The Ambassador of Italy to Kenya, H.E. Vincenzo Del Monaco, has opened a TEDx talk reflecting on the transformative power of asking why and its importance in confronting hardship, challenging injustice and turning personal experience into purposeful action.
The talk was presented during TEDxStill I Rise School at the Still I Rise International School in Mathare, Nairobi. The event brought together students, educators and speakers to explore how asking difficult questions can transform individuals, communities and institutions.
In his address, Ambassador Del Monaco distinguished between asking how, which helps people navigate practical challenges, and asking why, which reveals the values, motivations and sense of purpose behind human action. He encouraged young people to look beyond appearances, question what may seem inevitable and use curiosity as a foundation for positive change.
Drawing on his experience as a diplomat, Ambassador Del Monaco described diplomacy as the courage to inhabit the “lands in between”: spaces where different cultures, identities and perspectives meet. He emphasized the importance of viewing frontiers as meeting points rather than lines of division and of recognizing dialogue as an essential instrument for peace and mutual understanding.
The Ambassador also praised Still I Rise for expanding access to high-quality education free of charge for refugee and vulnerable children. Describing the school as “a gem of Italy in Kenya,” he highlighted its contribution to restoring dignity and enabling young people to imagine, pursue and shape their own futures.
The engagement reflected Italy’s commitment to education, youth empowerment and cultural dialogue, as well as the strong people-to-people relations connecting Italy and Kenya. It also demonstrated the role of public diplomacy in creating spaces where ideas, experiences and aspirations can be shared across national and cultural boundaries.
Concluding his address, Ambassador Del Monaco invited the students to preserve their curiosity, courage and capacity to imagine a better world: “Do not stop making me dream.”
Watch the full talk: The Power of Why | Vincenzo Del Monaco | TEDxStill I Rise School.
TEDx events are independently organised under licence from TED and bring communities together to share ideas and stimulate dialogue.
