The TEDx global phenomenon comes to Stavanger on 12th September.
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to ideas worth spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 26 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. At TED, the world's leading thinkers and doers are asked to give the talk of their lives in just 18 minutes. Talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. Previous speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Benoit Mandelbrot, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.
To be held at Tou Scene on 12th September, TEDx Stavanger will have the following themes:
Making innovation happen (best in class)
This first theme is about the beginning stages of an idea. While everybody has had a great idea at one time or another, these innovators took their ideas all the way and succeeded in conquering the strategic new unknowns and maximized a business opportunity.
Collaboration breeds innovation (cooperation)
Our second theme is about fostering cooperation across disciplines and leveraging the concept of innovation in an unconventional way. Here, a focus has been placed on using open innovation and extensive collaboration as tools in developing and commercializing new ideas.
Repetitive innovation (culture of innovation)
This theme centres around developing a methodology for maintaining a culture of innovation, through a deep zeal for managing continual change. Here, attention has been directed to building a culture of persistent innovation and using that culture as a strategic advantage in the marketplace.
The speakers include Amina Sewali, Tore Lærdal, Magnus Øgård Meisal, Lars Bratsberg, Erika Ilves, Pascal Lee, Karl Johnny Hersvik, Martha Kold Bakkevig, and Osama Manzar. And just added to the bill, an exciting cooperation with Stavanger's NuArt street art festival.
The Motivation behind TEDx Stavanger
Fellow expat blogger Whitney Love jumped at the chance to get involved in the TEDx experience.
“When I heard that TEDx was coming to Stavanger and I just had to get involved! I am a high energy person and TEDx was the perfect place to direct my energy here in Stavanger. I've always been attracted to community projects that help generate dialogue and connect people across disciplines while inspiring people at the same time– so TEDx was a perfect fit. Being a part of the team organizing this event gives me a chance to give back to a city which has given me so much”, she said.
