TEDxYouth@Toronto

Revolution

Blog

  1. 3 Reasons Why You Should Apply to Join the TEDxYouth@Toronto Team!

    8254775052_46263d1284_b

    Your chance to join the TEDxYouth@Toronto team this year has arrived, and the applications are pouring in.  You may be wondering though, what makes this such a unique volunteer opportunity?  Based on input from our team members and my experiences, here are a few reasons why you should apply!

    Inspire GTA youth and introduce them to new ideas and role models.

    Our vision when we first started this event was a forum for youth to engage and share ideas, discuss all kinds of topics and hopefully get inspired to start something new!  We are thrilled to see students line up to chat with entrepreneurs and crowd around scientists for autographs instead of the usual celebrities.  We see this happen year after year at the event – youth are excited to learn of all the options that are available to them.  The students soak up an entire day of talks (while furiously scribbling notes), make new friends, and leave TEDxYouth@Toronto empowered!  Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?

    Meet like-minded young professionals.

    We’ve all made those New Year’s resolutions – this year I’m going to network more  And the reality is, it’s harder once you’re done school!  That’s why I’m excited to work with the TEDxYouth@Toronto committee year after year.  Our team attracts a bright and diverse group of young professionals in fields ranging from consulting and finance, to the arts and academia.  What we all have in common is a passion for TED, and the potential that this platform has to make a difference.  Well that, and most of us share a love of baked goods at meetings.  Through my time with the organizing team, I am glad to have met this network of awesome individuals and life-long friends!

    Be part of something much greater than the individual.

    I was a keener throughout school, always involved in extra-curriculars and supporting a number of causes.  Entering the workforce was a bit of a rude awakening – for the first time, I felt like I was missing something.  TEDxYouth@Toronto gave me back some of my drive and passion – because let’s face it, there’s more to life than work.  Being part of an event that supports the community and requires a huge team effort is really fulfilling.  I may get tired, I may be frustrated at times, but at the end of the day, I am glad to contribute to something great!  It all hits home on event day when I see hundreds of youth voluntarily waking up early on a Saturday morning to spend the day listening to our incredible speakers.  It is truly remarkable.

    There’s one week left to apply to join this year’s organizing team – applications are being accepted until March 6th at midnight.  Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this amazing experience.  Apply now at http://tedxyouthtoronto.ca/team-application/ – and spread the word to any friends who may be interested.  We definitely couldn’t do this without you.

    Sabeen
    Co-Chair

    Comments Off

  2. Photos, Videos and Reflections from 2012

    tedx_violin

    Dear TEDxers,

    We hope everyone enjoyed an amazing start to 2013!  As we enter this new year, we’d like to reflect on the past and give thanks to all those who helped to make TEDxYouth@Toronto 2012 a success!  For those who would like to re-live their favourite TEDxYouth@Toronto moments, you can do so via the following methods!

    1. Photos

    See if you can spot yourself in our event photos taken by our official photographers Mariam Magsi and Hendrick Lau.  Highlights of the photos can be found on our Facebook page, and the complete set of high quality pictures can be found on our Flickr Collection.

    2. Speaker Videos

    We know everyone has been asking about them, so here they are!  Many thanks to our videographer sponsor Ovu for their expertise in the filming, editing and publishing of these videos.  All our speaker videos can be found on our YouTube Channel.  In addition, you can find the same videos on the TEDxYouth official YouTube Channel.

    For those who want more, you can also check out the 2010 and 2011 TEDxYouth@Toronto speaker videos on our channel.

    3. Posts about the event

    We’d like to thank everyone for spreading the word about us!  In the spirit of TED – “Ideas worth spreading” –  we want to let all Toronto youth know about the wide variety of TED and TEDx talks out there.  In particular, thank you to Jocelyn, TEDxYouth@Toronto Youth Ambassador and Reporter, for her post about the event which has been republished on the TEDxYouthDay blog.

