Theme: The State of Mind

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).

Royal Tropical Institute
Mauritskade 63
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, 1092 AD
Netherlands

Ambrien Rukhsar Moeniralam

Feminist

My perspective is worth spreading because I am raising awareness about (street) harassment, an issue that is still not seen as an issue.

Belinda Otas

Journalist

As a journalist, Belinda has a keen interest in gender, social development, arts and culture, health, education, innovation and technology, and the African diaspora. As a freelance journalist, she has contributed to Al Jazeera, CNN, BBC News Online, The Africa Report, M&G Africa, New African and Wings magazines, amongst many others. Belinda was a news and social commentator on Monocle Radio’s The Globalist program between 2012 and 2015. She has also appeared on the BBC World Service Newsday program and was the deputy editor of the New African Woman. Belinda started living on dialysis at the age of 16 and has had two kidney transplants, between 2002 and 2017. Unfortunately, her second transplant failed, and she found herself back on dialysis in January 2018. It was an experience that highlighted the urgent need for more people from the global African diaspora to engage with the issue of organ donation. To this end, she uses her voice and platform as a journalist to create awareness.

Clarice Gargard

Journalist, columnist and UN Women’s representative

As a journalist, columnist and UN Women’s representative, Clarice criticizes power structures, addresses social injustice and shows society from a different perspective. To understand more about her Liberian family history, she made a documentary (alongside director Shamira Raphaela) about her father and his work for the government and dictator Charles Taylor. ‘Daddy & the Warlord’ was released in March 2019 and won a Gouden Kalf for best short documentary. Delving deeper into the story of morals, conflict, spirituality, and migration, Clarice wrote the book ‘Drakendochter’ (Dragon’s Daughter).

David Laport

Fashion designer

David is a fashion designer, focused on creating experimental high-end women's wear.

Edna Adan Ismail

Former Minister of Somaliland, UN and WHO ambassador

In 2002 Edna Adan Ismail became the first-ever female cabinet minister in Somaliland. She’s been the Minister of Foreign affairs and Social development of Somaliland and worked for the UN and WHO. Though first and foremost, she states herself, Edna is a midwife. She has devoted her whole life to improve maternal healthcare in Somaliland and to abolish female genital mutilation (FGM). Somalia has the highest rate of FGM in the world, with the procedure carried out on up to 98 percent of women. In 2002 Edna opened the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital in Hargeisa.

Gina Doekhie

Digital detective and court expert

As a digital detective and Court expert, Gina is a digital crime-fighter who works on digital forensics, like fraud cases, hacking and phishing. She also lectures on and helps the court with interpreting digital evidence. Her knowledge of artificial intelligence algorithms and forensic science helps her to uncover digital criminals. As a cyber-detective, Gina is an expert on online safety and protecting oneself against cybercrime.

Hanneke Wigman

Assistant Professor

Hanneke is an Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen, where she focuses on the early development of psychopathology – specifically psychosis – in young people. As a project leader of a Mapping Individual Routes of Risk and Resilience study Hanneke hopes to contribute to the existing knowledge on psychosis and the mechanisms behind the concept.

Houda El Khanoussi

Spoken Word artist

We need to look past a diagnosis such as Down Syndrome to see others for who they are first and foremost, human.

Märtha Louise

Author and entrepreneur

Märtha Louise is the eldest child and only daughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja. At birth, she was not in line for the throne, because according to law only males could inherit the Norwegian throne. The constitution was changed in 1990, but only affects those born in that year or later. Märtha currently has more freedom from her constitutional role, because of her own commercial entertainment business.

Naomi Sharon

Singer

Naomi is an independent musician, with experience in musical theatre as well as song-writing. Her songs are emotional, warm and empowering, as she sings about topics like self-acceptance and self-love.

Niki Korteweg

Journalist and doctor in neurobiology

As a science journalist at NRC Handelsblad with a PhD in neurobiology, Niki is very knowledgeable about brain research, medical science, and psychology. She is a versatile journalist: she writes features, interviews, news articles, and books, gives lectures and teaches about science writing. After experiencing burnout in 2010, Niki published the book ‘Een beter brein’ (A better brain) in 2017. In this book, she discusses the fast-moving developments in neuroscience and all the ways in which we can use those insights to take good care of our brains.

Raquel van Haver

Visual artist

Through her work as a visual artist, Raquel aims to tell stories. She highlights similarities between different groups of people, with an emphasis on marginalized societal groups. Raquel’s art finds its origin in her travels, where she takes pictures and makes sketches of local communities. By compiling images from different communities, she is able to create a narrative about personal and shared experiences.

Sanne Kanis

Independent tech & media business advisor

Sanne is an independent start-up advisor, who has previously worked at Google, Spotify, and Booking.com. Earlier this year she has written a novel, ‘De Bubbel’ (The Bubble), about her experiences at these big firms, through which she aims to show the importance of ethical decision-making in the tech-world. Sanne recognizes that there is a disbalance in the field, whilst consumers are increasingly demanding solid values and transparency.

Tara Salahsor

Dancer

Tara Salahshor is a dancer, who will perform a hip-hop lyrical dance.

Zaire Krieger

Spoken Word Artist

Zaïre is a passionate spoken word artist, concerned with societal issues such as racism, feminism, and the LGBTQ+ community.