Newsletter April 2012
“The power of the people is much stronger than the people in power” – Wael Ghonim at TED2011
Joining a TEDx event is strikingly similar to the weather we experienced the last two months: while February was the coldest month in years, March was oddly hot. It’s something you cannot choose but only undergo in complete openness, just like getting exposed to topics brought up by TED speakers you might not expect you’d be interested in. Not to mention the people meeting up, making new interpersonal connections and start discussing ideas with each other.
This month I’d like to tell you a bit more about the faces behind the TEDxAmsterdam logo and the many side events we are organizing. Our ongoing platform Ideas Worth Doing is in need of active contributors and TEDxChange@Amsterdam 2012 will take place this Thursday. Read on to find out what your role in the TEDxAmsterdam community can be!
TEDxSummit brings the global TEDx community together
Halfway April hundreds of TEDx event organizers will come together in Doha, Qatar, for the very first TEDxSummit ever. Or as I explain it to my friends: it’s TEDx² where the amazing global TEDx community is gathering in person to formulate a shared vision for the future of the TEDx platform. Chairman of the TEDxAmsterdam Foundation Jim was asked by TED to organize this TEDxSummit and our partners Live Solutions, WeArePi (campaigning “The Power of X”) and Irene Rompa are also part of the team.
I consider it a touch of Amsterdam to help fuel the oasis of ideas and actions to change the world.
It’s also the location for the first TED2013 audition rounds. The applications for the Amsterdam based auditions will open very soon, we will keep you informed on the process.
TEDxChange returns to Amsterdam
In this TEDxChange, we’ll take a step back and look at the big picture: Why should we, as a society, continue to invest in global health and development? How can we work across borders and political boundaries to make positive change? And what returns can we expect on our investments?
Check the TEDxChange @ Amsterdam website to see how you can join:
• When: Thursday April 5th, 15.00 – 22.00 hours
• Where: Dialogues House
Great responses to our call for volunteers
Some people don’t believe TEDxAmsterdam is a virtual organization working with volunteers only.
The last weeks we set out a search for a new group of volunteers willing to dedicate their time, passion and skills to the various elements of TEDxAmsterdam. I want to thank you for all the enthusiastic responses that flooded my mailbox! Currently we have some new great photographers (Peter Smith & Melody Rae), an experienced visual storyteller (Bibi Veth) and I am pleased with the help of two proof readers (Rachael Kendrick & Emily Kremer), because blogging is pretty intensive and we all get blind spots in our eyes sometimes.
Other people offered their help with copywriting, website design and video production or complete marketing strategy plans and I’m glad we have found a place for them at other parts of our organization like TEDxChange, Ideas Worth Doing and TEDxAmsED.
Ideas Worth Doing is back and needs you
Our ongoing platform Ideas Worth Doing kicked off for a new season full inspiring ideas that can use the help of the TEDxAmsterdam community to accelerate! For this year’s edition we have already selected two new former TEDxAmsterdam speakers to support for one year. Because listening to ideas is great, but helping them to get further is even better. Want to help and do something for these projects? We are looking for a project manager to coordinate the efforts of both Ubuntu Streetkids Foundation and Metfarm. Please contact us if you are interested to participate voluntarily by emailing Jasper.
How Marcel Dicke prepares insects
Photo by Lotte Stekelenburg
Eating insects is not only tasty, exciting and healthy, but also necessary, maybe even unavoidable. In 2009, Marcel Dicke told us why the way we currently produce food is the biggest durability problem of mankind. The production of insects as protein source has many advantages and now there is the first Dutch recipe book on how to prepare insects: “Het insectenkookboek“!
The book (to appear by mid April) provides more than 30 recipes that are easy to prepare, background information on the ample use of insects as food in other cultures, and interviews with politicians (the economist Herman Wijffels, chef Pierre Wind, master patissier Robèrt van Beckhoven) and a foreword by TEDxAmsterdam and TED speaker Louise Fresco.
TWOTY Award for Barbara!
Before I say goodbye I would like to congratulate one of our bloggers with winning the TrendWatcher Of The Year Award: Barbara Putman Cramer is well known for her ability to spot trends in food and sustainability in the twitterverse and blogscene. She has now been recognized as upcoming trendwatching talent! I’m proud. If you were not following her on Twitter already, just click this button:
Until next month or maybe we’ll meetup tomorrow at TEDxMaastricht (with a stunning line up of speakers),
Oliver (editor-in-chief)
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