About

Founded in 2016, Clonturk is a leading school in student innovation and democracy, as well as being one of the only Educate Together second-level schools in Dublin. Clonturk prides itself in upholding four pillars - Pride, Ambition, Respect and Kindness. Each of these represent every member of the school community, as well as showcasing what we stand for. Promoting creativity is at the heart of everything we do in Clonturk, with a unique, modern approach to teaching being employed in every subject. Clonturk has become a name within our community, a name people are proud to claim as their own. An event like this fits Clonturk's brief perfectly, and will drive more than just change to any student, educator or staff member taking part.

This event all began as an idea, albeit a small one but an idea still. It has been over 4 years since I discovered my love for TED, and since the burning passion of creating one of these events was lit in me. The thought bounced back and forth through my mind for many years, yet I was never in a position to execute it. Finally the idea came back to me - usually I'd daydream about it for a while and remember something that would prevent me from doing it, but that never happened this time; it was different this time. I realised that this is exactly what Transition Year is about: doing things you normally cannot do. All of a sudden, the four years of different ideas I had had for an event like this, as well as the will to actually plan it, came to me. When I think of the future of this event, a lot of emotion comes to me, mainly a mixture of happiness and nervousness, but also pride. I am proud my school has placed its faith in me to plan and execute an event like this, I am proud TED finds me worthy enough to be licenced to host an event like this, but mainly I am proud of myself, proud that the burning passion I mentioned earlier was never extinguished, and never will be extinguished. Words cannot describe how excited I am to watch this event grow from an idea to a life-changing event. 

"The future belongs to those who dare to dream beyond boundaries"

- David, Head Organiser of TEDxClonturk CC Youth