TEDxBasel is back on May 29, 2024! Following last year’s inspiring event 'Views Unveiled', this year’s event promises to create waves! Taking place on the Novartis Campus in the Gehry Auditorium, don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to engage, learn and connect.
History of TED
TED was born in 1984 out of co-founder Richard Saul Wurman’s observation of a powerful convergence among three fields: Technology, Entertainment and Design. The TED conference in 1990 marked the beginning of the annual event in Monterey, California, attracting a growing and influential audience from many different disciplines, united by their curiosity and open-mindedness. For many attendees, TED became one of the intellectual and emotional highlights of the year.
TED currently holds two annual conferences, inviting the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less. The roster of presenters includes scientists, philosophers, musicians, business and religious leaders, philanthropists and many others. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Simon Sinek, Brené Brown, Dan Gilbert and Tony Robbins.
For a number of years, TED was an invitation-only, for-profit, four-day conference event. In 2001 Chris Anderson’s non-profit Sapling Foundation acquired TED with Anderson becoming its curator. In changing the conference to non-profit, Anderson stood by TED’s principles while expanding the TED family to allow for the ideas and inspiration generated at TED to have an impact outside the city limits of Monterey.
Between 2001-2006, TEDGlobal (a sister conference) was held in locations around the world, the TEDPrize was established, which grants its winners one wish to change the world and helps them to translate their wishes into action, and the audio and video podcast series TED Talks was launched, where the best TED content is available free online.
The creation of TEDx came in 2009, a radical opening up of the TED format to local, independently organized events, and the educational initiative TED-Ed was formed in 2012.
TEDx and TEDxBasel
In the spirit of Ideas Worth Spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events (the ‘x’ indicating the event is independently organized) that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.
A TEDx event is a local gathering where live TED-like talks and performances are shared within a local community. TEDx events are fully planned and coordinated independently of TED, on a community-by-community basis, following the general guidance for the TEDx program (TEDx Rules). The content and design of each TEDx event is unique and developed by each organizing team, but all events share common features, such as:
TED’s format: A suite of short, carefully prepared talks, demonstrations and performances that are idea-focused and cover a wide range of subjects to foster learning, inspiration and wonder, and provoke conversations that matter.
Diversity of topics: Multiple issues and diversity of voices from many disciplines.
Community-driven and bias-free content: The goal is to spark conversation, connection and community, and content should not have a commercial, religious or political agenda.
TEDxBasel seeks to extend the TED experience at a regional level, highlighting exceptional ideas, inspiring people and creative works within the community. It explores big questions with a broad spirit of inquiry, striving to connect people across disciplines and create conversations that drive action.
TEDxBasel 2024: Creating Waves
This year’s theme 'Creating Waves' invites attendees to dive into a sea of cutting-edge ideas and stirring conversations. The event starts at 17:00, making it accessible for those with busy schedules. Attendees can expect a lineup of individuals who are at the forefront of their fields, ready to share insights that are both innovative and actionable.
Renowned speakers, whose names will be announced as the event approaches, are set to deliver inspiring talks on a variety of cutting-edge topics. While the full list of speakers is still under wraps, the first six speakers have been announced: Cindy Candrian (AI Entrepreneur, Author & Researcher), Jill Zeugin (Social Worker & Drug Counsellor), Valentin Spiess (Serial Entrepreneur), Caroline Siefarth (R&D Food Technologist), Sai Narasimhan (Music Student) and Fanny Lalot (Social Psychologist).
Tickets
Tickets are available in several categories, ensuring that everyone can attend. General Admission is CHF 60, with a discounted rate of CHF 35 for attendees 26 and under. There is also a 'Friend' ticket for CHF 100, which supports the non-profit initiative behind TEDxBasel. Secure your seat today!
Get Involved with TEDxBasel!
TEDxBasel is a 100% volunteer-run event, relying on the dedication and passion of people who believe in bringing ideas to life. Volunteering offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at the TEDx process and is the perfect opportunity for those looking to make a difference in the community.
Positions vary from event planning to day-of activities, providing a range of ways to contribute. Start by visiting the event website where you will find information on current and past events, including video clips, as well as information about becoming a volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the Get Involved contact form.
I myself was part of the curation team for the 2023 event, which included finding and interviewing potential speakers, helping to select speakers and supporting them in the preparation of their talk. It was a great experience and I really enjoyed working with an amazing team and supporting this inspirational event. I highly recommend getting involved!
TEDxBasel
Event Information
Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Location: Novartis Campus, Gehry Auditorium // Fabrikstrasse 15, 4056 Basel
Time: 17:00 to 22:00
Alison Waterfield
Alison is a Brit who has been in the Basel area for over a decade. She currently resides in Oberwil, where she enjoys having countryside on her doorstep as well as town being only a short tram ride away. She loves cooking, baking and anything food-related and is a beginner food stylist and photographer. She enjoys being in nature and relaxing doing anything wellness-related, as well as engaging in creative activities such as abstract and fluid art and crochet.
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