Theme: Keys to the Future

TEDxUNYP is an event that brings together bright minds to give talks that are idea-focused, and on a wide range of subjects, to foster learning, inspiration, and wonder - and provoke conversations that matter. This year we will present talks that are forward-looking with a flavor of sustainability in terms of longevity, the environment, and more.

UNYP Arena
Kovanecká 27
Prague, Praha 9, 19000
Czech Republic

Adéla Klečková

Cyber Security

Adéla Klečková currently works as a global alliance manager for Datasentics, company focused on AI, MLOps, big data, and emerging technologies. She graduated from King's College London with distinction. Her thesis research ("Cyber Electronic Warfare: Drivers of Change Behind the Machinery / Technology") was written in cooperation with the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (NATO). The academic article, written based on the master's thesis, subsequently won the international award for the best student research by ARRC NATO. She was awarded a fully funded fellowship with the German Marshall Fund for a research project on cyberactivism - which, given the anonymity of this movement, is the first of its kind. She is a member of the Digital Sherlocks - experts in open source intelligence - and a graduate of the course of the same name organised by the Atlantic Council. The Spanish think tank CIDOB listed her as one of 35 under 35 young technology leaders for her research activities.

Amistat _

Songwriters

As twin brothers, Amistat—Josef and Jan Prasil—share an unspoken and unexplainable bond best sung aloud. The power of this bond courses through their familial harmonies and eloquent song craft accented by individual idiosyncrasies. Songs unfold like stories with two narrators, allowing both voices space to ring out. Born in Germany with roots in the Czech Republic and Australia (thanks to mom and dad), Josef and Jan actually grew up in Italy until high school. After five years back in Germany, they eventually made the move to Australia and founded Amistat. In 2019 the guys planted new roots in their hometown of Rosenheim, Germany and turned inward for inspiration. Having just come off their latest sold out European tour with over 10.000 sold tickets and performing to packed crowds on multiple continents, the duo is definitely best enjoyed live.

Andrea Meszaros

Social Entrepreneur

Tobias and Andrea are a dynamic creative couple with a passion for exploration and a knack for tackling physical and mental challenges. Having embarked on a year-long journey through Latin America, they have gathered a wealth of experiences and insights to share on the TEDx stage. Andrea is a Hungarian social entrepreneur and coach dedicated to promoting mental health and wellbeing. With a background in strategy consulting, event and project management, she founded Talent Courtyard, a London-based start-up focused on creative wellbeing and professional development. Additionally, she is actively involved in building a talent incubator for creative entrepreneurs. With fluency in five languages, Andrea brings a global perspective to her work and has a keen interest in creative problem-solving, organizational psychology, arts, sustainability, and fostering inclusive environments.

Arthur Sniegon

Climate Activist

As a Silesian native from Beskydy mountains Arthur has always been close to nature. Already during his university studies he began to explore vast areas of equatorial Africa and understood the ongoing threat the elephants and other species are facing due to poaching, trafficking and habitat loss. In 2012 – 2013 I set up for a solo 15-months biking and kayaking expedition for nearly 6000 km through the most remote areas to investigate the dark reality of poaching. During the following years until 2020 I have permanently lived in Central Africa and volunteered and worked in nature conservation, mitigation of the human-wildlife conflict, investigating the illegal trade with ivory and other wildlife products and managed the deployment of sniffer dog units. Since 2020 I am based back home in the Czech Republic and actively engaged in landscape and species conservation and raising awareness while regularly moving back to Africa to carry on new missions, projects and collaborations.

Blake Wittman

Shareholder, and UNYP Board Member

Blake Wittman has seen the inside of massive Fortune100 global giants as well as 5-person startups. He has a 20+ year career highlighted by a passion for people and purpose. After a short stint in Citibank Blake entered the recruitment arena and began a career focused on quality relationships, strong ethics, and a deep belief in making a positive impact. Well-known executive search firm, SpenglerFox, was started and grown across Central Europe by Blake where he personally serviced leading blue-chip financial institutions. However it was when he helped build the award-winning, venture capital-backed internet startup, Lime&Tonic, which influenced, challenged, and sharpened his view on business and the potential to impact the market. Blake is now European Business Director, and shareholder, of Good Group, which comprises GoodCall, Recruitment Academy, and Datacruit. All three companies have a common goal of waking up the recruitment industry and evolving the human relations market.

