Ghulam Kibria

Activist, Change agent, Concerned citizen, Connector, Consultant, Educator/Teacher, Event planner, Foodie, Idea generator, Muslim, Project manager, Student

I’m Ghulam Kibria, an academic, researcher, and student affairs professional passionate about leadership, international relations, public diplomacy, and youth development. With an MPhil in International Relations, I work at the intersection of education, community engagement, and student leadership. I enjoy creating opportunities that empower young people to connect, lead, and turn ideas into meaningful action.

I’m passionate about empowering young people through leadership, education, and meaningful opportunities. I believe every young person has the potential to create an impact when given the right platform, trust, and encouragement. My work with students, societies, community initiatives, and public engagement reflects my commitment to turning ideas into action and helping young people become confident contributors to society.

Stop Preparing Young People for the Future—Give Them a Role in Shaping It For years, we have told young people that they are the leaders of tomorrow. But through my work with students, societies, volunteers, and community initiatives, I have learned that young people do not need to wait for tomorrow to create an impact. They need trust, responsibility, and platforms. When students are given the opportunity to organize events, lead teams, serve their communities, engage with different perspectives, and solve real problems, something remarkable happens: they stop seeing themselves as students simply completing a degree and start seeing themselves as contributors to society. I believe universities should not only be places where young people acquire knowledge. They should be places where young people practice leadership, experience responsibility, and create measurable impact. The idea worth spreading is simple: Don't just prepare young people to inherit the world. Give them opportunities to improve it while they are still learning.

Communication & Public Speaking, Community Development, Event & Program Management, International Relations & Geopolitics, Public Diplomacy, Research, Stakeholder Engagement, Student Affairs & Engagement, Volunteer & Team Management, Youth Leadership & Development

My journey has always been connected to ideas, people, and the belief that meaningful change begins when someone is given the opportunity to speak, lead, and be heard. Through my academic journey in International Relations and my professional work with students, youth societies, volunteers, and community initiatives, I have seen how one meaningful idea can change the way people think—and sometimes, the way they act. TED resonates with me because it creates a space where ideas move beyond boundaries and connect people from different backgrounds. I want to be part of that culture: to listen to perspectives that challenge my thinking, share experiences that can inspire others, and contribute to a community that believes in the power of ideas. For me, TED is not simply a platform for speakers. It is a reminder that a powerful idea, when shared with purpose, can become the beginning of meaningful change.

People may not know that I’m good at turning ideas into action. I enjoy bringing people together, understanding their strengths, building a team around a shared purpose, and making things happen. Whether it is a student initiative, a community project, or a large event, I’m often at my best behind the scenes—connecting people, solving problems, and turning a simple idea into something meaningful.