In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Amsterdam University College
Sciencepark 113
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, 1098
Netherlands

Anne de Graaf

Anne de Graaf has travelled to conflict areas, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe documenting the stories and experiences of young people. Her books, over 80 in number with over 5 million copies sold, are based on these interviews and expose their readers to another side of conflicts that is often ignored in the bigger picture: the children.

Barbara Koole

Barbara is an environmental visionary and project manager at WASTED, a community action project in Amsterdam focusing on the processing of plastic waste on a small scale. The WASTED program promotes recycling and environmental consciousness while giving back to local people and involving them in the recycling process.

Bas Hintemann

Bas Hintemann was drawn to building and programming for the internet from a young age. ‘Why?’ is a fundamental question to him: Why does this system work like this? Why do we do things a certain way? His bachelor studies was the most recent victim of ‘Why?’. He dropped out to focus on starting downhe.re: an online space to ‘change the game of daily life’ — and discuss these fundamental questions.

Franz Schrepf

Franz Schrepf is a student at the University of Amsterdam, focussing on economics and business. He was invited to speak at TEDxAUCollege because of the inspiring way in which he uses the key principles of marketing theory to analyze and change our daily lives.

Gijsje Koenderink

Gijsje is currently conducting research on forces and mechanisms at the cellular level and their impact on health and evolution. She has been awarded the Personal Marie Curie IOF fellowship (2003-2006), and is an elected member of 'The Young Academy' of the 'Royal Dutch Academy of Arts and Sciences' (KNAW). She helps develop quantitative microscopy-based experimental techniques to study reconstituted minimal model systems that mimic living cells and tissues.

Jeroen van Baar

Jeroen van Baar studied Psychology and Neuroscience in Utrecht and Paris. Now he is a PhD candidate at the Donders institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour in Nijmegen and a participant at SMO Promovendi (Society and Enterprise Foundation). He recently published his first book "De Prestatiegeneratie" which looks at where our drive to excel comes from and where it will take us. His intriguing ideas on our generations need to excel apply to people from all different backgrounds and perspectives.

Karsu Dönmez

Karsu Dönmez is an inspiring musician who has risen to stardom over the past few years. She performed at TEDxAmsterdam in 2009, she was invited by the Netherlands-American Community Trust to perform at Carnegie Hall, New York and subsequently made her first tour in 2010/11 with her performances at the Concertgebouw selling out. With her Turkish heritage, she has been writing and performing songs both in Turkish and in English, performing all over the world.

Shane Bitney Crone

Shane Bitney Crone lost his partner of six years on May 7, 2011. His world was turned upside down not only from the loss of his best friend and love of his life, but also the additional heartbreak and discrimination he endured in the aftermath. Crone channeled his grief and pain into a desire to spread social awareness by creating a short video that chronicled his experiences. The emotional video went viral within a few days and caught the attention of global media, celebrities, and prominent LGBT advocates and allies. As a result, Crone became an "accidental activist" and the video was turned into a feature-length documentary, Bridegroom (which also happened to be his late partner's last name). The film was introduced by President Bill Clinton when it screened at the Tribeca Film Festival and went on to win Audience Awards at dozens of festivals. Bridegroom has inspired millions, including Oprah Winfrey, who premiered the film on her television network.

Thijl Klerkx

Since starting his first company at the age of 12, Thijl Klerkx has become one of the 25 most successful young entrepreneurs in the Netherlands. Whilst currently being an advisor to the Randstad Group and KLM, Thijl still has the entrepreneurial spirit at heart and continues to turn his new ideas into action.