TEDxEdges

Carta de André Marquet para 2012

2012-02-04T18:09:00.005Z

Foto: Alicia Sully

No outro dia dei por mim a ver a definição mais ou menos antropológica da palavra amizade na wikipédia, pensei que teria imensas entradas sobre primatologia, e fiquei surpreendido que apesar de de todo o hype do facebook, de "amigar" este e aquele, e de "desamigar" aquele outro, a palavra amizade tivesse uma entrada enciclopédica tão pequena. A definição de Dicionário é esta, a palavra amizade vem do latim vulgar de amicitas, e refere-se a 1. Afeição recíproca entre dois entes., 2. Boas relações.

É talvez na substancia da definição 1. e na manutenção da 2. que gostava de partilhar convosco alguns pensamentos em relação ao ano que está a passar, afinal de contas, foi o meu 30º ano de vida neste planeta - um ano que trouxe algumas novidades tanto do ponto de vida pessoal como profissional, e até dos muitos eventos deste mundo em mudança que pudemos presenciar.

Recorri por isso à funcionalidade da "Timeline" do Facebook, para recordar alguns momentos que para mim tiveram mais relevância este ano:

O Balanço do Ano de 2011

· Em Janeiro 2011, fui ao falar ao Ignite (link) dos “10 mitos do TGV”, numa altura em que o país estava na eminência do pedido de ajuda à troika mas se preparava ainda para avançar em alta velocidade para essa obra, entretanto refreada mas, ao que parece, ainda não totalmente esquecida – um tópico para irmos acompanhando ao longo deste próximo ano.

· Em Abril, fui à conferência Switch, no Porto, falar da revolução na Tunisia, que levou à queda da tirania de Ben Ali, e ao surgimento da chamada “Primavera Arabe”, outra questão longe de terminada, agora que muitos governos pró-islamitas começam a tomar forma nos países do Magreb, com consequência ainda totalmente não previstas para aquela região.

· Em Julho estive de férias na Europa de Leste, e fiquei sobretudo impressionado com a Hungria que desde 2004 anda a seguir a receita do FMI e onde aproveitei para comentar no blog Cousas Liberaes (link), e em Agosto estive no Tavira, Algarve - uma das jóias da nossa coroa por enquanto preservada do FMI (e olhem que aos Gregos já lhes propuseram venderem as ilhas...)

· Foi também um ano em que conheci várias das pessoas envolvidas no projecto do TEDxEdges 2011, uma equipa fantástica que pôs de pé a terceira edição do TEDx em 1 de Outubro de 2011, hoje a progredir nas suas carreiras e a desenvolverem novos desafios - a todos desejo que em 2012 voltemos a cooperar.

· E no final do mês de Outubro, com um Outono muito solarengo, depois de uma experiência na Huawei, empresa chinesa que já é um dos líderes mundiais no sector da telecomunicações, decidi abraçar outros projectos com os quais me identificava mais e contribuir ainda mais activamente na Beta-i.

Curiosamente, talvez um dos aspectos mais importantes desta crise tem sido revelado pela maior proximidade entre as pessoas, nunca como este ano recebi tantos e-postais de Natal, nem senti uma aproximação tão genuína - talvez um re-centramento no que é verdadeiramente importante depois da ilusão dos últimos anos.... quem sabe.

O Ano de 2012.

Penso que dificilmente se pode considerar 2012, como o Stunde Null português mas, o futuro é sempre indeterminável. Se há coisa que a história nos ensina é que os acontecimentos são imprevisíveis... bastará recoradarmo-nos como começou este século. No entanto não queria deixar-vos sem terminar com algumas notas optimistas, até porque em 2012, a Beta-i está a preparar uma série de projectos com vista a promover ainda com mais dinamismo, o tão necessário empreendedorismo qualificado, através da ajuda à criação de start-ups, e da organização de eventos de classe mundial, a começar já nos dias 20, 21, e 22 de Janeiro pelo Sandbox Global Summit 2012 co-organizado em parceria com a Beta-i que conduziu a candidatura vencedora da cidade de Lisboa à organização deste evento e que reuniu na nossa cidade cerca de 200 jovens de todo o mundo - e onde há juventude, há pelo menos muita animação como se pode testemunhar em inúmeros blog posts !

Fica aqui uma recordação do TEDxEdges deste ano para nos inspirar para 2012, a brilhante talk do General Luis Valença Pinto, sem dúvida uma cabeça jovem!... e outra com a energia contagiante do Miguel Gonçalves no TEDxYouth de Braga.

Um forte abraço a todos,

André Marquet

Co-Fundador da Beta-i

Dezembro, 2011

Bye bye TEDxEdges 2011

2011-10-01T20:28:00.001+01:00

We had a day wonderful day, full of ideas! TEDxEdges was a successful event where business men and women, entrepreneurs and young people had come together to generate a real TEDx environment. On the other hand, every speaker inspired us with out-of-the-box solutions, ideas and simple talks about regular day events. Thank you all for being here at Fundação Champalimaud, this super futuristic venue, near to Tagus River in Lisbon.

All the best,

TEDxEdges Team

It's official, TEDxEdges is going on!

2011-10-01T10:04:00.000+01:00

09:15 sharp, Drª Leonor Beleza opened TEDxEdges 2011. After this introduction about Fundação Champalimad and its fantastic mission, André Marquet, our Curator, gave all people the welcome inspiring message.

Thanks to all being here with us, from home or at the venue. We hope you all have a great day!

Charanga will be one of the TEDxEdges musical moments!

2011-09-30T23:18:00.000+01:00

Charanga is Francisco Gedeão, Alberto Baltazar and Quim Ezequiel. They met at the 14th Freixo-de-Espada-à-Cinta’s Folk Band Festival. Alberto had got His hands on an amazing music making machine and thought Francisco was the right one to share it with. While they were trying it out, Quim was passing by with his bagpipes. Uncontrollably drawn by the music making machine’s sounds, he ended up in an underground room, away from criticism, with two strangers triping over the creative process. They’ve been playing together ever since, spreading their gospel of trans-timming prophecies.

Getting all people connected with TEDxEdges, from home and in the venue!

2011-09-30T19:30:00.002+01:00

TEDx from home...

Sold out?! We're happy to say.... because you fans are all special, FCCN and TEDxEdges will be providing live streaming from Fundação Champalimaud. Access our TEDxEdges Facebook page and get into the Edge experience! But we really want you to interact WITH and IN the Event! So how about we give you the opportunity to walking around on the venue, talking to people on the coffee breaks, etc., directly from your place?! Feel free to do a Skype call to one of our Magabots, some kind robots made by our friends from Artica! You will be able to control them from your PC and meet everyone you like! Have a try! Call the skype-user "artica.cc"!

...and TEDx in the venue!

If you are one of the lucky guys with a ticket for TEDxEdges 2011, how about telling your friends, live, on Saturday what you're experiencing at the venue? :)

We'll have WIFI access on all the venue and encourage you to be an awesome TEDxEdges reporter (Wifi: 'FC_Guest' / User: 'tedxedges' / Password: 'lisbon')!

Tweetts here, photos there, creative pick-up lines by messenger-pigeon.... everything is valid!!

See you all TOMORROW! Live with us this experience!

We present... FCCN, one of TEDxEdges technology partners!

2011-09-30T16:35:00.002+01:00

FCCN is a private non-profit institution, that began operations in January 1987. Since then, with the support of universities and several national R&D institutions, we have contributed to the internet’s expansion in Portugal. We plan, manage and operate the national NREN, Science, Technology and Society Network (RCTS) – a high-performance network for organizations with higher communication needs. Given its characteristics, RCTS serves as a platform for developing and testing advanced communication applications and services.

We also manage the ‘.pt’ domain registration service, provide services to our community (professors, students, researchers and university staff) and are involved in several national and international projects.

We will give support to the TEDxEdges event with a lecture recording platform named Educast@fccn and a webcast in the following link: http://wms.fccn.pt/tedxedges

TEDxEdges is ecologically powered by Nissan!

2011-09-30T13:35:00.003+01:00

During coffee breaks, lunch and after the closing session, all the people interested are invited to try the new sensation of driving the innovative Nissan LEAF, 100% electric car, winner of the European and World Car of the Year 2011.

Nissan LEAF is powered by laminated compact lithium-ion batteries, which generate power for a 175 km driving range on full charge. The 280 Nm electric motor torque ensures a highly responsive, fun-to-drive experience.

Unlike “traditional” cars, Nissan LEAF´s power train has no tail pipe, and thus no emission of C02 or other greenhouse gases.

At TEDxEdges, Nissan will provide you the opportunity to learn about the car, its technology, its features and to actually take it for an electrifying test-drive.

Cestos da Aldeia at TEDxEdges: to encourage creativity nothing better than fruit!

2011-09-30T00:05:00.003+01:00

TEDxEdges cares about your health in more than one way. On this year's edition, Cestos da Aldeia brings to us the flavours, scents and colours of the rural world in a basket, full of the best Portuguese fruit.This is a project that aims to please the consumer and all the people involved, as well as the environment, promoting at the same time the local economies in a sustainable manner. Now you can get your fruit directly at your home or your office. All you have to do is choose and place an order, by e-mail or phone. Just go to www.cestosdaaldeia.pt and eat your fruit!

TEDxEdges & EXD'11 AFTER-PARTY!!

2011-09-29T20:58:00.004+01:00

Stir with creative ideas and the minds from people, living or visiting Lisbon, is one of the main reasons for the return of the "Experimenta Design" (EXD) - Lisbon International Biennale, dedicated to design.

Similar to EXD, TEDxEdges' main goals also includes inspiration as a symbolic reflection on assorted topics. The design is just one of them.

'Useless' is the topic for the 6th Edition of the Biennial and our TEDxEdges' after-party that will take place in partnership with EXD'11.

The program proposes EXD'11 review concepts and prejudices related to the utility and its absence. Thus, it would be outstanding to associate and extend the discussion of ideas and networking, promoted along 2011 TEDxEdges talks!!

This party will be held next Saturday night (October, 1st), in Baixa-Chiado, on the Old Court of Good Time ("Antigo Tribunal da Boa Hora"), and will start at 22:30pm.

TEDx’ters: we are waiting for you! Come party with us till 4:00am!!

Peter Stilwell will be a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-09-29T07:30:00.003+01:00

Father Peter Damian Francis Stilwell holds a doctor degree in theology from Gregorian University in Rome and is patriarch of Lisbon since 1973.

He is currently vice rector of Universidade Católica where he lectures in theology focusing in areas such as revelation, tradition, aesthetics, history and Christology.

Member of the Center for Philosophy of UCP, under which he takes part of the research project on Phenomenology and Philosophy of Religion. He is also responsible for the Department of Ecumenical Relations and Inter-religious Dialogue, in the Patriarch of Lisbon since October 2001.

