TEDxChange spreker Marlon Parker heeft tijdens TedxAmsterdam besloten om mee te doen en is eigenlijk de 25ste actie. Om het extra leuk te maken heeft hij besloten om zich 24 uur lang op te sluiten in de ruimte die hij graag voor “zijn” jongeren wil inrichten.

Hier meer info over het project waar hij het voor doet: 1procentclub.nl/projects/rlabsinnov. Hij heeft nog € 4.620,- nodig en hij zit nog tot 1500h vast… Hij heeft er dus al 19 uur op zitten. Laten we kijken of TEDx en TEDxChange hem kunnen helpen!

At the evening session Jim Stolze spoke about TEDxChange in Amsterdam. Explaining how we transformed “Ideas worth spreading” into “Ideas worth doing” he then introduced a video message from Melinda Gates.

Special guest during his talk was Marlon Parker who was in the audience. Marlon then came on stage and shared a very personal story.

One of the evening’s most intriguing questions is why the attendees were there. They all signed up filling out an action oriented application form (think of questions as “ What can you contribute?” and “Where lies your expertise?”) to ensure real change. So when Steven Kop asked why people had specifically chosen Arjan Erkel’s project, everybody answered without a blink: someone could provide broad knowledge, one participant was bitten by a mosquito as a kid, and a somewhat surprising yet practical answer came from a young man who is “deeply connected to Rotterdam and its high buildings.” The moment Arjan asked for an office space to organize project meetings about his gigantic mosquito net plans, the same guy immediately knew a spot – with a view on the desired Euromast. If only all development aid would go this smoothly!

Where can we start to describe the special evening some 108 benevolent change agents took part in last Monday at TEDxChange? There seemed to be a natural ease of exchanging information and knowledge between the guests and speakers. And if the ever rising room temperature reflected people’s burning desire to make that positive change the world needs, we can be reassured. Here are some typical moments you could have experienced.

Rushing to the tables

When we had heard all pitches, moderators Andrew Makkinga and Marcia Luyten, who did a fantastic job, asked the excited audience to make the difficult choice of only two projects. One could join two round tables during which a different course was served by catering service REST. Ever been to a warehouse sale? Let’s say there was a somewhat civilized rush to the ticket table before people spread out through the room. Seated as one of the first, Ron Admiraal joined Consolata Ndayishimiye: “Her story just stood out to me. She is on a very tough mission to move her country forward. I think I’ll be able to support by reaching out to expats living in Burundi.”

All speakers had a personal table host to support them, guide the discussion and collect all personal commitment forms (oh yes, we all had to capture our support on a piece of paper. And there are pictures to prove it, too.) Maybe the hosts have an even stronger connection to the speakers since they signed up to support them at an early stage. Host Frans Thijssen is a big fan of Pascal Katana because he firmly believes the world needs individual leadership more than organizations. “One person can make the difference and I think the future will be shaped by talented individuals.” Frans touches a shared world view there. This seems to me the one underlying belief all TEDsters share: people are not (only) the problem, but the source of solutions. “I love individuals who stand up and make things happen. I can see that in Pascal and his vision on sustainable energy. That’s why I wanted to be his host tonight.”

Andrew Makkinga

Thinking along the same lines, moderator Andrew Makkinga fears the leading group of people who want to cut back on development aid spending and leave it all to the market. “We’re living in a turning point era when it comes to development aid. Tonight it’s real, it is very practical and lying underneath there is this idealistic perspective.” Andrew actively involves youngsters with politics as a presenter, moderator and role model. Aged 27, his resume wouldn’t fit on a wall sized poster. What made him choose TEDxChange? “This is all good stuff going on. As a presenter, you usually work for somebody and try to reach another organization’s goals. You cannot really blend in your own opinion. What we are doing tonight though, really hits my heart.” He describes the evening as a huge milkshake, mixing up people that want to help intensely with those needing some sort of help.

Before wrapping up the event, Andrew surprised the participants interviewing Sjim Hendrix from REST Catering Services. Discussing sustainable food chains and kitchens designed to reuse the energy they create by composting their waste, Sjim explained what was being served: “Y’all ate leftovers!” His left-over catering initiative hauls food from a few luxury hotels and big catering companies and cooks it. This way, they contribute to a smaller environmental impact and wasting less food that is still suitable for consumption.

