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).

Fitland XL
Milaanstraat 115
Sittard, Limburg, 6135 LH
Netherlands

Bente Kerckhoffs - Céline Houben

Bente Kerckhoffs and Céline Houben live in Valkenburg aan de Geul The Netherlands. They are both 15 years old and friends since primary school. They are playing the flute for 7 years.

Schaal van Richter

Spectacular , surprising and humorous percussion are 3 words which describe the Dutch percussion band Schaal van Richter. They are named after the Richter Scale as a reference to the vibrations that their percussion music creates. Above all, their joy in playing and making fun together is contagious and is certainly noticable during their show! Their first participatio at a Gala concert was such a success that was soon decided to keep it in tact. Soon after, they've become a frequently asked partyband that energizes te audience during carnival, dance-parties, corporate events and theater- and popfestivals. With their visuals, humor and covers from campy dance-classics you certainly wil get a smile on your face and your feet on the dance floor.

Ira Querelle

Ira Querelle is a 16 year old high-school student at Trevianum Scholengroep in the Netherlands. After her graduation she would like to study English at a University. Going abroad and developing her English skills and character are her main interests. Ira enjoys listening to music, working out and reading English literature. Ira found out about body image issues throughout the internet and social media. Becoming aware that numerous people are having problems with their self- esteem and body image was quite a revelation to the 16 year old. When her English teacher gave her the opportunity to write and perform a TED-talk at a local TED-contest, she came up with an inspiring speech. By explaining what body image exactly is and how it affects people she asks her audience to take a closer look at their own body image. Ira’s purpose is to create more body positivity and help people to feel better about themselves.

Nieke Cleven

Pieter-Jan Pieters

Founder @ OWOW

As a designer and creative entrepreneur, Pieter-Jan Pieters combines technology and design in a smart but rather unusual way. He takes his business extremely serious, but rather does not run his business too seriously. Together with a team of wizkids, Pieters did various projects within the fields of advertisement, branding, product design, art installations (that got confiscated by the police). All while developing his prestige project called MIDIS*; a new breed of musical instruments that will be released by OWOW** (the Omnipresent World Of Wizkids). * Link: OWOW Kickstarter Page ** Link: www.OWOW.io OWOW was founded in 2012 by Pieters and as the name describes it is all about being as free an untamed as a child in a mature and grown up world. Just like all his projects and products are.

Reinder van Tijen

Founder @ Demotech

Reinder van Tijen took the first steps towards starting his own organization focused around finding creative, imaginative solutions to some very basic social problems. Demotech started her activities in 1970, influenced by the phenomenon of Freetown Christiania. Influenced by writers like Viktor Papaneck, Ivan Ilich, and Mahatma Gandhi, his first work was on deficiencies found in the Netherlands, designing a new public transport system, a home-grown toy factory, and alternative self-sustaining lifestyle options. The ideas met with brick walls, people in the West proved to be very reluctant to change. After two years Demotech abandoned its efforts to make a change in Dutch Society and went searching for a society that would be more accepting of change, and found it in the 3rd world.

Tagwa Badredine Al-Hum

Tagwa al-Hum earned the highest marks on her country’s national exams—but fighting drove her family to a refugee camp with no secondary schooling.

Tom Luyten

Docent creatieve technologie @ MAMDT

Tom Luyten is a digital, interactive and generative artist, teacher at the Maastricht Academy of Media, Design and Technology (MAMDT), founder of the MAMDT makerspace and researcher at the Research Center for Technology in Care. Tom profoundly believes in using technology to make the world more beautiful and poetic, especially in places were you would least expect it.

Veronique Janssen

Veronique Janssen is 21 jaar en komt uit een klein dorp vlakbij Sittard in Nederland. Een heftige gebeurtenis zette haar leven op de kop en zij vertelde hierover tijdens de Pitchwedstrijd van TedxMaastricht i.s.m. Rabobank Westelijke Mijnstreek. Het publiek en de jury was onder de indruk en met haar verhaal won zij een plek tussen de sprekers van de TedxMaastrichtSalon in Sittard.