"Saúde com Arte" (SAMP) will be one of the TEDxEdges musical moments!

2011-09-28T21:39:00.000+01:00

Saúde com Arte - SAMP (Sociedade Artística Musical dos Pousos)

A philharmonic band, a music school. Berço das Artes, Novas Primaveras and Opera na Prisão were born. Pousos is a small village near Leiria, right in the center of Portugal. We went from premature babies to chronic and acute mental patients. Daniel likes to sing Happy Birthday everyday. He always turns 16. Voluntaries and professionals team up two by two, also doing theatre and a little bit of dance. “Hellos” are sung and instruments are played. Allegro Pediátrico invites clinicians and service directors to other diagnostics, the diagnostics of art. In the end we sing the goodbyes.

Codex: The true story of the thorus behind TEDxEdges 2011 design...

2011-09-27T01:53:00.001+01:00

In Codex, we believe that the world is an inexhaustible source of creativity. Challenging the imagination, we believe in creating emotions that trigger new ideas and concepts, making us act.

The way we challenge the imagination, allows us to create user centered products and services and their experience, directing our attention to the Design and its different possibilities to change consumption habits and interaction with the world. We use Design Thinking, Graphic Design, Digital and Interactive, as tools to improve our customers' business processes.

For this project we have been inspired for the philosophy of Arthur M. Young and his idea about the torus as a self.referencial "time-structure". Young's principal "thesis is: we inhabit a Universe, and this implies one universal set of principles or of truth. To discover these principles or truth, we must enlist both religious and scientific inquiry, and, recognizing the variety of expressions of both, be prepared to seek out the unity in its true implication and significance."

For TEDxEdges Lisbon 2011 special project, we are honored and fortunate to join the team the Graphic Designer António Silva, who allows us to create an emotional communication, connecting the axes of all the subjects, creating dynamic scenarios, full of knowledge.

Since sound is a major component of our intervention in this event, we are honored to collaborate with the Sound Designer Emanuel Serôdio, with many years of professional experience, which managed to convey the strength and dynamics of the visual scenarios created.

Luis Marçal is a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-09-26T19:50:00.001+01:00

Luís Marçal born in 1976, has a degree in Electrotechnical and Computer Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico de Lisboa. In 2007, he assumed responsibilities in the business development of the Smart Grids and Energy Automation. His expertise has contributed to the development of innovative solutions on smart grid technologies enhancing efficiency in expanding intelligent power grids “Smart Grids”.

Camilo Lourenço will be one of the TEDxEdges hosts!

2011-09-25T21:47:00.001+01:00

Camilo Lourenço is a journalist, and university lecturer. He graduated in Law from the Law School of Lisbon and also studied at Catholic University of Lisbon, Columbia University and University of Michigan, USA, where he studied Economics and Financial Journalism. He was a founder of the Diário Economico. He is currently a commentator for RTP to economic issues. He is also author and presenter of programs moneybox (analysis of economic affairs), "The Color of Money" (savings investment) and radio host at M80.

"A Lição de Naila" - article on Expresso/ Unica newspaper about TEDxEdges speaker Naila von Mendelssohn

2011-09-25T15:57:00.001+01:00

The Independente Hostel & Suites... Where TEDxEdges travellers come together!

2011-09-25T10:10:00.001+01:00

If you're coming to Lisbon and you're on a budget, here's the place to stay! Situated in the heart of the portuguese capital, The Independente offers modern and comfortable accommodations in a beautifully restored palace between Bairro Alto and Príncipe Real. In the true TEDx spirit, The Independente promotes a cool and relaxed environment for you to experience Lisbon in a less orthodox way. The sharing of ideas, stories and emotions happens between tourists and locals alike, be it in its open-for-all restaurant, The Decadente, in the more secluded beer garden, or in the lounge of any of the 13 dorms available, with a concern for the environment and all things sustainable throughout. Take a peak at their site and facebook page. Book immediately!

Marina do Vale is a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-09-23T10:05:00.001+01:00

Marina do Vale is a medical doctor and for more than a decade embraces Prenatal Medicine (Fetal Medicine). She was a researcher at King’s College Hospital in London. She holds a post graduation degree in Bioethics and since 2008 teaches “Human Embryology, Development and Evolution” at University of Évora.

Marina is a certified "Fetal Medicine Foundation" ultrasonographer.

In 2003 she founded the Fetus Vitae Fetal Medicine Centre.

With several medical articles published in 2010, she wrote the essay “Da Imagem à Ciência e à Ética em Medicina Fetal” published in the book "As Imagens com que a Ciência se faz" by the Center of Philosophy of Science at Lisbon University.

Everything she does is anchored in a strong belief that nowadays, with ultrasound technology, the actual birth takes place in utero.

"Pôr as Mãos na Música – Fértil Associação Cultural" will be one of TEDxEdges musical moments!

2011-09-22T07:30:00.001+01:00

Music lives inside of us. It is virtually impossible for a person to spend a day without music. However, few devote themselves to learning how to use this medium of communication. "Pôr as Mãos na Música" demonstrates the potential that exists within us all and not allways used. Some people do not even know of its existence. Music is rhythm, life and joy. Playing music it's putting all of this in pratice. Activity by Rui Alves Leitão and Neusa Fangueiro.

Fértil Associação Cultural was created by a group of artists and social cientists and works with Art, Culture and Education. Those are the basis of the development of any human being whatever his ethnicity, culture or location. Through the belief in every person it aims to develop its work in a symbiotic way sharing knowledge and learning.

We present... Pedro, our check-in manager!

2011-09-21T13:59:00.000+01:00

Pedro Queirós loves all kinds of competitive challenges and enterpreneurship events, he's a couchsurfer and rock climber, having his confort zone very close to the Edge!

He is a Senior Consultant for an IT company in Lisbon, with a degree in Systems Engineering and Information Technology and joined the TEDxEdges team to help with the newsletter, website, blog and ticketing and registration process. He will be responsible for the warm welcome you will have at our venue, coordinating the welcome team during the event.

We present...Sustain This, our sustainability partner!

2011-09-21T07:30:00.003+01:00

Rita Ramos (environmental consultant) and Miguel Guedes Ramos (graphic designer) are the founders of Sustain This. They are currently working as sustainability partners at TEDxEdges, assisting our organization in identifying and implementing the most suitable eco-solutions.

Follow them at: http://sustainthis.tumblr.com/

Sustain This = Partner in Events Sustainability!

We present... Filomena, our Party Hostess!

2011-09-19T21:14:00.000+01:00

Filomena Borges holds a degree in Communication Sciences from the University of Beira Interior and is currently attending Masters in Journalism at the School of Social Communication. Along the way, she made several Digital Workshop's Oral Communication Skills and Techniques Workshop Journalistic - TV at CENJOR. She loves radio and often cooperates with the Antena 1 by sending reports. In addition to radio plays, Filomena does voiceover work and is touted by the company Addvoices in Portugal.

Check out some of my works here: http://soundcloud.com/filomena-borges

Now Filomena is working with the press and will be our post-event Party Hostess!

Why do we asked the tags on the register form?

2011-09-19T00:05:00.005+01:00

Ricardo Cabral is a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-09-18T02:21:00.000+01:00

Born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1979. Started working as a freelance ilustrator after graduating in Painting from the Faculty of Fine Arts University of Lisbon in 2005. In 2007 published the comic book "Evereste", and in 2009 published "Israel Sketchbook" after visiting that country. In 2010 published "Newborn-10 days in Kosovo" and is currently working on another comic book...

In 2011 Moleskine users from all over the world choose one of his ilustrations to be on the cover of one of their sketchbooks!

TEDxEdges 2011: We're Sold Out!

2011-09-17T21:24:00.002+01:00

Dear TEDxEdges Fans. We are very proud to announce that we have sold all our tickets. All of you that missed the ticket opportunity please stay tuned as we will announce shortly the simulcast details so you can follow TEDxEdges 2011 live video streaming, for free over the Internet.

Friar Fernando Gustavo Ventura is a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-09-15T08:09:00.000+01:00

Capuchin Franciscan graduated in Theology from Portuguese Catholic University and in Biblical Sciences from Pontifical Biblical Institute Rome.

He also collaborates with SIC Channel debating on social, religious and political matters.

Author of the first study of Mary in Islam and “Guidelines for Reading the Bible”, he launched a movement to spread biblical training promoting encounters globally. Interpreter for the Capuchin Order, International Theological Commission at the Vatican, International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order, Biblical World Federation and some NGOs. Permanent Board member of editorial directors of «BÍBLICA» magazine.

We present... Hugo Garcia our future and coffee master!

2011-09-14T05:03:00.000+01:00

Hugo Garcia is graduated in Marketing by IADE and has a post-graduation in Foresight, Strategy and Innovation in ISEG. During University he was self-employed teaching a martial arts for some extra money, and has recently worked for Quotidian Research as an Innovation Consultant. Currently he organizes Foresight Workshops, where participants explore trends and Future Scenarios.

Follow him on linkedin!

We proudly announce that he's one of the Machiatto Masters, the talent coffee team that will be take care of you in the breaks of TEDxEdges!

TEDxEdges 2011 - Curator interviewed by ruadebaixo.com (in Portuguese)

2011-09-14T00:29:00.003+01:00

"Being Spiritual, Sustainable, Social and Super!”. Para nos ajudar a compreender melhor este evento, a RDB esteve à conversa com o curador André Marquet.

O país e o mundo estão em constante mutação. Actualmente, vivemos numa sociedade globalizada, onde o tempo é dinheiro, mas também sinónimo de desespero porque a conjuntura não apresenta um futuro próximo muito favorável. Mas ficar de braços cruzados não é de todo a opção correcta. Para que haja novas formas de pensar e possamos aprender a ver e a viver o tempo de uma outra forma, sempre positiva, André Marquet, curador do evento, decidiu organizar em 2009 o primeiro evento TED em Portugal.

Este tipo de eventos com a chancela TED promove-se à escala global e nomes reconhecidos como é o exemplo de Al Gore ou Bill Gates, entre outros, já estiveram presentes em outras edições e transmitiram as suas visões e pensamentos. Este ano o tema baseia-se em “Being Spiritual, Sustainable, Social and Super!” e para nos ajudar a compreender melhor o que trata este evento, a RDB esteve à conversa com o próprio André Marquet.

Este é o terceiro ano consecutivo em que ocorre o evento TEDxEdges em Portugal e regressam à cidade de Lisboa. Como é que surgiu a ideia de organizar este evento em Portugal?

