Theme: HOPE

TEDxExeter: HOPE
8.30am - 5.15pm, Friday 21 April 2017
A day of inspiring talks, connection and action

“Critical thinking without hope is cynicism, but hope without critical thinking is naïveté.” Maria Popova

TEDxExeter is back for a 6th year. We’re bringing another exceptional group of speakers to Exeter to share their work, vision and hope with us.

We’ll gather over 900 people on the day to share inspiration and explore ways of turning hope into action to make a positive difference in our lives, our communities and ultimately our world.

Tickets will be released at 10am on Thursday 1 December at the Exeter Northcott Theatre.

“Optimists think it will all be fine without our involvement; pessimists take the opposite position; both excuse themselves from acting. Hope is an embrace of the unknown and the unknowable, an alternative to the certainty of both optimists and pessimists. It’s the belief that what we do matters even though how and when it may matter, who and what it may impact, are not things you can know beforehand.” Rebecca Solnit

Come and join us – dreamers, thinkers, makers and doers – and be part of something special.

TEDxExeter: HOPE

The Exeter Nothcott Theatre
Exeter Northcott Theatre
Stocker Road
Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QB
United Kingdom

Andrew Solomon

Writer, lecturer and Professor of Clinical Psychology

Andrew Solomon is a writer and lecturer on psychology, politics, and the arts; an activist in LGBT rights and mental health. Andrew’s most recent book, Far and Away was published in 2016. His many previous books include Far From the Tree: Parents, children and the search for identity, which won the National Book Critics Circle nonfiction award, the Wellcome Book Prize and 22 other awards. A renowned TED speaker, his previous talks have been viewed over 13 million times on TED.com. -- At TEDxExeter 2017 our speakers explored ideas of HOPE - not wishing, not optimism, but hope - to challenge us and encourage us to keep moving forward to create a better world. Our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVN0qOZIePqF7VrocE1jgAA8Je8mRpU6B Production Manager Andy Robertson - https://www.youtube.com/user/FamilyGamerTV Video Production First Sight Media - http://firstsightmedia.co.uk/

Christina Lamb

Author and Foreign Correspondent

Christina Lamb is one of Britain’s leading foreign correspondents and a bestselling author. She has won numerous awards including five times being named Foreign Correspondent of the Year and Europe’s top war reporting prize, the Prix Bayeux. She was made an OBE in 2013. Currently Chief Foreign Correspondent for The Sunday Times of London, she has also written 8 books including I am Malala, The Africa House, and Nujeen; One Girl’s Incredible Journey from War-torn Syria in a Wheelchair.-- At TEDxExeter 2017 our speakers explored ideas of HOPE - not wishing, not optimism, but hope - to challenge us and encourage us to keep moving forward to create a better world. Our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVN0qOZIePqF7VrocE1jgAA8Je8mRpU6B Production Manager Andy Robertson - https://www.youtube.com/user/FamilyGamerTV Video Production First Sight Media - http://firstsightmedia.co.uk/

Gill Hayes

Mental Health Activist

A graduate in Linguistics and International Studies, marketing professional, Mum, and yoga-teacher. ‘Living the dream’ didn’t go quite according to plan when Gill became severely depressed. By sharing her story of recovery, Gill wishes to spread hope to other sufferers, challenge some of the beliefs around mental illness and encourage us to all to play a role in the mental health revolution. -- At TEDxExeter 2017 our speakers explored ideas of HOPE - not wishing, not optimism, but hope - to challenge us and encourage us to keep moving forward to create a better world. Our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVN0qOZIePqF7VrocE1jgAA8Je8mRpU6B Production Manager Andy Robertson - https://www.youtube.com/user/FamilyGamerTV Video Production First Sight Media - http://firstsightmedia.co.uk/

Gulalai Ismail

Human Rights Activist

Gulalai was just 16 when she co-founded Aware Girls, in Pakistan, with her sister, Saba. Driven by a passion to challenge a culture of intolerance and extremism, Gulalai and Saba began running workshops in their home town to provide girls and young women with leadership skills to challenge oppression and fight for their rights to an education and equal opportunities. Based in Peshawar, north-west Pakistan, Aware Girls has grown into an internationally renowned organisation that since 2002 has trained, empowered and inspired hundreds of young people in Pakistan. -- At TEDxExeter 2017 our speakers explored ideas of HOPE - not wishing, not optimism, but hope - to challenge us and encourage us to keep moving forward to create a better world. Our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVN0qOZIePqF7VrocE1jgAA8Je8mRpU6B Production Manager Andy Robertson - https://www.youtube.com/user/FamilyGamerTV Video Production First Sight Media - http://firstsightmedia.co.uk/