    As we look back over the years, we’re amazed by all the support we have received to help make this annual event a success.  TEDxYouth@Toronto started in 2010 with a group of friends who thought: “wouldn’t it be cool to have a TEDx conference just for Toronto youth?”  Today, we’re incredibly excited to see that the event has grown to over 200 participants in 2012. Many thanks to our supporters, in particular our Pioneer Sponsors: Ontario Science Centre and ING Direct, as well as our dedicated team members for making this possible.

    We look forward to all the amazing things in store for 2013!

    TEDxYouth@Toronto Team

    Comments Off

  3. 1 more day until TEDxYouth@Toronto

    lastcall_pic

    Tomorrow is the big day!  We are finalizing the schedule for the day, buying last minute supplies, double-checking our streaming capabilities and setting up the stage at the Ontario Science Centre.

     

    1. 2012 Speakers and Performers

    For those who cannot wait, check out the bios for our 2012 speakers and performers to get a sneak preview of their talks.  We have also embedded some of the Speaker Introduction Videos on their pages.  Many thanks to Ovu: an Images Life Company for making them!  We’ve embedded Natalie’s below.

     

    2. Delegate Reminder

    For our delegates who have confirmed their attendance at the Ontario Science Centre tomorrow, we look forward to meeting you!  Please ensure to show up on time for registration between 10-10:30am.  In addition, don’t forget your Parent Consent/Media Release form and a piece of ID!  Please check the last email we have sent you (check your junk folder in case it was missed) for a complete checklist.

     

    3. Participating Virtually on Nov 17th

    For those who cannot join us in-person at the Ontario Science Centre, you can join in and watch all the talks of the day through either of the two options below.  (Full schedule here):

    • Join us on our Live-Stream!  TEDxYouth@Toronto 2012 will be live-streamed starting at 11am on Nov 17th!  Grab some popcorn and watch all the talks from the comfort of your own home.  Simply visit our website on Nov 17th to start the stream.
    • TEDxYouth@Toronto viewing party at the ING Cafe.  The Downtown ING Cafe will be hosting our official all-ages viewing party on Nov 17th starting at 11am.  Drop by the cafe between 11am and 5pm and bring your friends and family to watch your favorite speakers with other like-minded TEDx’ers.

    4. Our Supporters

    Before the event, we want to take this opportunity to thank our supporters!  TEDxYouth@Toronto would not have been possible without the generosity of our many sponsors.  Our Pioneer sponsors: Ontario Science Centre & ING Direct Canada; our Leader sponsors: Toronto Terminal Railway, Certified Management Accountants – Ontario; our In-Kind sponsors: Kobo, The UPS Store, MyBadges.com; and our Media and Communications sponsor: Brown & Cohen.  We thank you for your continued support of youth empowerment in Toronto!

    If you have any questions, let us know at GetInvolved@TEDxYouthToronto.ca.  We hope to see everyone there (in person or virtually) tomorrow!

    TEDxYouth@Toronto Team

    Comments Off

  4. Quotes and Highlights from Your Applications

    nametags

    On the evening of October 25th we, the entire TEDxYouth Toronto Outreach Team, locked ourselves in a meeting room for hours.  Across a long black desk covered with laptops, sushi containers, cupcakes and homemade cookies, we sat with our high stacks of applications and pored over every word.

    Reading your applications is one of our favourite parts in organizing TEDxYouth Toronto.   We left that room tired, but excited and inspired about the generation of future leaders we saw reflected in those applications.

    This year, we asked GTA youth three simple questions.   Here are some responses that made us laugh, evoked thought, and generally blew us away.

    What does the theme mean to you?

    • From the fall of the Berlin wall and uprisings in the Middle East, to the invention of the microchip and the launch of Mars Curiosity, to me (R)evolution is the driving force that keeps our world spinning, changing, and constantly improving.
    • One [person] can shape a city, a country, or how about the whole world – I call this phenomenon the digital revolution.
    • Revolution is like travelling in the fog – you can’t see where you’re going, you have a place in mind, but you don’t know whether you will get there or not.  But you continue the journey anyway.
    • The challenge now has become to transition from revolution to evolution where the objectives are no longer to oust cruel dictators, but to bring stability and subsequent progress.
    • In such a rapidly changing world, the only way to survive is by thinking innovatively, thinking big, and thinking boldly.