O TEDxEdges foi o primeiro TEDx em Portugal de forma fortuita! Em 2008, comecei a pensar em organizar uma conferência para discutir os modelos de desenvolvimento tecnológico em Portugal, para ajudar a definir uma estratégia de médio-longo prazo para o país. Na altura, havia o Plano Tecnológico, e sentia que era necessário fazer uma espécie de balanço da sociedade civil do mesmo. Como trabalhava para uma empresa Finlandesa, pensei que o modelo Finlandês e o modelo de desenvolvimento tecnológico Israelita - dois países que partilham com Portugal, a dimensão populacional, e o facto de estarem na periferia “Edge” da Europa - seriam bons casos para fazer o benchmarking. Foi desta forma que comecei a trabalhar numa conferência que começou por se chamar “TIC@Edges”, no entanto tive muitas dificuldades em conseguir convencer o poder político e diplomático desses países, e também o Português, em associar-se a este projecto e acabei por me candidatar àquela que veio a ser a primeira edição do TEDx em Portugal e, curiosamente, uma das primeiras da Europa. Podemos contar com a chancela da marca “TED” e isso faz toda a diferença. O primeiro TEDxEdges foi em 18 de Setembro 2009 e foi um sucesso, e os vídeos estão todos no youtube!

E porquê a escolha do nome TEDxEdges?

O nome TEDxEdges vem do facto de Portugal ser um país periférico da Europa, ou seja “at the Edge of Europe”, e ao mesmo tempo ambicionarmos que Portugal esteja na vanguarda do conhecimento, um país inovador, um país pioneiro, ou seja “Cutting Edge”.

Para esta terceira edição pelo facto do evento ser organizado na Fundação Champalimaud acreditamos que estaremos “At the Edge of the Unknown” isto é, na Fronteira do Desconhecido – e prontos para dar o salto – tal como os nossos destemidos antepassados há mais de 500 anos. Afinal de contas, é a visão de um Portugal melhor que nos guia.

Com quanta antecedência é que se começa a preparar e a organizar um evento desta dimensão? E de que forma é que se processa a escolha dos oradores?

Para esta edição começámos a preparar o evento com cerca de um ano de antecedência. No início focamo-nos em escolher as pessoas certas para fazerem parte da equipa, em decidir o tema do TEDxEdges e escolher o local. A partir daí começámos a lidar com as restantes questões como oradores, logística, comunicação, entre outros processos.

O processo de escolha dos oradores é o processo mais complicado. Isto porque não existe uma receita para fazer as escolhas perfeitas. Mas o trabalho do curador é precisamente esse, e isso por vezes é feito com algum instinto e com a química que se cria com as pessoas.

Nós começámos por escolher um conceito, uma ideia que está por detrás da experiência que queremos proporcionar. Após várias reuniões de brainstorming ficamo-nos pelo “Being Spiritual, Sustainable, Social and Super!”.

A partir desse ponto, o que tentámos fazer é estar atentos ao mundo que nos rodeia tentando perceber quais é que seriam os oradores que acreditamos que iriam proporcionar a melhor experiência aos participantes. Procurámos pessoas que possam trazer e partilhar ideias novas, ideias que inspiram, ideias que fazem as pessoas quererem levantarem-se das cadeiras e mudar Portugal e o mundo.

Através dos oradores convidados, o TEDxEdges proporciona novas visões e novas ideias a quem assiste. Que tipo de feedback é que têm obtido por parte das pessoas que se inscrevem para assistir?

O feedback tem sido muito positivo, o que nos tem deixado muito contentes e motivados para realizar mais edições. Nestes três anos repáramos que as pessoas gostam de ouvir estas ideias e o interessante é que estas ideias são combustível para outras ideias que acabam por serem implementadas pelas pessoas na audiência. Aliás, no TEDxEdges quem está na audiência é tão interessante como os oradores, é um verdadeiro espaço de partilha intelectual.

O TEDxEdges foi o primeiro TEDx a ser realizado em Portugal e constatamos que hoje existe um movimento TEDx em todo o território de Portugal, de Norte a Sul e em cidades de diversas dimensões, o que para nós é uma enorme alegria porque mostra que havia um público que não estava a ser atendido com os modelos de conferência tradicionais. No fundo o TEDx é isto, ideias que despertam acções a serem partilhadas!

Para a edição deste ano, qual é o pensamento final que querem transmitir?

O TEDxEdges 2011 vai-se realizar perto de um local icónico para Portugal, a Torre de Belém, ponto de partida para a descoberta do desconhecido.

Ao mesmo tempo, vai-se realizar no “Centre for the Unknown” da Fundação Champalimaud que é um dos locais mais proeminentes na pesquisa da cura para o cancro; uma espécie de Santo Graal da medicina.

A mensagem que pretendemos passar num local tão singular é “the real voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes”. Ao vermos as coisas por outro prisma, podemos ter novas perspectivas e formular novas teorias da realidade, por exemplo, o cientista italiano Galileo formulou uma parte significativa da física do movimento dos corpos celestes e reforçou o heliocentrismo com base em novas ferramentas, mas também através de uma forma diferente de ver o mundo e as ideias dogmáticas da sua época. É esse espírito inquisitivo “e se fosse de outra maneira, será que?” que queremos continuar a trazer com o TEDxEdges 2011.

Partindo do tema desta edição “Being Spiritual, Sustainable, Social and Super!”, e na sua opinião enquanto curador e organizador desta edição, acha que as pessoas, enquanto seres individuais, estão a sofrer uma mudança de valores e crenças?

Nós acreditamos que o mundo está a mudar, e a mudar muito rápido. Algumas das tecnologias a que temos acesso hoje eram consideradas ficção científica há uma década atrás; telemóveis tacteis, banda larga móvel, fibra óptica em casa, e tantos outros exemplos.

E perante isto colocou-se-nos a questão: “Como será a sociedade do futuro? Como será o indivíduo do futuro?” Mergulhámos no desconhecido e não encontrámos resposta para as nossas questões e assim surgiu o tema deste ano. Acreditamos que as respostas a essas questões podem ser dadas pelo menos segundo quatro vectores.

Spirituality (Espiritualidade) – a conjugação de várias crenças em sociedade de forma pacífica;
Sustainability (Sustentabilidade) – as soluções para os problemas que enfrentamos no nosso planeta no que diz respeito ao uso dos recursos existentes;
Social (Sociedade) – a forma como vamos interagir com os nossos pares no futuro;
Super (Superação) - as tecnologias que vão expandir as nossas capacidades biologicas?

E esperamos que as perguntas sejam, parcialmente, respondidas durante o TEDxEdges, em todo o caso queremos ser uma pedrada no charco, depois as ondas farão o seu caminho.

Actualmente, e tendo em conta a situação económica e financeira que o país atravessa, de que forma este tipo de encontros ajuda a mudar ou criar novas mentalidades ou até abrir portas a novas discussões e colocá-las em prática?

O ambiente que se cria neste tipo de encontros é singular, pois o TEDxEdges é mais do que uma conferência. Este evento reúne indivíduos com formações distintas, desde cientistas a empreendedores passando por estudantes universitários e criativos. A diversidade cultural e intelectual no evento é que o torna numa experiência enriquecedora.

Este evento incentiva o networking e possibilita que parcerias ou iniciativas possam nascer a partir de interacções entre os participantes. Ao mesmo tempo, as pessoas são expostas a um conjunto de ideias; é um dia intenso.

Este ano decidimos reunir no mesmo grupo de oradores um guru budista, uma cientista e um militar, para além de muitos outros perfis, e estamos certos que isto também irá contribuir para que as pessoas conheçam novas realidades e quiçá mudar mentalidades.

Também ao longo do ano outros eventos TEDx tiveram lugar em outras cidades nacionais, com base em outros temas igualmente importantes. Que balanço é que fazem destes encontros?

Fazemos um balanço muito positivo. Quando criámos o TEDxEdges o objectivo era que alguns anos depois o movimento TEDx se consolidasse em Portugal. Isso hoje é uma realidade, o que nos deixa muito felizes por ver que este país está repleto de ideias, de pessoas com percurso e histórias fantásticas para partilhar, de pessoas com vontade de ter um impacto no mundo. Isso faz-nos acreditar que estamos perante a geração das ideias, a geração da mudança que procura novas respostas e alternativas.

E relativamente às edições anteriores da TEDxEdges?

Também fazemos um balanço muito bom. Quando começámos não imaginámos que fôssemos realizar três edições e que uma delas nem se iria realizar em Lisboa. No fundo, devemos tudo às pessoas que organizaram o TEDxEdges ao longo destes anos, aos oradores que aceitaram partilhar as suas histórias, aos participantes que decidiram aparecer e aos nossos parceiros que decidiram apoiar o evento.

No final do evento, têm o sentimento de “missão cumprida”?

O TEDxEdges 2011 é o produto de cerca de um ano de trabalho por parte de uma equipa apaixonada pelo projecto. A felicidade e o apoio do nosso público é o que nos motiva e no final do evento, não há nada tão bom como o “Obrigado” dos participantes. O TEDxEdges chega já no dia 1 de Outubro mas, estamos a esforçar-nos para proporcionar uma excelente experiência a todos os participantes.

A conferência TEDxEdges realiza-se no dia 1 de Outubro na Fundação Champalimaud. Para mais informações e inscrições, visita o site oficial ou participa no passatempo que a RDB está a promover.

Também poderás assistir ao evento a partir do youtube e estar sempre actualizado através das redes sociais. E nunca te esqueças: se estás desanimado, a vontade de vencer é sempre o factor essencial para conseguirmos o que queremos.

Congratulations to our "Name the Badge Motto Contest" Winner!

2011-09-13T17:58:00.000+01:00

Many thanks to the many that participated in the contest "Name the Badge Motto Contest". We received many replies and inspiring ideas. After a close vote between all TEDxEdges volunteers we finally selected "TEDxEdges: Inspiring to the Edge" to be the motto for our event. The same will be placed on all badges delivered with the giftbag on the day of the event and will look as the image on the left.

The winner will be contacted personally and receive the promo code.

Congratulation again to the winner and thanks all for having participated!

Summer Bird promo continues only for our Fans!

2011-09-13T06:00:00.002+01:00

Dear Facebook fans and Newsletter subscribers,

Just back from holidays? Still need to buy your ticket? Then the following will please you! Only for you, we will extend summer bird promo that will save up 20 euros from current ticket price. Please enjoy this unique opportunity only valid until 18 September. Once you are a facebook follower or subscriber to our newsletter you can claim your discount by visiting http://tedxedges.com/register and place the promo code GIVEME65.

Hurry up, places are limited!

João Lopes Marques, a Portuguese writer shares his Nordic dream exile at TEDxEdges!

