I’ve attended two Encounters TEDEd conferences and had amazing experiences! They were interactive, fun and shared interesting ideas and passions of youth in our community. During previous IlluminaTED conferences, I learned so much from keynotes, peer talks, community activations and performances! After having amazing experiences at these conferences, I knew I wanted to be a part of the Encounters TEDEd Club and the IlluminaTED leadership team. I really wanted to contribute to the inspiring annual conference. Despite the challenges 2020 has brought for all of us, our team is working tirelessly to make sure that the IlluminaTED 2021 virtual conference continues to inspire and engage youth from our community. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to work with such an incredible team this year to create an inspiring IlluminaTED 2021 for you! I look forward to seeing everyone virtually at the upcoming conference!