Theme: #NOMANISANISLAND

TEDxRhodes 2015 is an locally organised TEDx experience by the local and international people of Rhodes, Greece.

The theme “No Man is an Island” is a timely stance against the friction, division and isolation that permeates domains of human existence and endeavour the world over. A glocal initiative that aims to cross-fertilise human-centred, inter-disciplinary ideas while bearing the message for modern Man that life is held in common. Multitudes and complexities, differences and partitions become opportunities to forge connections, lay bridges and strive for meaningful connectedness that has always formed the core of human flourishing and societal progress.

Speakers and participants will be asked to make contributions in resonance of the central theme of #NoManIsAnIsland, just as No Country, No Ideology, No Science, No Culture has ever been an island.

The world is an increasingly connected landscape, join us on the journey of becoming fully aware of this union.

TEDxRhodes

Bastion of Grand Master's Palace of Rhodes
Grand Master's Palace
Medieval Town
Rhodes, Notio Aigaio, 85100
Greece

Andy Williamson

Dr Andy Williamson helps make democracy work better by transforming the underlying architecture and helping it to become more intimate and co-creating. Working with parliaments, governments and civil society, he facilitates openness and strategic transformation, finding innovative ways to make democracy work better for all of us.

Bess Fotopoulos - de Boer

Born in Toronto to Greek, Bess’ early life was driven by a silent vow turned mission that fueled a desire to study law. Earning her degree from a distinguished school at an early age and moving on to a fast-paced career climb her life was marked by all the recognized milestones of achievement, when at 30 she made an unorthodox and unexpected shift. This decision left shockwaves in its wake, and found her far removed from her peers and those closest to her. Bess explains that the courage to stand alone, to dare to be an island far from the shores of the masses was pivotal to true self-discovery and to understanding that no man is born an island! Bess’ is currently producing “Ancestors”, an epic photographic journey to bring awareness to the deep connection we all share by retracing humanity’s steps backwards, so as to guide our steps ahead. She is also documenting her journey through this work through her writing, in her recently launched blog (www.bessdeboer.com).

Eleni Kakalou

Dr. Eleni Kakalou is an infectious disease specialist who has served as President of the Greek Department of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and has extensive experience in international humanitarian missions especially in African countries. She is a research associate at the University of Athens Masters program “International Medicine - Health Crisis Management “.

Elina Theodorakopoulou

Elina currently works as a Dermatology trainee at Andreas Sygros Dermatology Teaching Hospital in Athens, Greece. She holds a medical degree from Athens Medical School, Greece, and a Ph.D in Translational Medicine from the University of Manchester, UK.Her research focuses on the stratification of a common skin disease called psoriasis. During her Ph.D studies, she was a certified, Graduate Teaching Assistant for medical, pharmacology and dental students of the University of Manchester. She also has a 5-year involvement, in the UK and Greece, as a sub-investigator, in clinical trials of medicinal and cosmeceutical products for skin diseases. Elina has presented her research in many national and international dermatology conferences and has contributed as a co-author in various scientific publications. She is a strong believer of the power of voluntarism and serves as medical volunteer at Symplefsi, a Greek NGO which provides medical help and advice across isolated Greek islands.

Evi Kavrochorianou

Evangelia Kavrochorianou is a young researcher of Computer Science and Biomedical informatics at the University of Thessaly in Greece. Her passionate talk is about how mechanisms of knowledge verification can serve as catalysts towards equitable communication and education!

Manolis Theoulakis

Manolis Theoulakis has been an educator for more than 40 years and prolific professor of byzantine music. He is one of the few left in Greece carrying on the living tradition but also on that leads academic research on its treatises.

Nasia Stouraiti

Nasia Stouraiti is an unconventional high-school senior on the island of Rhodes with a particular interest in art and especially photography, where she has already earned national and international recognition.

Nick Brown

Nick Brown is a personal coach and psychology researcher whose break in psychology has been highlighted by his disruptive and thorough counter theorising of traditional psychological theories, including prominent theories about happiness. This work including latest research revolving the limitations of classical quantitative social psychology and associated problems with the academic publishing process has rendered him a thought leader in the field of critical psychology!

Nikos Lygeros

Nikos Lygeros is a well known multi-disciplinary researcher holding a number of world records on solving complex mathematical problems. He is considered to be among the Greeks with the highest IQ in the world.

Paul Efmorfidis

Paul Efmorfidis, the ingenious Laconian entrepreneur, co-founder of COCO-MAT and a pioneer in eco-friendly sleep quality has inspired thousands to follow their dreams through his conscientious & eco-friendly lifestyle.

Vasilis Xypolytas

Vasilis Xypolytas is the man who led the creation of the first “green” public building as well as the first ever composting at source process in Greece. After studying abroad (Harvard, Kings College, Coventry), Vasilis became very active in his community by serving for eight years as a Councilor of the Municipality of Kifissia in Athens, including three years as Deputy Mayor. Today he serves as vice president of the National Centre for Emergency Care (E.K.A.V) and manages two start-up companies in the food and energy industries.