2011-09-10T20:06:00.009+01:00

After a decade working as reporter for the main Portuguese newspapers and magazines, João Lopes Marques settled in Estonia in May 2006. From Hanseatic Tallinn he started writing the scripts of "Cuidado com a Língua!" (RTP) while venturing as a novelist: "O Homem que queria ser Lindbergh" is the caricature of a young man searching for more Eastern longitudes. It was followed by "Terra Java", on the secret discovery of Australia by the Portuguese, and "Iberiana", about the mysterious Iberia once thrived in present-day Georgia. The author writes weekly chronicles in Estonian and Portuguese media, signs the column "Espécies na Origem" in "Rotas & Destinos" and is the Baltic correspondent of Lusa news agency. With movie director Filipe Araújo he co-founded Blablabla Media, an experimental multimedia platform. Lopes Marques was born in Lisbon in 1971 and has degrees in International Relations and Journalism.

Scientific analysis reveals that most people going to TEDxEdges are... curious!

2011-09-10T17:45:00.006+01:00

We conducted a tag cloud analysis and concluded that most people that have registered to TEDxEdges so far consider themselves to be curious, followed by geek, funny, adventurous, entrepreneur, and learner!

We present... Loïc, our protocol master!

2011-09-09T22:52:00.000+01:00

Loïc d'Ursel, Belgian with a BA in International Affairs and Economics from Vrije Universiteit Brussel is living in Lisbon since 2009. After spending 4 years in Brazil working in the Olympic Sector as a Protocol Manager he joined Cisco in 2008 and is now Relationship Manager for Belgium and Luxembourg market based in Portugal. His passions are Olympics, Cinema, History, Travel and International Politics. His favourite Portuguese dish is Polvo à Lagareiro and enjoys Portuguese wines.

You can follow him on Linked in: http://pt.linkedin.com/in/ldursel

We present... Pedro, our gift-bag magician!

2011-09-08T17:33:00.000+01:00

Pedro Carmo Oliveira is currently managing an European Union project. As a natural consequence, Pedro is used to multi-cultural environments and creating "something" out of different perspectives (EU day-by-day).

Pedro was graduated in Computer Science Engineer from IST and post-graduated in Foresight and Strategy from ISEG. Besides work and study activities, Pedro loves to travel around the world and collect refrigerator magnets! Reading, rafting and playing indoor-football too.

Why become a TEDx'er? Isn't that obvious?! To help organize everything and provide the participants with a top-quality TEDx event!

Somos parceiros do TEDxYouth@Braga a realizar-se no dia 19 de Novembro no Teatro Circo em Braga!

2011-09-07T23:10:00.000+01:00

O TEDxYouth@Braga tem como tema principal INSPIRA-TE! Este tema tem como objectivo motivar e desafiar todos os jovens da cidade de Braga a lutarem pelos seus sonhos! A perseguir e persistir naquilo em que acreditam! A lutarem e a não desistirem das suas paixões e daquilo que os move!!!

Com um leque de oradores altamente inspiradores e com experiências de vida que nos fazem acreditar, queremos que os nossos TEDx'ters embarquem numa aventura e que saiam do evento com vontade de mudar o mundo!!!

José Cabral (a.k.a. Alfaiate Lisboeta) is a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-09-07T18:45:00.002+01:00

José Cabral, born in 1980, studied Sociology. He first worked as a flight attendant then continued his career in the banking sector. However it is only when he walked through the city with a camera and started taking pictures of people in the streets which he started posting in his blog, O Alfaiate Lisboeta, that his name became a reference of style and fashion in Portugal. He transformed Lisbon streets and other cities in the world into urban catwalks of the XXIst Century. He cooperates with international newspaper Metro and with the Portuguese edition of magazine Vogue.

Videos from our friends of TEDxCovilhã available!

2011-09-06T17:56:00.001+01:00

The videos from our partner event TEDxCovilhã are available. Watch all the inspiring moments in Youtube!

Go to TEDxEdges for free with fun!

2011-09-06T12:28:00.000+01:00

Help us to find a motto for our event that will be placed on TEDxEdges badge! (sponsored by Maudlin)

Rules: It cannot go over 20 characters and text has to be linked to the event. Example: "Knowledge to the Edge".

We shall review the best motto and the person will be contacted personally and get a free ticket!

Contest ends on Sunday 11 Sep Midnight GMT.

Neill Lochery is a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-09-05T14:00:00.000+01:00

Holding a PhD in Israeli Political parties and election, Neill is a world reference on Israel and Mediterranean Middle East history. He is the author of a series of critically acclaimed books on the region and has written countless newspaper and magazine articles. His latest book “Lisbon: War in the Shadows of the City of Light 1939-45” is published in 2011. He regularly appears on British, American and Middle East television. Neill is currently based at University College London and regularly gives talks in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

Daniela Couto is a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-09-02T05:22:00.002+01:00

Daniela Couto is CEO of Cell2b : a biotechnology start-up dedicated to the development of a new line of healthcare therapies that prevents and treats organ rejection from patients undergoing organ or tissue transplants. Daniela holds a M.Sc. Degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Minho, Portugal. She is about to defend her Ph.D. thesis in BioEngineering Systems as part of the MIT-Portugal Program. Daniela currently focuses on innovation in Bioengineering. She is studying opportunities of technological innovation resulting from the interconnection between multiple technologies in healthcare.

In TEDxEdges, she'll do a talk named "Drugs by accident", where she'll address different stories of drugs and other therapeutics that were discovered by accident or by unlikely situations and today impact the lives of millions of people worldwide. The key motivational lesson is that innovation happens everywhere, all the time, and should be our driven force for life. We can make the best of it and benefit one or millions of people!

We present... Mariana, our financial expert!

2011-08-31T04:20:00.001+01:00

Currently studing Business in ISEG (Technical University of Lisbon), Mariana Serpinina is originally from Russia, Vladivostok city.

Has managed, as a financial member, several conferences starting with AIESEC conferences 3 years ago, and now end up in TEDxEdges as a responsible for every finance issues (even pizza-time ;)

She defines herself as a creative enterpreneur and sudoku geek!

TEDxEdges Gift Bag - Our best kept secret!

2011-08-30T22:05:00.004+01:00

This year, TEDxEdges attendees will receive a gift bag full of customized TEDx gifts. In the next few days we will be releasing the gifts that we are going to include in the bag, an exclusive offer to attendees of TEDxEdges 2011. Stay tuned on our blog or Facebook page.

(*) - the gift bag in the picture is only for illustrative purposes.

Name the volunteers contest winners!!

2011-08-30T17:52:00.000+01:00

Name the volunteers contest was a great success and we already have 10 Winners! Big Congratulations to them! This contest is now closed and the 10 winners will be notified directly by email to receive the promo code at a special price. The lucky winners are:

Pedro Pais

Susana Correia

Carolina Santos

Carlos António

Telmo Dias

Silvino Marques

Daniel Wiesmann

Jorge Sepúlveda

Pedro Condessa

Mariana Moreira

If you are not part of the list, don't worry: we just extended the summer bird discount until 11 September. go get your ticket :)

Abdool Vakil is a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-08-29T23:06:00.001+01:00

Abdool Vakil is the President and co-founder of the Islamic Community of Lisbon since 1988. He also chairs the Abrahamic Forum of Portugal, an institution created in 2006 that promotes understanding among all religions and he is also a member of the Committee for Religious Freedom. A 72-year-old banker and financial advisor, Abdool Vakil, is currently also Chairman of BAO – Bank of West Africa, in Guinea-Bissau.

He has an extensive international background and brought important personalities to conference in Lisbon Mosque such as the Dalai Lama.

Nuno Barros is a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-08-28T10:31:00.000+01:00

Nuno Barros is the owner and the executive chef of brand new "1300 Taberna" at Lx Factory, Lisbon. He is also a Territorial Engineer from Instituto Superior Técnico and has worked in Regional Planning. As a Chef, he likes to work mainly with Portuguese products for his Portuguese traditional inspirational cuisine. Searching for these products leads him to producers that promote sustainability of local economies. "Cooking Sustainably" will be the title of his presentation.

Name the Volunteers and go to TEDxEdges 2011 for only 50€

2011-08-26T02:42:00.001+01:00

TEDxEdges is giving 10 participants the opportunity to assist this year’s event for only 50 euros! To win this promotion code, you have to be one of the first 10 persons to identify 4 of the Volunteers presented in the Facebook Album TEDxEdges Team Photos.

Look at these pictures and use your Web Knowledge to discover the first and last name from the Volunteers. Remember, you only need to identify 4 of them!!!

In order to participate, you have to give us a “Like” in our Facebook page. Maybe this page will be useful to you.

Once you know the answer, send us an email to info@tedxedges.com. Don’t forget to include:

a) In the subject type: "Name the Volunteers";
b) In the email body tell us: your name, last name, email and phone or mobile phone;
c) Still in the email body, identify the 4 pictures by number with the corresponding first and last name.

For more detail check the regulation.

This contest will end on the 4th of September, 2011.

Joshua Benoliel Ruah is a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-08-24T18:14:00.000+01:00

Joshua Benoliel Ruah is a renowned general surgeon and urology expert. As such, he held several leading positions in both national and European medical institutions. He wrote over 100 articles in scientific journals and other publications on urology, and was also responsible for the production of several videos on surgery techniques, having a prolific scientific activity. In parallel to his career in medicine, he’s been an active member of the Jewish community in Portugal, as president of the “Israeli Community of Lisbon” for a total of 23 years, and currently a member of the “Portuguese Association for Jewish Studies”, among others. For the sake of curiosity, in 1998/1999 he was part of the investigative committee on the gold transactions between the Portuguese and German authorities, in the period from 1936 to 1945.

One of his passions and recently discovered talents is photography, having already participated in several exhibitions.

He will join us on the panel “Being Spiritual”.

Testimonials on TEDxEdges

2011-08-21T23:36:00.002+01:00

TEDxEdges in 2010 managed to put together technology, spirituality and humour in a balanced way. The city where it was held awarded the Algarve with visitors from all over the country and abroad, and the region was loging for such an event. The red colours of the theater couldn't match the TED spirit more, and the gardens in front of it were perfect for small (or looong!) talks.

Pedro Marín, System Manager of Cisco

Lilli Naila von Mendelssohn is a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-08-21T19:50:00.002+01:00

Lilli Naila von Mendelssohn originally born in Germany has 14 years old and is now living for a year in Tamera - Peace Research Center in Southern Portugal. Since her birth she lived in Community with people of all ages. At eight years she joined the first Grace-Pilgrimage, led by Sabine Lichtenfels, Co-founder of Tamera. These pilgrimages have led her, and the youth group she is part of, to Israel, Palestine, Colombia and throughout Portugal. She is also working in the Animal-Project of Tamera, where the research is on a non-violent communication with animals.