Howard Johns

Energy Engineer, Entrepreneur, Business Leader & Activist

Howard Johns is a passionate advocate of community energy. Author of The Energy Revolution, he founded and led an award winning solar business and a pioneering community owned energy company. He has campaigned on energy and climate change from treehouses to Parliament. -- At TEDxExeter 2017 our speakers explored ideas of HOPE - not wishing, not optimism, but hope - to challenge us and encourage us to keep moving forward to create a better world. Our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVN0qOZIePqF7VrocE1jgAA8Je8mRpU6B Production Manager Andy Robertson - https://www.youtube.com/user/FamilyGamerTV Video Production First Sight Media - http://firstsightmedia.co.uk/

James Craig

Student

James Craig is a second year A-level student at Exeter College. Having originally aspired to be a doctor, a work experience placement at a firm of solicitors set him on a different path and he now plans to study Law at University. He is thrilled to have been invited to share his ideas at TEDxExeter. -- At TEDxExeter 2017 our speakers explored ideas of HOPE - not wishing, not optimism, but hope - to challenge us and encourage us to keep moving forward to create a better world. Our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVN0qOZIePqF7VrocE1jgAA8Je8mRpU6B Production Manager Andy Robertson - https://www.youtube.com/user/FamilyGamerTV Video Production First Sight Media - http://firstsightmedia.co.uk/

Jo & Toby Gorniak

Dancers

Toby and Jo Gorniak are the co-founders of Street Factory CIC in Plymouth. They teach through the 10 elements of Hip Hop, through genuine love and deep rooted trust that every young person can find their genius. Toby Gorniak is an award-winning hip hop artist, professional dancer, choreographer, educator and speaker. Jo Gorniak is a professional actress and performer. Toby and Jo will be joined on stage by Perry Johnson, Max Revell and Emmanuel Atangana Maze. -- At TEDxExeter 2017 our speakers explored ideas of HOPE - not wishing, not optimism, but hope - to challenge us and encourage us to keep moving forward to create a better world. Our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVN0qOZIePqF7VrocE1jgAA8Je8mRpU6B Production Manager Andy Robertson - https://www.youtube.com/user/FamilyGamerTV Video Production First Sight Media - http://firstsightmedia.co.uk/

Kagemusha Taiko

Performing Arts Company

Devon-based Kagemusha Taiko have toured in Japan as well as playing significant concerts in Europe and the USA, where they represented European taiko at the first World Taiko Concert in Los Angeles. This performance at TEDxExeter heralds a series of concerts to be played over the next few weeks, culminating in a headline performance at the 12th UK Taiko Festival, at the Exeter Northcott Theatre on 1st July. -- At TEDxExeter 2017 our speakers explored ideas of HOPE - not wishing, not optimism, but hope - to challenge us and encourage us to keep moving forward to create a better world. Our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVN0qOZIePqF7VrocE1jgAA8Je8mRpU6B Production Manager Andy Robertson - https://www.youtube.com/user/FamilyGamerTV Video Production First Sight Media - http://firstsightmedia.co.uk/

Kester Brewin

Teacher, author and broadcaster

Kester Brewin teaches mathematics in South East London and is also an author and broadcaster. He has written and presented for BBC Radio 4, and spoke at TEDx Exeter in 2013 on Mutiny – his work on pirate culture. Kester more recently explored the history of the 60s - and its resonances for us 50 years later - in his acclaimed book Getting High, available here: http://amzn.eu/7eFHEMD -- At TEDxExeter 2017 our speakers explored ideas of HOPE - not wishing, not optimism, but hope - to challenge us and encourage us to keep moving forward to create a better world. Our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVN0qOZIePqF7VrocE1jgAA8Je8mRpU6B Production Manager Andy Robertson - https://www.youtube.com/user/FamilyGamerTV Video Production First Sight Media - http://firstsightmedia.co.uk/