Cameron Hughes

Sport Entertainer & King of Cheer

Cameron Hughes has ignited crowds at sporting events across the globe. The only professional sports entertainer of his kind in the world, Cameron has performed at over 1,500 events including 2 Olympic Games, 5 NBA Finals, 3 Stanley Cup Finals (NHL), and the US Open tennis tournament. His relentless optimism, infectious cheering, and unbridled dancing have delighted and energized unsuspecting crowds, lodging Cameron's indelible spirit in over 30 million people's memory banks – often without anyone even knowing who the man with the famous dance moves really is. Although Cameron specializes in helping people laugh and let go, the heart of his story is equally about taking risks, challenging social conventions, seeking peak performance, and contributing to a greater purpose. His unorthodox method of connecting and inspiring crowds has been put into action not only at the world's largest sporting events but also at corporate events for some of the world's most renowned companies.

Jan Čmejla

Pianist

Jan Čmejla, born in 2003 in Prague, is a pianist with a passion for music that began at the age of six. Jan's talent has been recognized through accolades from music competitions where he emerged victorious, including the Virtuosi per musica di pianoforte in Ústí nad Labem (2013, 2018), Chopin for the Youngest (2015), Beethoven's Teplice (2018), and Concertino Praga (2019) to name a few. Notably, he was honored with the prestigious "Golden Nut" prize (2013) for the most talented children in the Czech Republic and the Kern Foundation Prize awarded by renowned pianist Olga Kern. In 2021 alone he received the 2nd prize at the Orbetello competition, the Victory Award at the Carles and Sofia International Piano Competition, and the Silva Monteiro prize for the best interpretation of a modern piece at the Santa Cecilia competition held in Porto, Portugal. Jan's performances have taken him across the globe, with his debut recital in the United States at the Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C.

Jan Prasil

Musician

As twin brothers, Amistat—Josef and Jan Prasil—share an unspoken and unexplainable bond best sung aloud. Having just come off their latest sold-out European tour reaching an audience of over 10.000, listeners delight from the power of their bond coursing through familial harmonies and eloquent song craft accented by individual idiosyncrasies. "We're so different, but we unite when it comes to music," Jan observes. "We grew up listening to the same songs. If you harmonize with a sibling, it's different from harmonizing with a person you're not related to." Born in Germany with roots in the Czech Republic and Australia (thanks to mom and dad), Josef and Jan grew up in Italy until high school. After five years back in Germany, they eventually made the move to Australia and founded Amistat. In 2019 the guys planted new roots in their hometown of Rosenheim, Germany, and turned inward for inspiration.

Kateřina Syslová

Creative Director and Disruption/Pop Culture Specialist

Kate Syslova is a dynamic entrepreneur and visionary behind Startup Kitchen, a groundbreaking venture that revolutionizes the startup ecosystem. With a passion for innovation and a keen understanding of the challenges faced by budding entrepreneurs, Kate created Startup Kitchen as a nurturing hub for startups to thrive. Armed with a background in business and a relentless drive, she has established a vibrant community where startups receive comprehensive support, from mentorship to funding. Kate's leadership has propelled Startup Kitchen to the forefront of the startup scene, fostering collaboration, fostering collaboration and empowering emerging entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into successful ventures. Her unwavering commitment to fostering innovation has made her a true catalyst for change in the startup landscape.

Marlene Svela Øvrebø

Security Consultant & UNYP Alumni

Marlene Svela Øvrebø holds a master's degree in Forensic and Investigative Psychology from the University of Liverpool and a master's in Societal Safety from the University of Stavanger. Her undergraduate is a double degree in Psychology from the University of New York in Prague. Marlene believes that combining knowledge and insight from psychology in safety, security, and preparedness is crucial to understanding human behaviour, cognition, decision making and development and implementing necessary changes to protect against modern threats accurately. This extends to understanding and valuing human responses from being fearful to thriving. She has experience tailoring learning to needs and abilities combined with expectations of effort and intent. Through her work, she would love for people to evaluate how they can adapt to a world that, in some areas, is more challenging than ever and thrive like a dandelion.

Michal Vrátný

Founder

Michal Vratny, known as "Radar," is the founder of Zelezna koule, a leading strength and conditioning organization operating three gyms in Prague. With a focus on real-world application and longevity, Michal's training system has impacted the lives of over 10,000 individuals in the past decade. Passionate about helping people feel great, Michal believes in the power of physical fitness to enhance overall well-being. When he's not busy transforming lives, you'll find him soaring through the skies as an avid skydiver, defying gravity in the wind tunnel, carving up the slopes on his snowboard, or immersing himself in epic Dungeons & Dragons adventures. Join Radar on the TEDx stage as he shares his insights on the importance of physical fitness beyond the gym. Discover how his unique approach to training not only enhances performance but also prepares individuals for real-world scenarios and promotes long-term health and vitality.