Theater plays an important role in her education. The youth wrote a theater piece after they were confronted the first time with the situation of young people in the world. They already performed that piece in different languages all over the world. The theater is a tool to express their thinking, to make contact and to give perspectives to other youth. Because, the change you want to see in the World starts in yourself!

José Eduardo Reis is a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-08-18T20:43:00.001+01:00

José Eduardo Reis is an associate professor at the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, where he currently teaches literary, cultural and translation studies. He is also a researcher of the Institute of Comparative Literature in the Faculty of Letters at Oporto University. Apart of his affiliation in national and international organizations related to his professional skills, he is a member of the Portuguese Buddhist Union, having been vice-president of its Oporto delegation (2005-2008). Since late 1980 he started attending yearly meditation retreats under the guidance of the Japanese soto-zen master Hôgen Yamahata, from whom he become a secular disciple after translating his book On the Open Way. In the attempt to integrate and making meaningful the core of Hôgen’s teachings in a Western secular context, he has been articulating them with those provided by the Western Buddhist teachers Amy Hollowell, Martine Batchelor and Stephen Batchelor, from whom he translated the book Living with the Devil, A meditation on Good and Evil. As a zen western practitioner pursuing his socially and culturally engaged quest, he is a member of the Open Way Oporto meditation group.

Testimonials

2011-08-16T08:51:00.003+01:00

A few more friendly words from a TEDx'er of last year TEDxEdges!

It was a day well spent! I went to TEDxEdges 2010 Portimão driven by curiosity and to listen some of the speakers. The talks I was eager to listen were great but also I was surprised by the ones that I was not particularly interested in the first place: some of them were brilliant!

Congratulations to the speakers and to the fantastic organization team!

Luis Ferreira, CEO of Companhia Propria

TEDxEdges recruitment is now OPENNN!!!

2011-08-15T20:23:00.000+01:00

Hi TEDxsters!

Today we have fantastic news !!! It’s official, new recruitment is open until August 31st. We expect to meet and select a few fantastic Operational Volunteers and one Volunteer`s Project Manager Volunteer for TEDxEdges.

Therefore, if you want to be part of this unique TEDxEdges event and to work within an original and energetic team, please send us your Curriculum Vitae ASAP to info@tedxedges.com!

But, if you really want to surprise us and be ahead of potential competition, also send us attached a small video recording presenting yourself informally! Be creative! Be funny! Be yourself!! The volunteers selection criteria will be based on academic background, experience and video message originality!

Join us on Facebook and good luck!!

TEDxEdges Team

PS: In summary, the email that you will be sending us should contain:

Curriculum Vitae
Short video (optional):

Length: 30 seconds max., most will avg. 15 seconds.
Format: Any -- .mp4, .mov, .wmv, .flv etc.
Shoot with: Anything! Your iPhone, computer camera, high-quality video camera etc.
Quality: Any! HD, 1080, 720, 64 etc.
Parameters/Content: Your face should be visible, and it should be filmed from straight on. Just 1 person on video. Please read the following:

“My name is...
I'm from...
I am willing to...... for TEDx because.....”

If you have any file size problem sending us your video, please share it on a DropBox or upload it to the YouTube, but don't forget to send us the direct link (and password if needed)!

Ana Mourão is a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-08-13T18:06:00.000+01:00

Ana Mourão earned her MSc and PhD degrees in Physics at the Lomonossov Moscow State University in 1988. She is Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at IST- Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon. She is also Coordinator of the Master´s Degree in Physics and Technology at IST and vice-president of CENTRA - the Multidisciplinary Center for Astrophysics. Her scientific activity is in the field of cosmology with supernovae. This work arose in collaboration with the Supernovae Cosmology Project (Berkeley, USA), one of the teams responsible for the discovery, in 1998, of the accelerated expansion of the Universe. Currently, she has collaborations with the SNLS-Supernovae Legacy Survey, GEPI-Observatoire de Paris and the ESO-European Southern Observatory (Chile).

Ana Mourão devotes her time to outreach activities. She is concerned with the implications of the simplest Newton's laws of physics which lead to thousands of deaths and injuries in Portuguese roads.

Ricardo Diniz is a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-08-06T19:58:00.004+01:00

Ricardo Diniz, originally from a fishing village in Portugal, Ricardo has travelled the world fast and furious as an offshore sailor and young entrepreneur. Brussels nominated him European Ambassador for the Oceans. Shortly after he was a finalist in Portugal’s Most Motivating Person Award. CNN, National Geographic and all major media entity in Portugal have generously covered Ricardo’s projects since 1996. Co-Founder of the Portugal Ocean Race, Ricardo will share his thrilling experience with us.

Artur Arsénio is a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-08-06T19:23:00.003+01:00

Artur Arsenio received his doctoral degree in Computer Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston/US in 2004 on robotics and artifical intelligence, and both his MSc and Engineering Degree in Electrical and Computer Science from Instituto Superior Técnico. At MIT he introduced pervasive robotics as technologies to bring robots into people's lifes. He was a co-organizer of first TEDx event ever in Portugal.

Francisco Fonseca is a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-08-06T17:43:00.004+01:00

Francisco Fonseca is CEO of Anubis Networks and Board Member at National Association of Young Business People (ANJE). Francisco graduated with a degree in management and computer science at the University of Minho. He has extensive experience in high tech industry, services and the consulting fields and has taught at the Nova University and the Moderna University. Francisco is frequently asked for his advice and he often provides talks about entrepreneurship. He firmly believes that entrepreneurs are a relevant part of the answer for resolving the existing economical crisis.

Swami Mahalayananda is a speaker of TEDxEdges!

2011-08-05T21:23:00.003+01:00

With an educational background also in Law and development psychology Swami Mahalayananda has spend the last 28 years teaching and lecturing about spirituality around the world. At the age of 23 he had an unexpected realization of his mission in life and made a radical change of carrier. His teachings are based in the classical Yoga and Tantra, but also his many years learning from a Chinese master of Tai Chi chuan shine through. Swami has as a leader of spiritual centers and schools during these years redefined leadership and decisionmaking.

We present... Martim, our social media strategist!

2011-08-04T18:14:00.002+01:00

Martim Valle Teixeira is graduated in Computer Science and Business Administration from ISCTE. He counts on a long Strategy & Operations experience within the leading management consulting firms, PwC and Deloitte. Besides work, he loves to travel worldwide, bodyboard, music and photography. As a volunteer within TEDxEdges organization, Martim will be the Social Media Strategist and Coordinator.

Filipe Balestra is a speaker of TEDxEdges 2011!

2011-08-02T13:12:00.002+01:00

Filipe Balestra is an architect, philosopher, musician, visionary, inventor and futurist. Balestra studied architecture in Edinburgh and urbanism in Stockholm. In 2008 along with Sara Göransson he founded Urban Nouveau* - an global network of human beings to solve problems of everyday life. In that same year they designed a strategy to develop urban villages into permanent urban districts through a process of gradual improvement instead of demolition and rebuilding.

Balestra is the mentor of TISA (The Informal School of Architecture) which pilot project was launched in Cova do Vapor in 2011. Balestra's work was exposed at the Center for architecture in New York and the Museum of Architecture in Sweden. His lectures span from Sri Lanka to NY.

For more info you can check the facebook pages linked above or the site www.urbanouveau.com/ and his twitter.

Sales!!! Sales!!! Sales!!!

2011-08-02T07:53:00.002+01:00

Dear TEDxsters,

We are still celebrating the 1.000th fan on our Facebook!! In consequence we are excited to announce that, after lots of requests from our followers, we have extended the early-bird tickets sales until the 07-Aug, so that you can join TEDxEdges on the next 01-Oct and share "Being Spiritual, Sustainable, Social and Super!" new ideas with us.

If you still haven't claimed your early-bird ticket with 50% discount, for only 50€. Hurry up, you only have 6 days left! Check it on our website!

Regards,

TEDxEdges Team

Testimonials

2011-07-28T16:53:00.006+01:00

As we ask for our friends that attended TEDxEdges last year to comment the whole experience, now we'll post some of the thoughts they share about it. Kind greetings to them and hope to see you again on October for another session of pure ideas sharing. For the newies, this is an opportunity to join a great and still growing community (not only in quantity but in quality as well!) so we welcome you all!

Last year (2010) Lisbon TEDxEdges conference was an event to remember.

During a full day, a whole spectrum of real business cases was displayed before

the audience, covering diverse business areas at different development stages,

presented by individuals sharing basically the same strong risk taking attitude and

pursuing the same goal, that is success. They shared with the audience the

highs and lows of the choices they made along the way, where they thought

they could have done better and, above all, why they keep on going. And that was

the message people there wanted and deserved to hear. Judging from its 2010

edition, 2011 Lisbon TEDxEdges conference is a must!

António V. Cunha

The Crisis of Credit Visualized

2011-07-23T16:51:00.000+01:00

Easy and understandable... finally!

The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

The empathic civilisation

2011-07-23T16:48:00.000+01:00

The evolution of empathy and sense of belonging in mankind...

Joshua Silver and the Self-adjustable glasses

2011-07-15T16:21:00.001+01:00

A man with a great vision: to give vision to other men, who are also great but poor and with a vision that is not that great (and without vision doctors involved). Confused? Not anymore...

Dana T. Redford is a speaker at TEDxEdges 2011

2011-07-14T23:12:00.000+01:00

Dana T. Redford is Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Management at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa Porto and Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship Education in Portugal. He founded four start-ups across three continents and has worked as an expert evaluator for the OECD, a consultant for the European Commission and the US Department of Commerce. He is on the Board of the Portuguese Studies Program at the University of California, Berkeley.

Have you been at TEDxEdges 2010? Then we want your quote!

2011-07-13T12:27:00.004+01:00

Hello TEDxster,

If you came along to TEDxEdges conference last October we want your quote!

We're now working on TEDxEdges 2011, to be held in Lisbon on October 1st, at the Champalimaud Foundation Centre for the Unknown. To help attract like-minded delegates this year, it would be great to have some testimonials to put on our website about how you found the event last year. If you enjoyed the conference last year and would be happy to be quoted, please email me to info@tedxedges.com back with your comments.

Want an example from previous editions?

"Thank you for the excellent and stimulating conference. It was a pleasure to participate and confirm the great dynamism of you and all entrepreneurs we have in the ICT field [in Portugal]"

Alvaro Santos Pereira, Portugal's Economy Minister
Speaker at TEDxEdges 2009 - Original message sent in Portuguese.

For your generosity in providing your quote, I will be emailing back a coupon discount-code of 10% for TEDxEdges 2011 full-day pass early-bird ticket - exclusively on sale on www.tedxedges.com until the end of July.

Keep visiting our blog or facebook page to look out for news on this years’ event.

Regards,

André Marquet
TEDxEdges Curator

PS: Need to remember some of the details? You can consult all
TEDxEdges 2010 talks on video at http://tedxedges.com/schedule

The TEDxEdges 2011 Chronicles!