Bill swept away the audience with catchy one-liners and an intriguing exercise: he asked us all to close our eyes and imagine we were the wind, rushing over open fields and spreading warmth. When I secretly peeked around, almost everybody was making a self-induced trip through nature. You might want to check the pictures for some nice images of this visualization.

On a venture to push creativity, table host Steven Kop told his dinner dates that he wanted to stop the thinking part of their brains. How he did it? Distracting the ratio by immediately answering questions like “What would you do if you could breathe under water?” Steven built up creative pressure to find answers to how participants could add something brilliant to Malaria No More!

When Arjan asks if one of his dinner guests possibly knows an office location for the group’s action day (October 8 ) in Rotterdam,  one guest is able to arrange a location with a view to the Euromast. Easy does it.

Pascal Katana is a young Kenyan university graduate who set up The Young Innovators Club together with his business partner. Their aim is provide tools that empower the growth of technology. Due to one of their inventions, a stable communication was achieved in rural areas of Kenya where there is no national electricity grid available and hence helped in boosting the Kenyan economy.

Click here for more information about Pascal Katana and his wish/project.

Bill Liao is an Australian entrepreneur, business mentor, philanthropist, diplomat, author and speaker with a distinguished record in the areas of business, development and community activism. He is a co-founder of XING, a pioneering social networking platform, and CEO of Finaxis AG, a privately held company in the financial services industry. Bill also mentors entrepreneurs in the making, from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

Click here for more information about Bill Liao and his wish/project.

Tonee Ndugu is a Media Consultant with a specialty in New and Rich Media Tools & Applications. He is the founder of the Wazimba Youth Foundation which is an African youth I.T. out-reach organization that educates and emphasizes on the use of Internet based media, tools and social networks among teens in Africa. He is a Leadership Motivational Speaker, one of the organizers of the very first TEDxKibera and a Social Media enthusiast. Tonee heads up the international office of the 1% club in Kenya which is an online marketplace for small development projects where citizen and companies can contribute 1% of their income, time and knowledge to a project of their own choice. Last year, Tonee started a new initiative, namely an ICT Incubator: NAiLAB in Nairobi.

Click here for more information about Tonee Ndungu and his wish/project.

Arjan Erkel is the Director of Malaria No More! Netherlands. He worked for MSF in Dagestan where he was kidnapped and held hostage for nearly two years. His personal success in life is surviving this kidnapping. Since being freed in 2004, he has written three books; two novels and a management book about diversity. He holds workshops and lectures and since March 2009, he is the director of Malaria No More! Netherlands.

Click here for more information about Arjan Erkel and his wish/project.

In one of the poorest countries in the world, Mme Consolata Ndayishimiye inspired many female entrepreneurs to build up their own company and with that also their self-respect after the terrible events the country went through. Recently she got a new assignment so that she can continue her motivating activities on a national scale.

More information about Consolata Ndayishimiye and her wish/project.

About this speaker
Hans Rosling is Professor of International Health at Karolinska Institute and co-founder of the Gapminder Foundation. Throughout his career, he has researched the links between economic development, agriculture, poverty, and health in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He has served as health adviser to various aid agencies, including the World Health Organization and UNICEF.

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
Debye institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University/Young entrepreneurs for Africa (YEFA)

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
By providing technical knowledge and expertise in the area of Micro and Nanotechnologies since my expertise is in these fields. I can also help in securing partners, NGO and entrepreneurs who are interested in the area of malaria eradication (mosquito nets, medicine, spraying) and marketing the solar powered alternative for lighting, especially in the rural areas with no access to electricity. And I can help by providing real information about the socio economic and political conditions in the cities of interest.

Where can we read more about you?
Anorg

Her Inspiration

I feel that bringing people together is a crucial first step in bringing sustainable innovation to life. I would like to contribute my knowledge and experience of building networks with ideas that can make a difference.

Would you like to join Kate and Bill Liao, apply here if you can help them.