Madhumita Murgia

European Technology Correspondent, Financial Times

Madhumita is a journalist, editor and speaker with expertise in the fields of science, health and technology. As the European Technology Correspondent at The Financial Times, she is passionate about how technology and science have disrupted and transformed all aspects of our lives. -- At TEDxExeter 2017 our speakers explored ideas of HOPE - not wishing, not optimism, but hope - to challenge us and encourage us to keep moving forward to create a better world. Our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVN0qOZIePqF7VrocE1jgAA8Je8mRpU6B Production Manager Andy Robertson - https://www.youtube.com/user/FamilyGamerTV Video Production First Sight Media - http://firstsightmedia.co.uk/

Matt Harvey

Writer, poet, enemy of all that’s difficult and upsetting

Award-winning poet and lyricist Matt Harvey was first official Poet-in-Residence at the Wimbledon Championships (“brilliant”, the New Yorker) and has been commissioned by – among others – the Science Museum, the Open University and the Energy Ombudsman. He has been a familiar voice on Radio 4 since 2001 when he co-wrote and co-starred in One Night Stanza. -- At TEDxExeter 2017 our speakers explored ideas of HOPE - not wishing, not optimism, but hope - to challenge us and encourage us to keep moving forward to create a better world. Our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVN0qOZIePqF7VrocE1jgAA8Je8mRpU6B Production Manager Andy Robertson - https://www.youtube.com/user/FamilyGamerTV Video Production First Sight Media - http://firstsightmedia.co.uk/

Nujeen Mustafa

Refugee from Aleppo, Syria

Nujeen Mustafa is a young refugee from Aleppo, Syria. She has cerebral palsy and cannot walk but this did not stop her braving inconceivable odds to travel in her wheelchair from Syria in search of a new life. “She is our hero. Everyone must read her story. She will inspire you.” Malala Yousafzai. Her story is told in Christina Lamb’s best selling book Nujeen; One Girl’s Incredible Journey from War-torn Syria in a Wheelchair. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nujeen-Girl-Aleppo-Mustafa/dp/0008192812

Rob Wilson

Chief Toaster & Social Entrepreneur

Rob is an award winning social entrepreneur and Chief Toaster at Toast Ale. He believes that if you want to change the world, you have to throw a better party than those destroying it. Prior to Toast, Rob led Ashoka in the UK, supporting a global network of social entrepreneurs. He founded READ International which has provided over 1.5 million books to Tanzanian children and created 100 school libraries. He co-founded Generation Change, a partnership of leading UK youth social action organisations, and Undivided, a non- partisan campaign lobbying for the best possible Brexit deal for young people. -- At TEDxExeter 2017 our speakers explored ideas of HOPE - not wishing, not optimism, but hope - to challenge us and encourage us to keep moving forward to create a better world. Our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVN0qOZIePqF7VrocE1jgAA8Je8mRpU6B Production Manager Andy Robertson - https://www.youtube.com/user/FamilyGamerTV Video Production First Sight Media - http://firstsightmedia.co.uk/

Vik Mohan

GP and Medical Director

Dr Vik Mohan is an Exeter based GP, Medical Director at Blue Ventures Conservation and architect of Blue Ventures’ award winning integrated health and conservation programme. He is inspired to ensure that as many people as possible benefit from their whole system approach to conservation and sustainable development. -- At TEDxExeter 2017 our speakers explored ideas of HOPE - not wishing, not optimism, but hope - to challenge us and encourage us to keep moving forward to create a better world. Our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVN0qOZIePqF7VrocE1jgAA8Je8mRpU6B Production Manager Andy Robertson - https://www.youtube.com/user/FamilyGamerTV Video Production First Sight Media - http://firstsightmedia.co.uk/

Virginie Helias

Vice President of Global Sustainability at P&G

With 28 years of experience at Procter & Gamble in Brand Management and Innovation, Virginie is Vice President of Global Sustainability. Her work has seen the company make sustainability a core business strategy, an innovation driver and a catalyst for a more resilient organisation. -- At TEDxExeter 2017 our speakers explored ideas of HOPE - not wishing, not optimism, but hope - to challenge us and encourage us to keep moving forward to create a better world. Our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVN0qOZIePqF7VrocE1jgAA8Je8mRpU6B Production Manager Andy Robertson - https://www.youtube.com/user/FamilyGamerTV Video Production First Sight Media - http://firstsightmedia.co.uk/