2011-07-13T00:08:00.002+01:00

Hi TEDxEdgers, Summer time does not stop us from working in the preparation of TEDxEdges, so this Monday, July 11th, our team gathered in our headquarters at beta-i in order to discuss the world economy, how to promote peace among nations and other important related matters, such as speakers and the set up for the weekly newsletter. We were eight, plus Nuno Correia that joined us via skype. We have chaotic meetings where everybody was shouting at the same time and louder by the minute...and this one was no exception.

However, we were able to elaborate a list of all invited speakers (some of them already revealed, others are still a surprise to be released in the following days).

We are really surprised with the key note speakers that have confirmed their presence in the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown...stay tuned to know more!

At the same time, part of the TEDxEdges team was giving birth to the first edition of this years' newsletter! To be sent out later this week, so we can give you first hand news.

At 22h, a starving team shut the lights of our office in Beta-i. See you next week.

PS: thanks to Mario Nzualo for the photos!(the guy that does not show on the photo)

PPS: thanks to Ines Cunha Alves for the meeting memo.

This is beatjazz

2011-07-08T18:51:00.001+01:00

Toward new concepts of musical and live performance instruments, and in the process, create some new and sexy funky sounds!

Measuring what makes life worthwhile

2011-07-04T17:48:00.000+01:00

What a motel maid and a king can teach us about how we live our life? About what really counts for our happiness.

What do you think about our 84x55 mm TEDxEdges 2011 sticker?

2011-07-03T22:37:00.002+01:00

General Luis Valença Pinto is a speaker at TEDxEdges 2011

2011-07-03T21:41:00.003+01:00

General Luís Vasco Valença Pinto (Chief of the General Staff of the Portuguese Armed Forces - retired) was born in Lisbon. He joined the Army as a Cadet in 1963 at the Military Academy and was commissioned into the Engineer Branch. General Valença Pinto’s military education includes, amongst other courses, the Army Command and General Staff Course and the Army War College. He is an “ancien” from the NATO Defence College, Rome (course 72). He also holds a Civil Engineering degree from the Technical University of Lisbon.

General Valença Pinto has been awarded several decorations, amongst them seven Distinguished Service Medals (five Gold and two Silver) and the Military Merit Medal in three different classes. He is a regular lecturer at defence and military institutes and at civilian universities, both in Portugal and abroad.

General Valença Pinto is going to talk about the fact that Defense is a broad concept, consider the following: Portugal military defense model is simple, and based on 3 distinct phases:

Phase 1: Defend logistic depots and Air, Naval, and Terrestrial transportation and telecom networks.

Phase 2: When the above fails to be possible, then armed forces are to concentrate on protecting civilians on population centers, and guarantee that strategic cities do not fall over adversary control.

Phase 3: In the worst case scenario, when the above fails to be possible, and assuming most of the country is occupied by an invading force, then Portuguese military are to instruct, prepare and organize civilian population (and surviving military forces) to perform guerrilla warfare and sabotage operations against the invading forces in order to encourage nationalistic feeling and keep hope on regaining independence, at least while there is some form of Portuguese political power remaining.

When the so-called PIGS (Portugal, originally Italy (now also Ireland), Greece and Spain) are constantly seeing their bonds ratings downgraded by the three main rating agencies, then the traditional defense models are useless, and countries are exposed to wild financial interests and effectively kept out of financial markets – the International Monetary Fund might be able to come in to lend money to prevent a total bankruptcy of the state while imposing strict financial and economic reforms with huge impact in people’s lives, as is now visible in the daily riots in Greece, the “indignados” movement in Spain (although not because of external intervention) and other similar movements and manifestations in Portugal.

What new defense models should we consider in these situations? How can countries effectively protect themselves against wild international financial gambling while preventing external (non-military) interventions and effective loss of national sovereignty? What are the assets Portugal can count with to help prepare a better future for its people?

At TEDxEdges 2011, we will have General Luis Valença Pinto to share his vision of Defence in XXI century with us.

Andre Marquet, Mario Nzualo and Miguel Jerónimo with TED founder Richard Wurman, in Lisbon.

2011-07-02T18:22:00.001+01:00

Life lessons from an ad man

2011-07-01T14:11:00.000+01:00

What is value nowadays?

Meeting MoM#7: TEDxEdges 2011

2011-06-30T02:06:00.000+01:00

With an incredible weather outside (noticed on our meeting room by the sauna-like temperature ) and the smell of cold beer on sunny esplanades, we - the TEDxEdges geeks - gathered again on Beta-i to discuss and plan more things about the event (just for you guys, keep on mind that :)

It's all about communication, somebody said it sometime (and probably somewhere). And this meeting focused on that: we talked about the invitation email and newsletter, pimp our website with some more features and configured the register tool: it's ready for you to fill if you gently press this button (You'll receive a title of awesomeness for being a early bird! And well, a good discount too... (just because you're awesome and we like you)

We also did a crazy brainstorm with crazy ideas of crazy marketing for this crazy event. If you're crazy like us, don't feel afraid to send your crazyness-shaped marketing ideas in the comments area or facebook. (or maybe you can send us tips to get outside on sunny afternoons...)

See you next week!

Giftbag do TEDxEdges 2011. Alguém tem ideias de prendas originais para incluirmos?

2011-06-30T01:07:00.001+01:00

João Nogueira Santos is a speaker at TEDxEdges 2011

2011-06-29T00:47:00.002+01:00

João Nogueira Santos (39) is the founder of the civilian movement "Adere, vota e intervém dentro de um partido. Cidadania para a mudança" (Citizen for change), that promotes people participation within political parties. He he has a degree in management and works as marketing manager in a mobile operator in Portugal. He is interested on innovation, politics and citizenship. He strongly believes the talented and informed people in Portugal, must be more political aware and active, if they want a better politics and governments. João was also gave a talk on Citizen for Change (in Portuguese) at TEDxLisboa in 2010. At TEDxEdges, João will be talking about Portugal great misunderstanding about the idea of citizens' political participation, and why it's contributing to the decline of our Democracy, and what must change.

TEDxEdges welcomes Marta Malheiro as our ideator.

2011-06-28T00:05:00.006+01:00

Marta is a landscape architect, graduated from Instituto Superior de Agronomia, in Lisboa. She works as a freelancer, in her own Landscape Architecture office - Piso|terreo|.

Environment is a key issue to promote health and a creative mood, so she is fully dedicated to develop the right environment to boost productivity through a positive attitude. She likes to communicate through images, photographs, watercolors, etc and enjoys watching people´s reactions to stimulus.

Why did she volunteer for TEDxEdges team? Because she wants to increase female participation in the group! And she's very welcomed indeed.

Become a Sponsor of TEDxEdges 2011 - Check our newly released sponsor package!

2011-06-22T12:31:00.004+01:00

For more information on sponsorship packages and to discuss becoming a sponsor, please contact André Marquet (andre.marquet@tedxedges.com) or Pedro Rocha Vieira (pedro.rochavieira@beta-i.pt). Check out "TEDxEdges11 - sponsorpack.pdf" for details on sponsorship opportunities that can be customized to meet specific marketing objectives (values presented on the sponsorship grid do not include VAT).

MoM#6: TEDxEdges 2011

2011-06-21T00:51:00.003+01:00

On a very sunny afternoon, powered by a bag full of good old "candies" of sugus, the team came up with some interesting discussions about, for example, the ticket prices! The price was defined and will be published soon, but one thing is certain: there will be discounts and the biggest one is for early birds, so if you didn't register yet, register now!

The online ticketing tool will probably be Amiando (unless anyone knows other tools to suggest) because it has some great features like discussion groups that will allow TEDxsters to connect before the event.

We have also reviewed the list of speakers and noted the lack of women, which is also reflected on the lack of female audience. Why is that? How can we turn this around? We came up with some ideas that will probably balance the audience but we want to hear from you. So, what do you think we can do to invert this?

And finally, we can announce that three newcomers joined the TEDxEdges team. Mário is the new Public Relations coordinator who's going to take the lead with TED headquarters and with general media communication. Marta will help with design and communication materials, while Pedro (the author!) is probably going to help with web tools and content.

TEDxEdges welcomes Mário Nzualo as Public Relations coordinator.

2011-06-19T14:02:00.005+01:00

Mário is from Mozambique but has been living in Portugal for 4 years. He's currently taking a MSc. Degree in Network Communications Engineering at Instituto Superior Técnico - and has experience in working in multicultural teams since he's a member of a pan-European students' NGO (BEST - Board of European Students of Technology). In this organization, he has worked in many positions including Corporate Relations Officer, Project Coordinator, President and Soft Skills Trainer.

His topics of interest include social entrepreneurship, electronic payment systems, innovation and change management. Mário is a passionate doer which means that he enjoys keeping things moving and he will bring a new background into the table which might help in bringing fresh ideas and a lot of positive energy into the team.

Vasco Gaspar is a speaker at TEDxEdges 2011

2011-06-17T20:48:00.002+01:00

Vasco Gaspar grown up experimenting different activities, he created a pirate radio (Vertigem), performed and directed comedy sketches (TV Fusca) and formed his own rock band (Jazel). Later, started his studies wanting to be a Computer Scientist, changed his mind to be a Doctor, entered the university to be an Engineer and end up as a Psychologist. More recently, his main focus is on the Wellness area, having developed a free tool ZorBuddha, whose mission is to help people, organizations, and society at large to live happier and more balanced days. He strongly believes that it is possible to change the world, but that change must start inside each one of us: the expression of our unique potential is the true path for spirituality.

Meeting MoM#5: TEDxEdges 2011

2011-06-17T01:03:00.007+01:00

This week's TEDxEdges preparation meeting was held during Santo Antonio - a festive week in Lisbon. We were only a few, Inês, Pilar , Hugo and André but the meeting was concise and focused -

Organizing Speakers for a conference is always a difficult issue. Our aim is to show the state-of-the-art of what it is happening in Portugal - we want to boost ideas into the economical scenario throughout sharing important voices in our country.

Meanwhile Andre Marquet, TEDxEdges curator shared his weekend experience on a "survival bootcamp" where he learnt some surviving techniques from the Portuguese Marines in a rather secret place in the centre of Portugal, and the “small talk” ended up being about redefining priorities, as Maslow stated, when we are forced to live and deal with our first needs we gain a new whole perpective about meaning.

Privation is sometimes a path to discover a new way of living. Privation is not the lack of something, but a way of having the essential.

Anyways, back to TEDxEdges it´s exciting to see how the TEDxEdges video is being worked out. TEDxEdges teaser video concept is a mesh of enthusiasm, creativity and patriotism, as it is a way to pay tribute to our adventurous and heroic ancestors - the "discoverers" as they are called in Portugal, in order to make a link with the unknown future, playing with the words of name of the venue "The Centre for the Unknown".

