STUDENTS at the University of Warwick are gearing up to host an internationally-renowned conference this weekend.
TEDxWarwick – a university-run version of the hit TED talks – will boast speakers from around the world on the Coventry-based campus all with the intention of presenting ‘ideas worth sharing’.
This year’s theme, Anthropocene, will see 17 speakers discuss a huge variety of subjects based around the central idea of humanity, the problems it is facing, and where we are heading.
From climate change, ebola and poverty, to over population and the aging population, the student team behind the conference hope the breadth of topics up for discussion will attract a diverse audience.
Liam Steadman, one of the Coordinators of TEDxWarwick 2015, explained that the conference had been a collaborative effort – with the 30-strong team’s 7am to 1am days were playing off and that he was confident it will be a success.
“The team are really strong together – there’s a real sense of community within the team and pride in wanting to make TEDxWarwick the best that it can be.
“You hear about a lot of students simply ‘ticking boxes’ for their CV’s, but that’s not a case with our executive team.
“We are all incredibly passionate about what we are doing here and want to make it the best that it can be.”
TED Conferences were first established in 1984 in America under the slogan ‘ideas worth spreading’.
Having previously hosted speakers including Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Bill Gates and numerous Nobel Prize winners, the conferences seek to inspire people and discussion through the presentation of new ideas and technologies.
But, with a hefty price tag to attend the annual TED conference, TEDx was born – encouraging institutes around the world to host their own TED talks.
Elspeth lawson, 4th year History and French student and Director of External Relations for the conference, promised the event is not one to be missed and would appeal to a huge range of people.
“Go online and watch some TED talks, you will feel inspired and then imagine having that experience live.
“There’s a big difference feeling inspired on your own to surrounded by a huge number of people, and that is what we are hoping will happen with this event.”
TEDxWarwick runs from 10am until 6pm on Saturday, February 28 in the Warwick Arts Centre with £16.50 tickets available online at www.tedxwarwick.com/2015
