TEDxChange 2012 is a TEDx event co-organized by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and TED. Convened by Melinda French Gates and hosted by Chris Anderson, TEDxChange will focus on issues surrounding global health and development.
The current economic climate has drawn our focus to immediate needs closest to home. But now, more than ever, it's critical to keep sight of the fact that we are part of interdependent, global community. And too many within that community cannot meet their most basic needs: food, clean water, life-saving medical treatment and vaccines.
We can't proceed with business as usual.
On April 5, 2012, 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?
After the simulcast, the organizers of TEDx Houston and TEDx Sugar Land will present a TEDxHouston talk that addresses TEDxChange topics; and will host an open discussion on lessons learned from TEDActive and how we can inspire, connect and activate change champions to "Think Global, Act Local" in our own communities.
* TEDxChange events are TEDx events hosted around the live webcast of TEDxChange, and also feature local speakers. TEDxHoustonChange is one of many TEDx events happening around the globe on April 5th that will expand on the ideas brought up at TEDxChange 2010.
--- TEDxChange Speakers (simulcast) ---
Melinda Gates: Melinda Gates serves as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She helps set the overall direction of the foundation, shaping strategies, reviewing results, and advocating for the foundation’s issues. Melinda will discuss family planning and how the power to plan changes the lives of women and their families and improves whole societies.
Jeff Chapin: Jeff Chapin is a mechanical engineer and product designer for IDEO. He specializes in designing sanitation solutions for the developing world and has conducted projects in both Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Jeff will challenge traditional perceptions of ‘design’ by emphasizing the importance of sustainable, market-based systems for developing societies.
Sven Giegold: Sven Giegold is a Member of the European Parliament and one of the founding members of Attac Germany. Sven has dedicated much of his career towards green industry issues. He will talk about the power of collective action and how the actions of individuals, communities, and progressive business can lead to critical changes at a national and international level.
Theo Sowa: Theo Sowa is an independent advisor and consultant, specializing in international social development with a particular emphasis on children’s rights and protection issues, especially in conflict situations. She is currently the Interim CEO of the African Women’s Development Fund, a pan African women’s grant making organization. Born in Ghana, she has lived and worked in many countries in Africa, as well as the UK, Europe, and the USA. Her work includes advisory roles to African and other international women and children’s rights activists and leaders, plus policy development and advocacy with a variety of international agencies and organizations.
Baaba Maal: Baaba Maal is a Senegalese singer and guitarist born in Podor, on the Senegal River. Baaba sings primarily in Pulaar and is the foremost promoter of the traditions of the Pulaar-speaking peoples. He has released several albums. In July 2003, Baaba was made a UNDP Youth Emissary. In March 2012 he visited Mauritania with Oxfam to call attention to the humanitarian need resulting from the food crisis in the Sahel. Also an Ambassador for Nelson Mandela’s 46664 campaign, he has become an increasingly vocal champion for the rights of women and girls.
*** Limited seating available: Please only RSVP if you are *certain* you will be able to attend. Remember: No-shows deprive other TED enthusiasts of the opportunity to attend! ***
For more information, visit: http://gates.ly/tedxchange2012
Organizing team
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Tim De Silva
TEDx Houston Curator & Culture Pilot -
Javier Fadul
TEDx Houston Curator & Culture Pilot -
Kara M. Gray
TEDx Houston Curator & Culture Pilot