A hot day as it was could have make us as bit sleepy but the TEDx vibe is always a good way to team up and to plan further steps into the unknown future. Keep in touch with you next week.

Author: Pilar Malheiro

Defence is a broad concept.

2011-06-16T10:40:00.003+01:00

Portugal military defense model is simple, and based on 3 distinct phases:

Phase 1: Defend logistic depots and Air, Naval, and Terrestrial transportation and telecom networks.

Phase 2: When the above fails to be possible, then armed forces are to concentrate on protecting civilians on population centers, and guarantee that strategic cities do not fall over adversary control.

Phase 3: In the worst case scenario, when the above fails to be possible, and assuming most of the country is occupied by an invading force, then Portuguese military are to instruct, prepare and organize civilian population (and surviving military forces) to perform guerrilla warfare and sabotage operations against the invading forces in order to encourage nationalistic feeling and keep hope on regaining independence, at least while there is some form of Portuguese political power remaining.

When the so-called PIGS (Portugal, originally Italy (now also Ireland), Greece and Spain) are constantly seeing their bonds ratings downgraded by the three main rating agencies, then the traditional defense models are useless, and countries are exposed to wild financial interests and effectively kept out of financial markets – the International Monetary Fund might be able to come in to lend money to prevent a total bankruptcy of the state while imposing strict financial and economic reforms with huge impact in people’s lives, as is now visible in the daily riots in Greece, the “indignados” movement in Spain (although not because of external intervention) and other similar movements and manifestations in Portugal.

What new defense models should we consider in these situations? How can countries effectively protect themselves against wild international financial gambling while preventing external interventions and effective loss of national sovereignty? What are the assets Portugal can count with to help prepare a better future for its people?

In 2011, we will have a leading NATO expert to share his vision of Defence in XXI century with us at TEDxEdges 2011.

David G. Santos is a speaker at TEDxEdges 2011, on "Why morality was born 4000 million years ago."

2011-06-13T16:10:00.004+01:00

David G. Santos is an independent web consultant and professor at the University of Beira Interior, where he teaches Political Theory, Political Thought and Political Philosophy in the Philosophy, Communication Sciences and Political Science courses. He is the youngest philosophy teacher working in any Portuguese universities. Specialist in Ancient Philosophy and Philosophy of Religion. He is a researcher at the Center for Philosophy of the University of Lisbon since 2008 and the Institute for Practical Philosophy of the University of Beira Interior since 2009. David is going to give a talk on why he thinks religion started 4000 million years ago!

Let's use video to reinvent education

2011-06-09T21:16:00.000+01:00

A new paradigm of education: what if every child could learn at their own rhythm and have personalized and informed help by the teacher? The Khan Academy and how to use technology to humanize the classroom.

Resumo reunião#4 de preparação do TEDxEdges 2011 - 7 de Junho

2011-06-09T01:51:00.005+01:00

Olá TEDxsters,

A partir de hoje de inauguramos a crónica semanal "Resumos de reunião" com os tópicos de cada uma das reuniões semanais de preparação do TEDxEdges 2011, até ao dia 1 de Outubro. Para que possam ir acompanhando as nossas discussões e nos poderem dar sugestões, dicas e comentários! Aqui ficam os pontos chave da reunião de 7 de Junho:

. Foi elaborado um painel de speakers provisório.
. Estão a ser feitos 2 vídeos:
.. Teaser NAEL 30 segundos
.. RSA 3 minutos
. Reuniões passam a ser às 2ªs feiras às 19h
. Actualizada imagem do Facebook (check it out!)
. Actualizado banner do blog
. Irão existir workshops/demonstrações musicais antes de cada bloco
que podem consistir em artistas falarem de um projecto(p.e. Música
para Bébes) + uma pequena performance
. Falou-se de passar o painel SOCIAL para SENIOR!!!
. Falta definir um speaker da fundação...
. Ver possibilidade de enviar convite através da Fundação para António
Damásio e António Travassos (fixe?)

Tarefas:

. Hugo Garcia ficou de elaborar um script para o filme RSA tendo como
base o script original do André Marquet
. André Marquet ficou de actualizar as reuniões no Google Calendar
. Pedro Santos ficou de falar com o Nuno Correia para tentar incluir
DVD's no acordo com a RTP
. Mariana ficou de falar com Swami Mahalayananda Saraswati
. Pilar ficou de formalizar a confirmação do Filipe Balestra
. Mariana ficou de investigar a possibilidade da IEEE pagar a vinda do
Marcin Jakubowski ou do António Damásio
. André Marquet e Pilar ficaram de confirmar Dana T Redford como
speaker
[AM] Ok, entretanto já falámos com ele e está confirmado! A Pilar vai-lhe enviar o convite formal.

(Autor: Pedro Santos)

The case for collaborative consumption

2011-06-06T22:53:00.000+01:00

The concept of ownership is outdated. Welcome to the consumption and sharing paradigm of the 21st century!

TEDxEdges welcomes Rodrigo Viterbo as Arts Director

2011-06-05T09:59:00.006+01:00

Rodrigo Viterbo is a Didgeridoo maker, this bearded guy, is also a player and teacher of didgeridoo since 2001 and has been very active in promoting the instrument in Portugal! He studied with the best didgeridoo musicians and with the master Djalu Gurruwiwi and was adopted by Balpatji Gurruwiwi aboriginal tribe of Autralia. He was part of the foundation of the Portuguese Didgeridoo Association which started the Residência de Didgeridoo and Festival de Didgeridoo.

Rodrigo is working with Fértil Associação Cultural as an actor, musician, teacher and promoting the access to culture and art to different groups. At TEDxEdges, Rodrigo Viterbo is going to take care of the artistic performances and make sure you have a great time at TEDxEdges in 2011.

TEDxEdges welcomes Pilar Malheiro as the speakers manager.

2011-05-31T14:43:00.005+01:00

Pilar graduated in Economics at the Universidade Nova of Lisbon, Pilar in Portuguese (and also in Spanish) means column! and she trully stands still as her challenge at TEDxEdges is to take care of speakers selection and invitation process. Pilar started working as a trainee at Público, and then at Semanário Económico, two major Portuguese newspapers. Although this was a great experience for her, she changed her path from the Media sector to a "pure" business environment and in 2004 she joined one of the worlds leading risk consultancy companies - Aon.

She has been working at Aon for the last 7 years and during that period she has been able to experience various different roles within the company, such as Marketing Analyst, Affinity Director and Business Developer, where she has been able to develop solid team building and leadership skills.

Pilar´s passions include subjects as diverse as Evolutionary Psychology, Behavioral Economics, Cinema and Classic Literature. Following her interests, Pilar is actively involved in workshops in different areas such as Creative Writing and Acting, besides being a regular presence in Lisbon´s Cinemateca, and a self-confessed TED Talks addict.

Volunteering for TEDxEdges is Pilar´s attempt to drive worldwide brainstorming in every single house.

Jorge Buescu is a speaker at TEDxEdges 2011, on "The mistery of ID card and other stories."

2011-05-30T23:56:00.004+01:00

Jorge Buescu is a professor in the Department of Mathematics of Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon. He completed his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Warwick, UK. He has authored and co-authored several scientific papers in mathematics, physics and engineering. He wrote the book "O Mistério do Bilhete de Identidade e Outras Histórias" the first of a series on mathematics and science communication. In 2001 he was awarded the Rómulo de Carvalho Research and Science Communication. He has a Personal page on the Internet.

How great leaders inspire action

2011-05-30T17:25:00.001+01:00

Success is not about what you do or how you do it. Success, as a manner of fact, is just about the WHY you do it.

TEDxEdges welcomes André Afonso to its volunteers team.

2011-05-29T23:41:00.009+01:00

With the same last name as the founder of Portugal, André Afonso born in Lisbon in April 1986. André has a Master's degree in computer engineering with expertise in Architecture, Security and Computer Networks from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon in 2009. During his degree in Computer Engineering has been involved in the research group GUESS developing projects of Artificial intelligence with focus on Social Simulation.

Always watching for events that boost the collectivity and individuality to move forward finding new solutions to make things better and easier in a intuitive way. He worked at area of e-government projects including high availability interactive portals and stand-alone utility applications.

Nowadays working on multimedia and logistic projects, André starts going to entrepreneurship events on February of 2010 at TALKS 2.0 under the theme of Fails and Successes in Building Technology Companies, in April 2010 was at SHIFT Conference, in May 2010 he has been at the first edition of SWITCH Conference where he was micro sponsor of the event and in October 2010 he has been at TEDxEdges 2010 hosted at the beautiful city of Portimão. The last event in 2010 where he has been present was Sapo Codebits in November at Pavilhão Atlantico in Lisbon.

This year already has been present at the second edition of SWITCH Conference and also of TALKS 2.0 under the theme Happiness and Creativity in your Work Life. Also participated in Startup Weekend Oporto in developing a business idea and now will go put his skills at the service of TEDxEdges as the volunteer for all things internet.

TEDxEdges welcomes Jerónimo to its volunteers team.

2011-05-29T13:02:00.005+01:00

With a name inspired in a famous native american warrior, Miguel Jerónimo born in Lisbon on 1987. Working on a master degree on robotics engineering in Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), is interested in studies about the connection between art and technology, mainly the role of emotions in artificial inteligence (also known as affective computing) to engage different artistic fields in a integrated intermedia instrument. At the same time, have made various workshops about random themes, like electroacoustic music at FCSH Summer School, piano and music theory at Espaço Evoé, field-recordings and interactive music systems at Goethe Institute, group improvisation with Faust at ZDB Galley, multi-touch interfaces, real-time video manipulation and physic computing with sensors at Audiência Zero, feng-shui at Urban Pop-Art Festival and some workshops about cinema at CCB and Cinema São Jorge. Co-founder of EMSCAN and Arena de Feras, two cultural and non-profit associations, also works as a volunteer at AIESEC, JA-YE Alumni Network, CinemaParaIST, CicIist and now at TEDxEdges.

The surprising truth about what motivates us

2011-05-26T14:19:00.000+01:00

Growth, evolution and pursuit of knowledge, instead of money, money, money!

TEDxEdges proud to announce partnership with Champalimaud Foundation.

2011-05-22T20:52:00.011+01:00

We're very proud to announce a key-partnership with Champalimaud Foundation. TEDxEdges 2011 will be held at a magnificient venue, the Auditorium of the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown

TEDxEdges 2011 Presentation

View more presentations from Andre Marquet

TEDxEdges 2011: uma nota pessoal do curador.

