On November 20, 2010 – Universal Children’s Day – the first TEDx Youth event will take place in the science center NEMO in Amsterdam. TEDxYouth offers a stage for young people who wish to share their vision of the future. There are no limits to the subject matter, which can be everything from a personal experience, dream, social ideals, to empowering ideas. At TEDxYouth we want to hear what young people think is relevant and important.
“Too often, youngsters are expected to be obedient and listen to adults. We as adults, however, can hardly say that we have provided a good example over the last years. Think of the financial crisis or the oil spill by BP. It is precisely at such moments that we need to give the megaphone to young unfettered spirits – to give their opinion, and to provide us with a fresh vision in order to inspire us with optimism” says initiator Jim Stolze.
Ideas worth spreading
TEDxYouth@Amsterdam is the first TEDx-event in the Netherlands created entirely by and for youths. TED has been bringing people together for more than 25 years to share knowledge and ideas. ‘Ideas worth spreading’ is the continuous theme of the famous TEDtalks. This theme has globally become central to numerous independently organised TEDx events, such as TEDxAmsterdam, TEDxRotterdam and now TEDxYouth@Amsterdam.
NEMO
Science center NEMO is actively involved with the organisation. Michiel Buchel, general director of NEMO: “NEMO wants young people to be astonished and inspired by the beauty, meaning and value of science and technology. Regardless of what you want to do later, the responsible management and use of science and technology are of the greatest importance on earth. It is young people who will discover or use the solutions for the future. Their opinions, suggestions and groundwork deserve a stage such as TED and TEDx”.
Registration
In the coming weeks the organisation will announce which speakers will be appearing on November 20th and how young people can register. The criteria are simple: anyone who is younger than 18 years, speaks English and would like to speak with others about the future, is welcome. A national qualifying round is being organised via schools in order to scout for talented speakers for the open podium.
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