TEDxStKilda 2017 - "Fake and Fate"

Announcement posted by TEDxStKilda 11 Sep 2017

11 October 2017 from 7pm at Memo Music Hall

After our first two sold-out events, we are now approaching our third and it is our best program yet! We have an outstanding line-up of speakers this year and some ideas that we can’t wait to share.

TEDxStKilda 2017 is a public event and will offer cool ideas, big insights and dynamic thinking. Academics, experts, leaders and creators are all a part of our big night in the heart of St Kilda.

What we love about TEDxStKilda is that it’s a chance to share with our local community. While we can share almost anything with the click of button, there’s something raw and fascinating about sharing in real life, watching ideas come alive, seeing reactions, and exchanging thoughts. Take it a step further and be a part of the TEDx community. Tickets available at www.tedxstkilda.com.

Follow TEDxStKilda on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tedxstkilda/ or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tedxstkilda

OUR THEME - FAKE AND FATE

We're living in a new age of information, learning and communication. Never before have we had so much of the world at our fingertips. Never before have we had so much information available. And never before have we had so much involvement in the content we consume. But for all our truth and all our knowledge, we haven't yet extinguished the concept of fate from our narrative.

Our reality is a double-edged sword. There’s so much truth out there for us to consume. This world gives us the opportunity to see things that have been in darkness and hear stories which otherwise would’ve been silenced. New concepts, views, and discoveries shape our actions. But perhaps we’re somewhat naïve – do we really think we’re in control of our lives? And how can we make a difference in the world?

But the other edge of the blade is just as keen: whose stories are we seeing? What defines truth? Confirmation bias is a daily occurrence and our worth is measured in clicks, likes and hashtags. Failure is no longer behind closed doors. Are we pursuing perfection because our lives are on display? How do we maintain a genuine connection to ourselves and others in a digital world?

OUR SPEAKERS (SO FAR)

We’re in the process of releasing our speakers in the lead up to our event, but we’re excited to present six who have already been announced:

Mental health, music and magic

Music is such an interesting concept, and perhaps one that is overlooked and oversimplified in terms of the role it plays in our lives. What’s the true power of music? How much can it affect our mood and lifestyle?

Professor Katrina McFerran is the Head of Music Therapy at the University of Melbourne. Along with her team of researchers and teachers, she’s investigating how people can use music to promote wellbeing, especially in relation to youth mental health. An expert in her field, she’s been a music therapist for 20 years and has published three books.

Footy, community and St Kilda

Footy is a deeply ingrained part of the Melbourne lifestyle. However, while footy has long embraced fathers and sons, it has been less accepting of others. How can we change this culture to be more inclusive?

The CEO of our local AFL team the St Kilda Football Club, Matt Finnis is trying to make an impact. Matt was previously the CEO of the AFL Players’ Association and a corporate lawyer. He believes footy has the ability to create powerful change and can instil a sense of belonging amongst people and communities previously marginalised from sport.

Empowering women in business

Women have made enormous strides towards equality over the last 100 years, but issues of inequality still exist. In some cases, women are holding themselves back. So how can women empower themselves in business and in life?

Sonya Stattman has been a Success Strategist and advocate for women in business for more than 17 years. Her life’s work centres on helping women to achieve their greatness. She’s studied, explored and educated others on the topics of women’s empowerment, gender equality in business and the best paths for women to reach their potential.

Community engagement in the age of disengagement

Community engagement is central to a successful democracy. So why is it we feel so often as though we’re crying out but not being heard? So how do we make community engagement more than ticking a box?

Max Hardy knows what he’s talking about. One of Australia’s foremost experts in deliberative processes, he’s renowned internationally for his skilful design and facilitation of community engagement processes. When done right, he sees it as a way of improving decisions, testing ideas, and building community.

Superbugs vs super science

Superbugs are an increasing concern, especially in hospitals where patients are already vulnerable. Antibiotics have protected us for the past 100 years, but bacteria are fighting back. How can we fight this ever-changing threat?

Claire Gorrie is in the final stages of a PhD at the University of Melbourne, and has long been fascinated by the smaller living organisms on our planet; bacteria. Her current work focuses on tracking the transmission and evolution of certain antibiotic-resistant bacteria to better understand how they work and survive.

Representing our multicultural society

All you need to do is look around a train, tram or bus in Melbourne to see that we have a culturally diverse community. So why is this not represented in our media, marketing and schools? How will this affect our next generation?

Naomi Kissiedu Green is a first generation British-African model and entrepreneur who married an Australian Navy Officer, and together they have 3 beautiful children. Her family’s interactions within communities led Naomi to write The Colourful Life Series, a book series about multiracial families.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Soolin Ong-Tan
Creative Director
E: team@tedxstkilda.com

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

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, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. 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.)

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 30 years ago, TED has grown to support its mission with multiple initiatives. The two annual TED Conferences invite the world's leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less. Many of these talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sal Khan and Daniel Kahneman.

The annual TED Conference takes place each spring in Vancouver, British Columbia. TED's media initiatives include TED.com, where new TED Talks are posted daily; the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as translations from volunteers worldwide; the educational initiative TED-Ed. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world get help translating their wishes into action; TEDx, which supports individuals or groups in hosting local, self- organized TED-style events around the world, and the TED Fellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

Follow TED on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TEDTalks, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TED.