2011-05-21T10:45:00.005+01:00

Desde 2010 que o TEDxEdges é organizado pela Beta-i. A forma mais interessante de explicar quais as razões que nos levaram a tomar esta decisão é, a de porventura, contar a história do nascimento do TEDxEdges e da Beta-i, o que tentarei fazer nos próximos parágrafos.

Quando em 2008 comecei a pensar organizar uma conferência sobre inovação estava sobretudo a idealizar uma conferência sobre os modelos tecnológicos para Portugal, e fazer um balanço do que então se denominava de Plano Tecnológico – tinha em mente sobretudo a Finlândia e Israel, países cujos modelos de desenvolvimento me pareciam interessantes – e confesso que o TEDxEdges 2009 acabou por ser delineado sobretudo por essa ideia matriz de benchmarking com outros países da nossa dimensão, e igualmente apelidados de periféricos.

Algumas semanas após realizarmos o primeiro TEDxEdges, em 18 de Setembro de 2009, na Fundação Luso Americana para o Desenvolvimento, comecei a trocar algumas ideias com o actual presidente da Beta-i, Pedro Rocha Vieira e acordámos que deveríamos procurar desenvolver um trabalho mais estruturado de apoio ao empreendedorismo e à inovação em Portugal. Acto continuo, achámos que deveríamos criar uma associação que, depois de alguns brainstorms, já com uma equipa mais alargada, denominámos de Beta-i,- Associação para a Promoção do Empreendedorismo e da Inovação. O Pedro Rocha Vieira tinha uma experiência alargada de envolvimento com o chamado terceiro sector, e conseguiu agregar à sua volta um conjunto de pessoas muito empenhadas neste projecto, e que hoje são os co-fundadores da Beta-i.

Em 2009, a organização do primeiro TEDxEdges foi para mim e para as pessoa que estiveram envolvidas na sua organização, uma autêntica escola de empreendedorismo. Pela primeira vez lidámos com recebimentos e pagamentos, e com um conjunto de questões, que eram o mais parecido com uma start-up, em que tínhamos estado envolvidos, e acabámos por nos aperceber das dificuldades do processo. Tive de usar uma empresa da qual sou sócio, como plataforma organizativa – passar facturas, receber as entradas, pagar a fornecedores, entre outras burocracias associadas.

Assim, e como tínhamos finalmente constituído a associação em Junho de 2010, contávamos com a plataforma ideal para organizar em 1 de Outubro de 2010, o TEDxEdges no Algarve, na acolhedora e soalheira cidade de Portimão. Com a Beta-i, o TEDxEdges pôde contar com uma equipa empenhada, e com uma estrutura dinâmica que nos permite pensar em novos desafios.

E eis que nos encontramos em 2011, já a tratar da orgnização do TEDxEdges deste ano, a fervilhar de ideias: para espaços, oradores, temáticas e com uma equipa fantástica constituída pelo Pedro Rocha Vieira (Presidente da Beta-i), Artur Arsénio (Presidente do MIT Clube de Portugal) e Rui Ribeiro (Presidente da LISS – Escola de Informática da Lusofona), para além de um grupo de voluntários muito activos.

O movimento TEDx está hoje bem consolidado em Portugal, com dezenas de pessoas a organizar eventos de Norte a Sul do país, TEDxLisboa, TEDxOporto, TEDxAveiro, TEDxCovilhã e tantos outros que ajudam a desmontar o negativismo e o fado da crise, com projectos que mostram que Portugal tem ideias, tem pessoas muito válidas, e que pode vencer, desde que permita e incentive, que os melhores e mais esforçados sejam acarinhados e prestigiados pela nossa sociedade, e reconhecidos tanto lá fora como cá dentro!

Tenho um sonho para o movimento TEDx em Portugal, e acho que estará cumprido quando todas as escolas, e empresas em Portugl começarem a dedicar um dia ou uma tarde por mês para a partilhar ideias que valem mesmo pena. É também esse o desafio do TEDxEdges e agora da Beta-i.

Obrigado pelo apoio ao longo destes anos e contamos convosco em 2011.

André Marquet
TEDxEdges Curator
Beta-i CoFounder

Releasing the music in your head

2011-05-19T02:15:00.000+01:00

Music for everyone: using art and technology to allow personal expression. And if even a person with mental handicaps could compose music to overcome his body and show himself to the world?

Open Source Ecology

2011-05-19T02:01:00.001+01:00

How to use the paradigm of open source software in hardware, afterall the thing that can directly affect people lifes.

What do the FINNS need to know About PORTUGAL

2011-05-07T18:21:00.000+01:00

Portuguese Journalist writes an “open letter to the Finnish people.”

2011-05-02T22:13:00.006+01:00

I found it good to tell here the details of a story that, however it might seem to belong to the past so easily reminds us all of the lessons that history is able to teach us. And how much it may seem incomprehensible, the lessons that history sometimes teaches, surprise especially those with short memory.

The location was Lisbon, and the year 1940, specifically the thirty-ninth day after the end of the first and heroic war fought by the Finnish People against foreign attempts to erase from the map this nation as one of the free and independent countries of Europe.

The Winter War in Finland which contrary to what everyone thought proved that it could be possible to defeat Soviet imperialism, at the time had a much bigger impact than what is thought today by most Finns.

The cries of suffering and the horrors of the Russo-Finnish War and the terrible sacrifices imposed on your country, moved and touched the hearts of the Portuguese people in another distant corner of this ancient continent called Europe.

Maybe it was because of a feeling of brotherhood, or even for identifying themselves with the sacrifices that another small nation and another peripheral country was being subject to ... but the eagerness to help Finland quickly emerged between the Portuguese people, who are as proud today then were yesterday of the values of independence and nationhood. Portugal, the European nation with the more stable borders and more lasting peace within all, could not afford to, and not allowed to remain in the comfort of passivity of doing nothing for Finland, that was on the brink of becoming just another of Stalin’s province.

Portugal was then a country at a crossroad, submerged in poverty [and flooded by refuges from all over occupied Europe] and constrained by a cruel dictatorship and fascist regime. The Portuguese were in those days almost invariably poor and illiterate, oppressed and unhappy, but also hard working, honest, proud, united and full of compassion, mobilized to offer the smallest of which they managed to gather to help the needy and desperate people of Finland.

In cities and towns and villages of Portugal, farmers, workers, students, parents, and millions of people, many of them not possessing more than just three pieces of clothing, offered themselves their more modest and precious goods, barely withstanding the scarcity that they were able to prescribe as expendable: blankets, coats, heavy jackets and shoes, and bags of wheat and rice grown in the marshlands and lowland rivers of Portugal. Bids were collected by schools and churches of the north and south, and shipped by boat to Helsinki with the prior permission of Nazi Germany and the Allies. In an extraordinary gesture of gratitude, Mr. George Winekelmann, who was at the time the diplomatic representative of Finland in Lisbon (and also in Madrid), published a note on the front page of one of the most prestigious newspapers of Portugal, Diario de Noticias “to thank the Portuguese people the help and assistance provided to Finland in the hardest times of all …”

The acknowledgement note to Portugal was published on the twentieth day of April 1940, almost exactly 70 years ago to this day, and continued saying that "failing to respond directly to each of the countless testimonies of sympathy and solidarity that he had the happiness of receiving in recent months, and which were of immense consolation and moral and material comfort to my country, which has been through painful trials, I turn to the Portuguese nation, to offer you my deepest thanks. Never the Finnish people will forget the nobility of such an attitude. I am sure that the ties between Portugal and Finland have become narrower and whoever will survive the cataclysm which has fallen over my own innocent country, thereby helping to mitigate the consequences of such unjustified aggression." By virtue of another effort to help Finland, organized by Portuguese students, George Winekelmann once again returned to the first page of the same Portuguese newspaper, on a note written on July 16, 1940, to express his immense gratitude: "Mr. George Wineckelmann, Minister of Finland, was yesterday at the Ministry of Education (...) to acknowledge the interest that earned the children of his home during the conflict with Russia (...) and it’s important to recognize that gift with Portuguese students rescued the little ones in Finland." It is ironic that, nationalism and the ways in which some Europeans choose to express it in the present day, are in stark contrast to the value of the concept of nation expressed 70 years ago by a much older country, and from a people that were much less wealthy and mostly illiterate, when confronted with the struggle for survival of a nation-sister, who is much richer and better educated and … younger. We must honor the past not to forget the deeds and triumphs of those who live. No longer true concept of nationalism can never be dissociated from the obligation to honor the past. At the end of 870 years of history, sometimes with tremendous difficulties and others with major discoveries, one of the successes of Portugal as a nation is the unity of its people, quietly holding hands look beyond the horizon of their land, that have taken into the unknown challenges facing the seven seas of the Earth, without ever closing the doors to anyone hospitable and friendly, and never escape the pitfalls that may be faced in the path of its own destiny. Ironic as it is, something does not seem to be right when the economical condition reached by a fellow EU member so remote in the other corner of the Europe, becomes a curious way, perhaps a decisive one in the electoral choices made by the people of another nation.

As desirable as it may be, refusing to assist and help a nation that is being tested the winds of a financial cataclysm is probably not the wisest step for countries united by spirit and proud to honor their true intrinsic values of solidarity and mutual friendship, especially when afflicted by adversity and crisis. No matter how corrupt than its elite has behaved, no matter how misguided their country has been, and more exhausted her state is, the ordinary men and women of Portugal, sons and daughters and grandsons and grand -daughters of those who lived 70 years ago, and feel that they are the hostages and innocent victims of a financial war that was declared against their wallets, and that threatens their honest and despite modest ways of living.

But confronted by today's times, in apparent insolvency and in the most lonely of all their hours, with despair and adversity, I'm confident that the Portuguese of today, moms and dads, farmers, workers, priests and students, and even children, will rise in consciousness, in order to show its sincere and genuine feelings of nationalism and humility to help and comfort Finland and Finnish people, if some other cataclysm or disaster came to the door of Finland and illuminate the obscure idea of the extinction of the heroic Finnish nation, as it did seven decades ago. We can all learn from small and genuine lessons of history.

Helder Fernandes
TSF correspondent
(translated from the original version in Portuguese)

TEDxCovilhã é no dia 14 de Maio de 2011

2011-04-28T15:00:00.003+01:00

O movimento TEDx continua a expandir-se, desta feita, através do TEDxCovilhã que irá decorrer, como o nome indica, na cidade da Covilhã, na Univ. da Beira Interior no dia 14 de Maio - mais informações em www.tedxcovilha.com.

Temos uma (só uma!) entrada para oferecer, cortesia do Nuno Neves que é o host do TEDxCovilhã. Iremos enviar o convite pelo correio a quem o reclamar primeiro no nosso mural do facebook em http://facebook.com/tedxedges com a inserção da frase "Eu vou ao TEDxCovilhã". Boa sorte!