This Tedx talks about how actions and steps young people see as "little" can make a difference in the lives of people and society. Tunde Onakoya is a Nigerian National Chess Master and coach. He founded Chess in Slums Africa in 2017. This non-profit organization utilizes the game of chess as a tool for social intervention—a bridge between disadvantaged kids and their ambitions, a framework to give children in impoverished communities access to tuition-free education, learning resources, and mentorship opportunities. Slowly and steadily, the project is rewriting a new narrative and building an inclusive future for every African child. 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 the first time ever, global business executives ranked the United States outside the Top 10 in international surveys of competitiveness. The US was firmly in the top spot for decades, and was never out of the top three. According to this year's survey, executives pushed the United States to #12, while Asian economies Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the UAE snagged four of the top eight spots.

This survey of international business leaders mirrors what everyday Americans tell pollsters at home: the United States is on the wrong track, and American citizens' confidence in national institutions are at all-time lows.

But our policymakers rely on other surveys, such as from the World Economic Forum and the UN, which continue to show the US as the most competitive. Why is there such an apparent disconnect, between what business executives say about doing business in and with America, and what transnational organizations claim?

Resources and links:

Is the United States Really One of the Most Competitive Economies in the World? No.
https://www2.itif.org/2022-ina....ccurate-competitiven

The US drops out of the Global Competitiveness Top 10
https://aheadoftheherd.com/the....-u-s-drops-out-of-gl

U.S. High School Students Lag Foreign Peers in Achievement Scores
https://www.ethicssage.com/202....2/03/us-high-school-

Statista, The world's most competitive economies
https://www.statista.com/chart..../30231/the-worlds-mo

U.S. Education Rankings Compared to Other Countries
https://www.thebalancemoney.co....m/the-u-s-is-losing-

Gallup, Satisfaction With the United States
https://news.gallup.com/poll/1....669/general-mood-cou

Historically Low Faith in U.S. Institutions Continues
https://news.gallup.com/poll/5....08169/historically-l

Majority of American voters say country is headed in wrong direction
https://nypost.com/2024/07/16/....us-news/majority-of-

Closing scene, Chongqing riverside


Confidence in colleges and universities hits new lows, per FIRE polls

https://www.thefire.org/news/c....onfidence-colleges-a