Oliver de Leeuw, TEDxAmsterdam blogger

Yelly Weidenaar – VP, Sustainable Business Development, ABN
AMRO

Volker Schmidt, Initiator/Founder, Open Werkplek

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business:
Open Werkplek / Development platform for Government Open Source Projects.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
I like to help in creating eParticipation projects on the basis of Open Source Software to empower citizens and government institutions alike to be able to work together.

Where can we read more about you?
Open Werkplek

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
TNO is an independent research and innovation organization that applies scientific knowledge to strengthen the innovative power of industry and government.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
Doing research and developing new knowledge is one thing, applying it is another! I have 10 years of management experience at research institutes and know a little bit about how to make new knowledge applicable. Cooperation and sharing of ideas are crucial.

Where can we read more about you?
TNO

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business
PricewaterhouseCoopers – professional services (assurance, tax, advisory).

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
Provide independent assurance and advise on strategy, risk management and corporate governance.

Where can we read more about you?
LinkedIn

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
Zero Generation: Currently contributing to and leading a variety of projects both international and national, ranging from Trainer New Trainers events, Academic and Leadership Summer Schools to designing new training schemes to help capacity build grassroots and student NGOs.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
Introducing people to the web of connections I have both in the student and the young professional arena. Building capacity and seeing opportunities and possibilities.

Where can we read more about you?
Salmaan Sana

Frithjof Wegener – Chairman, Red Cross Studentendesk Delft/President, Delft Management Society

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
Red Cross Studentendesk Delft. The Studentendesk (Student desk) is the student organization of the Dutch Red Cross. Our Motto is Grow! Through helping others. We try to encourage students to do volunteer work in their field of interest and whenever they can. We tailor the project especially to the student’s wishes. We have had medical students learning to practice through first aid projects at sports’ events, law students doing a research project on a specially refitted boat in the Utrecht canals for handicapped people, communication students coming up with a special campaign on fund raising, and several debating and promotion events.
Delft Management Society (DMS). Leadership experience during your studies. DMS is a student organization that acts as a bridge between students and the entrepreneurial world and is dedicated to the academic, career and social development of Delft University of Technology students.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
Network, expertise, volunteers.

Where can we read more about you?
Delft Studentendesks, DMS Society and LinkedIn

Maarten van Leeuwen, Think3P

What is the name of your company/organization?
Think3P

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
We are testdriving our online collaboration platform which focuses on bringing together all sorts of institutions, public and private, to collaborate on a professional level on sustainable development. We believe that we can offer tools that could help to work easily on projects long-distance. Real time writing on documents, sharing documents having chats and so on. In our vision coherence / synergy in development goes beyond borders, organizations and existing networks. It all comes down to bringing the right people together to discuss policies and practical approaches to further establish strong collaborations. We believe we can facilitate that process by bringing together tools and people.

Rob Mol – Creative Director, International Science Art & Sustainability Festival

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
The Other Woman projects. Projects/campaigns with local female artists that shed a new light on womens’ issues and themes in developing countries.  A new approach that activates and involves women from different backgrounds to challenge the status quo and shape their own future. Current focus countries: Surinam and Congo.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
International network of ‘socially-engaged’ female entrepreneurs, business women and artists whom can be mobilised for promotion, leverage, coaching/mentoring and fundraising.

Ben White – Founder, VC4Africa and Champion Afrilabs

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
VC4Africa, a platform for crowdfunding entrepreneurs.
Afrilabs, a network of technology incubators in Africa.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
I can help with contacts and possibly in securing financial resources. At the same time there are ways to partner with VC4Africa and Afrilabs.

Where can we read more about you?
ICT4Entrepreneurship

Hans van de Bunte – Director Public Programs, Royal Tropical Institute (KIT)

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
Tropenmuseum, Royal Tropical Institute Amsterdam
THERE IS A STORY BEHIND EVERYTHING. In the Tropenmuseum Amsterdam we tell and share stories about non-western cultures. In our public programs we promote learning about other cultures and encourage interaction through our thousands of objects displayed in temporary and permanent exhibitions.
The Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) in Amsterdam is an independent centre of knowledge and expertise in the areas of international and intercultural cooperation. The Institute contributes to sustainable development, poverty alleviation and cultural preservation and exchange.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
Providing my network and personal skills to communities and inspiring individuals who have a vision and a strong passion to create sustainable growth gives me energy. It inspires me to share my creativity and innovation for public-private investments in TEDxChange projects. To do so I offer my time & knowledge as a sparring partner with access to my network. I will be able to help in the areas of co-creation, education, cultural preservation and cultural exchange, building communities and bringing projects to a wide audience, raising awareness, inclusiveness and sustainable relations with communities.