Mike Bugembe

AI Consultant and Author

Mike is a globally recognised speaker, best-selling author, and AI consultant. Fuelled by a passion for human and machine intelligence, he's dedicated his career to leveraging AI for good. Mike has worked as a consultant, trainer, and adviser with various organisations. Mike's noteworthy contributions range from devising algorithms that have generated millions in donations for charitable causes to assisting organisations in utilising AI to confront various social challenges. These include resolving issues of child exclusion in educational settings and using AI to curb inappropriate behaviours. His work embodies his belief in AI as a powerful force for societal improvement. Honoured as one of the UK’s top digital leaders, Mike has earned numerous awards and is hailed as a key influencer in data-driven businesses. His unwavering commitment to AI's potential for good shapes his influential role in AI and social benefit.

Pavlína Louženská

Founder and Trend Forecaster

Pavlína is a Consultant focused on trends in technology and society. She's a Lead Mentor in Google for Startups for Europe and Africa, as well as in various other accelerators. She founded #HolkyzMarketingu, a female empowerment community that currently unites 40 000+ people. She is a Google Certified Trainer for Design Thinking and Entrepreneurship. Alumni to Aspen Institute Young Leaders Program, YTILI, On Deck and CGYPP fellowships. She was listed among 20 people who shaped 2020 by Hospodářské noviny. She created Trendspotterky.com, a consulting platform focused on trendspotting. She regularly sends a newsletter on society and technology pavlinaspeaks.com to 5000+ subscribers.

Šimon Michalčík

Founder and Climate Activist

At the age of 14, Šimon became the first Czech ambassador for the global initiative Plant-for-the-Planet, and eventually he co-founded the foundation Plant-for-the-Planet Czech Republic, being the country manager for the organisation since. During those years, he has educated over 1,000 children about the climate crisis and planted or fundraised for the planting of more than 20,000 trees, especially for the restoration of the native forests of Global South countries. He is a graduate of the interdisciplinary course Global Sustainable Development at the University of Warwick, England. In his Dissertation, Šimon looked at the potential of ecosystem restoration to change the nature of climate-related storytelling, receiving the Best Dissertation award for the project. He loves journeys in the wild and is an amateur writer and musician.

Šimon Steffal

Founder and UNYP Alumni

Simon holds a degree in Psychology from UNYP/Empire State College and in International Relations and Diplomacy from the Anglo-American University in Prague. Simon's areas of focus are interpersonal communication, applied psychology, and team/organizational development. Since 2007, he has been on a mission to support others on their paths to become better versions of themselves. With his extensive experience in people development and passion for applied psychology, Simon is able to provide deep insights into various situations - from communication and emotional intelligence, group dynamics, and personal development principles, to constructive feedback, mental models, and team or community upskilling. Simon's entrepreneurial spirit led him to found the teal-aspiring company, Mindset Mentors, in 2019. Simon is committed to helping individuals and organizations reach their full potential by providing custom-made solutions with a focus on the “long game” and strategic impact.

Tobias Svensson

Social Entrepreneur

Tobias and Andrea are a dynamic creative couple with a passion for exploration and a knack for tackling physical and mental challenges. Having embarked on a year-long journey through Latin America, they have gathered a wealth of experiences and insights to share on the TEDx stage. Tobias, on the other hand, is a multitalented composer, musician, and IT professional from Sweden. With proficiency in multiple instruments, Tobias composes and plays music in various genres (mainly contemporary classical & punk) that resonate with diverse audiences. Additionally, he leverages his skills as a photo/videographer to craft compelling content for social media and various platforms. With his fun and personable nature, Tobias creates a positive environment wherever he goes.

Václav Staněk

Founder and Entrepreneur

Václav Staněk founded Vasky at the age of 18, when he decided to continue the shoemaking tradition of the city Zlín. Last year, the company Vasky trade s.r.o. managed to sell 200,000 pairs of shoes. Among other things, Václav was included in the prestigious Forbes 30under30 list in 2019 and won the "EY Entrepreneur of the Year" competition in the start-up entrepreneur category at the beginning of 2020. In addition to the company Vasky, he is the co-owner of the brands Bagind, Wuders, Paon and the owner of the marketing agency inhubo. The last big venture was the recent purchase of the Botas brand, which he wants to develop further.