    What do you hope to get out of the event?

    • I really want to be educated by those considered experts in their field because one day I hope to become one too.
    • …the opportunity to connect with passionate, motivated youth from across the GTA.
    • Many of my friends who’ve gone to TEDx have really inspired me.  They’d come back changed, as a whole new person.
    • I really hope to learn about things I never would have thought I would be interested in.
    • I’d like to gain a new direction from attending a TEDxYOUTH conference.  TED talks are something like an x-ray on life: they remove the top layer and display the system beneath it.
    • … an experience of a lifetime.

    What are two things you’ve always wanted to learn?

    • I want to learn the science (with proof) behind yawning and why it is so contagious?
    • How to practice parkour wearing a skirt?
    • How can we improve public transport in Toronto?
    • What I  have wondered, as I come closer and closer to beginning higher education, is what happens w hen I reach the end.  What do you do from there on, when there is nothing more to learn from other people, when you must now contribute to the information that becomes part of the next edition of textbooks?
    • How to whistle?
    • How to transform an idea into reality?
    Comments Off

  5. Speaker Intro Videos (and how to join us on Nov 17th)

    TEDxYouthTO youtube vid screenshot

    There are less than 2 weeks until TEDxYouth@Toronto and we’re very excited about the big day!

    1. 2012 Speaker Introduction Videos

    For those who cannot wait, check out our first batch of introduction videos where our speakers offer a glimpse of what they will be sharing on Nov 17th.  Many thanks to Ovu: an Images Life Company for making them!  We’ve embedded the first of them below.  Check back more as we continue to post new ones.

    2. Ways to Participate on Nov 17th

    For those who cannot join us in-person at the Ontario Science Centre, you can join in and watch all the talks of the day through either of the two options below:

    • TEDxYouth@Toronto viewing party at the ING Cafe.  The Downtown ING Cafe will be hosting our official all-ages viewing party on Nov 17th starting at 11am.  Drop by the cafe between 11am and 5pm and bring your friends and family to watch your favorite speakers with other like-minded TEDx’ers!
    • Join us on our Live-Stream!  TEDxYouth@Toronto 2012 will be live-streamed starting at 11am on Nov 17th!  Grab some popcorn and watch all the talks from the comfort of your own home.  You can even join in the online discussion via our Twitter and Facebook streams (bottom of the page).  Anyone can watch our live-stream, so let your friends know about this as well!  Simply visit our website on Nov 17th to start the stream.

    If you have any questions, let us know at GetInvolved@TEDxYouthToronto.ca.

    Comments Off

  6. Announcing our Second Round of Speakers

    second4speakers

    TEDxYouth@Toronto 2012 is pleased to welcome our second round of speakers/performers!  Andrew, Chris, Aziza and Rohit, thanks for joining us and welcome!

    Applications are closing soon on Oct 20th (today!), so don’t miss out and apply today!

    Aziza Chaouni

    Aziza Chaouni is founding principal of Bureau E.A.S.T. and Aziza Chaouni Projects, and Assistant Professor at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. Her personal research is focused both on developing world design issues and on methodologies to integrate architecture and landscape, and more particularly through investigating the potential of green technologies in arid climates.

    More about Aziza

     

    Andrew Chung [Performer]

    Andrew “Pyro” Chung started showing interest in dancing at the age of 12, learning how to do hip-hop choreography from his older sister. From there Pyro discovered the art of street dancing and took on the art of popping at the age of 14, which he continuously strives to perfect. One year later, while still growing as a dancer, Pyro found a natural skill in the art of bboying which then became one of his other main art forms.

    More about Andrew

     

    Christopher Olah

    Chris Olah is a maker and aspiring mathematician. He is presently serving Hacklab Toronto as one of its directors and trying to make awesome things — in particular, a new open-source CAD program — as a Thiel Fellow.