Where can we read more about you?
LinkedIn

Jeroen Mirck – Community Manager, Deloitte Innovation

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
Deloitte Innovation enables its clients to increase their innovatory strength and instill a culture of innovation throughout the organization. Deloitte’s innovation program not only delivers tangible short-term results, but also a commitment to innovation as a long-term strategic focus that offers sustainable growth.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
Marketing, communications, P.R. and social media. I have access to a network of Dutch opinion leaders, marcom professionals and journalists.

Where can we read more about you?
Jeroen Mirck

Marloes Pomp – Free Agent, Digital Action

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
Digital Action, www.digitalaction.nl

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
The new world of work, open innovation, social media, working on a smaller, better and pleasant public service, virtues.

Where can we read more about you?
Marloes Pomp

Tim van der Hoogt – Senior Advisor, Deloitte Real Estate Advisory

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
Deloitte Real Estate Advisory. Deloitte real estate advisers have a thorough knowledge of issues and developments in real estate. We offer specific real estate services in management and IT consulting, corporate finance, tax, accountancy, legal and notary services. These services include business location services, development, valuation, help with local tax issues and valuation in the light of the law on valuation of immovable property (Wet Waardering Onroerende Zaken), and advice on public and private participations.
With our vast and specialized service offering, Deloitte is able to provide customized solutions for real estate. Our specialists are supported by a global team of experts and work in the following market segments:
Construction, corporate real estate users, hospitality and leisure, housing corporations / health care institutions, investors and financers, municipalities, real estate bankers, parking, project developers, schools and multifunctional facilities.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
Innovative ideas for energy solutions.

Leanne Bogers – Founder, Clev

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
Marketing & communication plan, spreading the news, let the community grow organically. Advertising is a way of telling, feeling and believing in the things you dream of.

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
Baur Technology. Advisory services in renewable energy and triple bottom line business models in emerging markets.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
For instance, elements of research on technology sector of Africa’s informal economy.

Where can we read more about you?It´s a new company, start date scheduled by end of September.

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
Independent Consultant. Integrated Communications Campaigns, Online marketing & Social Media, PR.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
Organization (fundraising, marketing and communication plan), access to media (PR) and the acquisition of communication specialists for PR and participation in important trade fairs.

Where can we read more about you?
LinkedIn

Her Inspiration

‘No man is wise enough by himself’ is an expression by Titus Maccius Plautus (254BC – 184BC)! Connecting people & working together was and still is essential to be able to build a brighter future for all individuals on our planet. I am honored that I am invited and able to assist such as a remarkable group of individuals. Providing my time and skills to individuals who have a vision, a desire and a passion to create sustainable growth in developing countries is a pleasure and honor. It will also inspire me, and will give a lot of energy which can be used for more creativity, innovation and growth for the current TEDxChange projects.

Would you like to join Yvette and Ndubuisi Ekekwe, apply here if you can help them.

Why do you want to help?
I believe that I don’t just live for myself. I want to try and make the world a better place. To do so I offer my time, my knowledge, expertise and my network to help others.

Where can we read more about you?
Linkedin

Samuel Okwuagbala – Student at University of Duisburg, Founder of Global Technology and Culture Transfer (GTCT)

Freek Bodemeijer – Partner, 3con Management Consulting

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
3con Management Consulting GmbH; management consulting.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
General assistance on commercial/business issues, access to network, sparring.

Where can we read more about you?
LinkedIn

Marjan Huisman – Self Employed Manager Communication

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
Marjan Huisman Communicatie & Coaching; core business is management, consulting and coaching in Communication: Branding, Strategy, PR and Media.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
Communication strategy, press/media, PR: setting up a communications plan.

