TEDxChange – How Will You Change the World?

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to attend  TEDx Change, a special TED* event locally sponsored by the Nashville TEDx committee and Healthways. The event was part of an international effort to gather leading “thinkers and doers” to talk about how to change the world, specifically around the topic of Well Being. If you ever needed to be inspired by smart people doing great things, then this was the event for you.

The catalyst for the Nashville event was an event held earlier this week by Melinda Gates of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. On September 20th, in New York City, Gates worked with the international TED organization to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Millennium Development Goals, eight measurable goals the United Nations has set forth for the countries of the world to meet. Locations across the globe could simulcast with the New York meeting or do what Nashville’s group did – hold a meeting a few days later and watch a recording of the meeting. (The 90 minute presentation is really worth watching. At a minimum, check out the first presentation by the very entertaining Hans Rosling.)

At Nashville’s TEDx Change event, organizers supplemented the New York speakers with a range of both national and local presenters. Topics ranged from how social networks can help us determine how to influence the decisions of others to the importance of giving new items (instead of used items) to poor children as a way to build their self worth to creative ways that a one person can make a difference to thousands. The list of presenters was impressive and included:

• Dr. Nicholas Christakis, Harvard professor and an expert on how social networks actually work and how we can use social networks to influence the behaviors of those with whom we are connected.
• Dr. Jeannette Ickovics, a Yale University researcher and professor who offers actionable solutions to help those who fall through the cracks of our health care system.
• Janice Weinman, President of KIDS (Kids in Distressed Situations), who works to help poor children in the United States.
• Brian Williams, executive director of Hands on Nashville who asked the group to rekindle their passion for giving back.
• Ben Legman, a Healthways digital media leader and Nashville coffee shop owner (CREMA) who raised money for healthcare workers in Africa by riding his motorcycle around the United States.
• Trapper Markelz from Healthways, a professional gamer who is looking at how you can link the addictive fun of gaming to the needs for better consumer engagement in their own healthcare. He just launched MeYouHealth, a new website that tries to blend gaming and health.
• Klint Peebles, a medical student who is the director of social work at the Shade Tree Clinic, a free clinic in East Nashville run by medical students.
• Radney Foster, a talented musician and songwriter who made sure there was a Nashville music-based ending to the event.

The event was meant to inspire and enlighten. The event succeeded on both levels.

Need to find your own inspiration? The annual TEDx Nashville event is scheduled for April 9th, 2011 at TPAC’s Polk Theater (Parthenon is a sponsor!). The topic is “A Sense of Wonder” and will feature a wide range of impressive speakers. Mark your calendars now – this is an event not to be missed!

*Not familiar with TED? TED is a nonprofit “devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading.” TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design and the international organization hosts an annual TED Conference in California, a TEDGlobal conference in Oxford UK, award-winning TEDTalks on their website, local TEDx community programs and the annual TED Prize. You can check them out at www.ted.com.