    More about Chris

     

    Rohit Ramchandani

    Rohit is Founder & Principal at Antara Global Health Advisors, a Canadian-based consultancy that provides clients with global health expertise. He is a Doctor of Public Health candidate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Public Health Advisor & Principal Investigator at ColaLife, serves on the Advisory Board of Raising the Village, and is a member of the UN Innovation Working Group under the Every Woman, Every Child Initiative.

    More about Rohit

     

    TEDxYouth@Toronto will be hosted at the Ontario Science Centre on November 17th. We welcome all GTA high school students to apply.

    TEDxYouth@Toronto
    Speaker Committee

    Comments Off

  7. 5 Reasons why you should apply to attend TEDxYouth@Toronto

    5reasonstoapply_pic

    It’s that time of the year again. The time when applications open, and youth from across the Greater Toronto Area open that application and think long and hard about why attending TEDxYouth@Toronto is so important for them.

    Going through the applications is the hardest job for us as organizers. Every application we receive is brilliant; so brilliant that it makes us, the organizers, look bad. This is a time to be creative, to be bold.

    Some of us here ask ourselves what would motivate youth to send us this mountain of applications. Here are the 5 reasons that were highest on our list:

    1. Ontario Science Centre
    How could someone not want to be at the Ontario Science Centre? It is the fondest memory for a lot of us; discovering the wonders of science and running around those halls when we were kids (still do whenever we get a chance). Getting a chance to host the TEDxYouth@Toronto conference here is just perfection and we couldn’t have built a better location if we tried.

    2. A day with your friends
    Seriously. How awesome is it to spend an entire day listening to some awesome talks with your best friends and like minded people from around our amazing city. Awesome would be understatement. The only thing that day would make this day even more amazing would be a lineup of some truly incredible speakers.

    3. Lineup of incredible speakers
    We’ve been fortunate enough to host some of the biggest names and brightest minds from all walks of life. Last year we had some major celebrities too, with Ziya Tong and Arlene Dickinson. Just goes to show how important we are to the people who make a difference every day. Getting a chance to get such exquisite food for your brain is just too good to pass up. It’s like being in a room with Yoda; only there’s more than one Yoda!

    4. Celebrate Universal Children’s Day!
    That’s right! We have the unique opportunity every year to host our event in accordance with Universal Children’s Day – how incredible is that! You don’t just get to come to see TED Talks at the OSC, but become part of hundreds of similar conferences around the world. You can share experiences, tweet friends and give shout outs to peeps across the globe.

    5. Have your mind blown
    Attending a TEDx event is unlike any other experience. Ask anyone of your friends who has had a chance to be a part of one and they’ll tell you. It’s not just about watching someone important giving a speech. The whole point is to have your mind blown – literally. You show up in an auditorium filled with passionate youth, headlined by brilliant speakers, organized by an extremely hard working team, hosted by an incredible group of people – all to realize that you are not the only one looking to make a difference. You have a team spanning the entire globe. And that realization alone, is worth attending.

    Now don’t just sit there thinking about it. Turn on those creative juices and fill in those applications today!  Applications close on Oct 20th.

    Comments Off

  8. New Theme, New Website

    logo_greyborder

    Welcome to the new TEDxYouth@Toronto site! We hope you enjoy it as much as we have redesigning it.

    Since our inception in 2010, our humble website has been built and maintained by a group of volunteer webmasters (some professional, some self-taught). Our first site has served as well, but as we enter our third year and require additional functionalities, we have sadly outgrown our old site.

    Keeping with this year’s theme of (R)evolution, we have decided to redesign our website from scratch! Our in-house designer conceptualized our new layout and theme, while our webmasters implemented a more scalable backend on WordPress, reducing the complexity of adding and updating content.