Where can we read more about you?
Marjan Huisman Communicatie

Maarten Freriks – Director, idGroep 

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
idGroep; to organize professional workers in a commercial setting, to deliver services to society that are contributing to participation of all groups and individuals.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
My contribution could be my knowledge of organising businesses and networks, and my creative thinking. Originally educated as an industrial designer, I regard myself as a designer of solutions and processes on social and organisational issues.

Where can we read more about you?
idGroep

information to follow

What is the name of your company/organization and its core business?
Meneer de Leeuw; a lab for sustainable innovation and societal change.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
Concept development, co-creation, mobilise people, create movements.

Where can we read more about you? 
Meneer de Leeuw, LinkedIn and Wijland

Sander Smits van Oyen – md, SOVEC

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
SOVEC; social venture capital in West Africa, esp. Ghana

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
Invest in Ghana, contacts, business development, education 
 
Where can we read more about you?
Sovec

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
Hyperkinesis; Marketing and Communications Strategies, Business Development, Business Planning, Social Media and Community Involvement, Project Management

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
I would be the most useful in developing community engagement strategies, PR campaigns, creating awareness and assisting or managing the execution of the plans.

Where can we read more about you?
You can read more about my interests and advocacy work at my personal blog:
Red Light Politics

Claudius Wolff – Founder, Wolff PR

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
Wolff PR; Public Relations

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
Not sure yet. 

Where can we read more about you?
Wolff PR

Annewies Kuipers – Consultant Small & Medium Enterprises, Syntens

What is the name of your company?
Syntens; a business innovation network that stimulates successful innovation, reinforces the innovative capacity of enterprises in The Netherlands and contributes visibly to lasting growth.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
Open up my network in the Netherlands and West Africa, connecting him with technological, technical en juridical partners.

Where can we read more about you?
LinkedIn

What is the name of your company/organization and what is its core business?
BiD network; core business is preparing entrepreneurs in emerging markets for investors. Our services are: business plan competitions, in sectors and countries, a coaching programme and an online business community.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?
I could support with the acquisition of investors and partners.

Where can we read more about you?
Bidnetwork

Her History

Marcia Luyten is a cultural historian and economist. She works as a journalist, publicist, moderator and is the author of “Ziende blind in de sauna: Hoe onze politiek, economie en cultuur ‘Afrikaanse trekken’ krijgen” (Lemniscaat 2008) and “Witte geef geld” (Podium 2003).

Her Inspiration

TEDxChange could be the culmination of what years in Africa have taught me: development requires people with an entrepreneurial spirit. It requires people who search for what works. They deserve support. At this TEDxChange, good ideas no longer remain ideas.

Would you like to join Marcia and Ndubuisi Ekekwe, apply here if you can help them.

His Inspiration

To empower individuals to make a difference for their country is for me very inspiring. I have a very strong belief that any chance will come from the actions of those who are take leadership over their lives and the lives of others. I will be very happy to bring in my skills.

Would you like to join Frans and Pascal Katana, apply here if you can help them.

His Inspiration

PUM deploys experienced Dutch senior managers and experts to provide assistance to entrepreneurs in developing countries

As country manager for Burundi I would like to assist Mme Consolata NDAYISHIMIYE, former president of the AFAB (chamber of Commerce for women) in Burundi and recently appointed as the president of the Federal Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Burundi during TEDxChange in Amsterdam on September the 20st.
In one of the poorest countries in the world, Mme Consolata NDAYISHIMIYE inspired many female entrepreneurs to build up their own company and with that also their self-respect after the terrible events the country went through. Recently she got a new assignment so that she can continue her motivating activities on a national scale.

The economy in Burundi has been seriously damaged and has to be build up again by entrepreneurs and businessmen. Consolata has proven to be the right person to stimulate this essential process.

In which areas will you be able to help our speakers?

As personal coach and “table owner”. It is the first time she assists to such a meeting and her native language is French, therefore she needs all the help she can get.

Where can we read more about you?

Linkedin.

Would you like to join Léander and Consolata Ndayishimiye, apply here if you can help them.