We live in times of megatrends that are shaping our future. Through urbanisation, more than half the population of the world now live in cities. Through demographic change, the population of the earth is changing rapidly, both in numbers, geography where we live and in age composition. Through climate change we have new situations with chaotic, unpredictable weather conditions. Through globalisation many markets are now hyper competitive, the number of multinationals have increased tenfold in a couple of decades and the world-wide volume of trade has doubled in less than twenty years.
In such times we need great thinkers, new ideas and innovation more than ever before in the history of mankind. Through information technology this is now possible to bring out. Great ideas are now broadcasted in new ways that through the internet can spread faster than ever before.
TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is a global set of conferences owned by the private non-profit Sapling Foundation, under the slogan "ideas worth spreading". The goal of the foundation is to foster the spread of great ideas. It aims to provide a platform for the world’s smartest thinkers, greatest visionaries and most-inspiring teachers, so that millions of people can gain a better understanding of the biggest issues faced by the world, and a desire to help create a better future
TED was founded in 1984 as a one-off event. The annual conference began in 1990, in Monterey, California. TED’s early emphasis was technology and design, consistent with its origins in the Silicon Valley. Since June 2006, the talks have been offered for free viewing online through YouTube and TED.com. As of April 2014, over 1,700 talks are available online and they have been watched more than one billion times worldwide. Today, the average TED video gets forty thousand views within twenty-four hours. What a fantastic success.
TEDx are independent TED-like events, which can be organized by anyone who obtains a free license from TED, agreeing to follow certain principles, such as non-profit purpose. This spring, a new TEDx conference is born at a location that is close to our work. The TEDxIUM will be held on June 6, 2014 in Monaco, co-sponsored with the International University of Monaco (IUM).
The theme will be "SMALL is the new big", which is appropriate, being hosted in one of the smallest nations on earth. Despite being the second smallest country in the world with an area of 2.8 square kilometres, Monaco is home to many successes: 50+ years of coral and marine research (Centre Scientific de Monaco), record breaking electric engines (Venturi), under water living (SeaOrbiter) are only some of the examples of how, though small in size, Monaco has accomplished many global achievements.
No idea is too small to have an impact in the world. The key is to start, think big, and the impact will follow.
TEDxIUM is an independently organised event licensed by TED featuring a day of "Ideas Worth Spreading".