    In this new site, we hope you will enjoy the simplified navigation, cleaner interface, and a more playful design for our ever-youthful audience. While maintaining the iconic TED motif with the distinctive red (for those curious, #FF2B06) and black colors, we have added secondary design elements to highlight this year’s theme of (R)evolution.

    Design iterations of the (R)evolution logo

    Our secondary theme to complement the iconic TED colours

    On our front page, you will also see highlights from our newly launched TEDxYouth@Toronto blog. Check back often as our organizing team and guest writers share their thoughts and TEDx experiences. In the meantime, take a look at the first blog post from our event chair, Sabeen, as she kicks off the 2012 year!

    In the coming weeks, we will continue to improve the site by adding new content, so don’t be surprised if you see new pages the next time you check back. In the unlikely scenario that you stumble across a 404 page (or an incorrectly rendered page), please let us know so that we can fix it.

    Thanks and have fun exploring!

    TEDxYouth@Toronto
    Design and Web Team

    Comments Off

  9. Recap – First Round of Speakers

    first4speakesr

    TEDxYouth@Toronto 2012 is pleased to welcome our first round of speakers! Many thanks for joining us on November 17th, as we bring together a group of innovative speakers, spectacular performers and Toronto’s inquisitive young minds in the spirit of “ideas worth spreading”. We look forward to informative and inspiring talks and the diversity of experiences they will share. Check back often as we announce more speakers in the coming weeks!

    Don’t miss out on the excitement and join us at on Nov 17th. Applications to TEDxYouth@Toronto are open now until Oct 20th.

    For those who have missed our initial speaker introductions, here is a quick recap. (more…)

    Comments Off

  10. Welcome to TEDxYouth@Toronto

    OnStage

    TEDxYouth@Toronto 2012 is the third annual and official TEDxYouth Day conference to be held in Toronto. This year’s event will take place Saturday, November 17th, 2012 at the Ontario Science Centre. The TEDxYouth@Toronto team is very excited to bring you what we feel will be our most (r)evolutionary event yet!

    Attend

    There are 200 spots reserved for general attendees to participate in the live event. Tickets are free of charge and open to all GTA high school students via a quick application process. Applications are now open until October 20th, and selected attendees will be notified at the end of October.
    If you are not selected as a general attendee or are not a high school student, you can still participate in this year’s event! The event will be live streamed to a global audience so you can tune in on November 17th – details to follow. We will also be hosting our official satellite event at the ING Direct Café at 221 Yonge Street for anyone who would like to attend – we’ll be posting details about the satellite closer to the event so stay tuned!

    Speakers

    This year’s theme, (R)evolution, focuses on the evolution of our society, as well as the revolutionary ideas, visionaries and movements that have made the world a better place. TEDxYouth@Toronto 2012 will be a celebration of positive change and will inspire you to challenge the status quo by showcasing a line-up of leading revolutionaries within their fields. We bring to you the evolved revolution.

    Our first round of speakers includes Dr. Jeremy Friedberg, co-founder of Spongelab Interactive, and Natalie Panek, Mission Systems and Operations Engineer with MDA Space Missions.

    Make sure you follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates as we share more details about this year’s event!

    TEDxYouth@Toronto Blog

    Our blog is something new to our re-vamped site, and will give us a chance to share more from behind-the-scenes of organizing this event. This is my third year chairing this event, and I’m excited to share updates from our amazing team with you.

    Youth Ambassadors

    Another first this year is our fantastic team of youth ambassadors, representing TEDxYouth@Toronto from schools across the GTA. These ambassadors were selected from numerous applications for their passion and excitement about this year’s event. Keep an eye out for articles and Tweets from them as they spread TEDxYouth@Toronto throughout the community. If you missed out on being a youth ambassador, don’t worry, we’ll be looking for more next year – and you can still participate as a general attendee.

    If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at info@tedxyouthtoronto.ca. Any media inquiries can be directed to media@tedxyouthtoronto.ca. We look forward to seeing you at this year’s event!

    Cheers to ideas worth spreading!

    Sabeen Saeed, Event Chair

    Comments Off