‘Demand a better Malawi’ inspires TEDx Lilongwe conference

Recently, the hashtag #DemandABetterMalawi appeared on social media basically encouraging people to take more action towards the betterment of Malawi.

The hashtag has inspired the next TEDx Lilongwe conference scheduled to be held on 21^t May 2016 at the Crossroads Auditorium and shall have a live screening at Mzuzu University (Mzuzu), Golden Peacock Hotel (Lilongwe), College of Medicine (Blantyre) and Chancellor College (Zomba).
 “This year’s main TED conference was held in Vancouver, Canada under the theme “Dream”. Malawians may be dreaming in colour, but we want to turn these dreams into reality. TEDx Lilongwe are demanding that ideas grow into something tangible. TEDx Lilongwe have a demand for ideas that can ultimately transcend into sustainable solutions.

“What do you demand for? What should we demand for as a nation? TEDxLilongwe want to hear talks of demand; demand more, demand less, demand results, demand answers,” reads the statement made available to Nyasa Times.

According to the statement, TEDx Lilongwe talks will stimulate debate around four potential thematic areas such as Economy, Youth, Culture and Innovation.

“The economy needs for citizens to demand for a vibrant economy free from corruption. The youth are a young generation that can take responsibility in shaping the policies of the country to respond to their needs. We have a culture that can be sustained as a heritage. We need to expose innovative minds that can spearhead growth.

“There is a great need for change throughout the world; because of this demand the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on 25 September 2015. These are broken down into 17 categories and every country is to select the categories that need most work in their country. These goals were developed to make a promise to end poverty and provide a life a life of dignity for all on a healthy planet within a generation.

“Mia Seppo, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident representative made a speech on the SDGs during the 2015 UN Day celebrations. She said SDGs are about 4Ps and a DJ: Planet, Prosperity, Partnership and Dignity plus Justice.”

TEDx Lilongwe is looking to hear of transformative change, whether in one’s self, community, area, association, city, district, region, country or planet.

The statement further stressed that TEDxLilongwe is not a political and developmental conference, saying TED describes itself as a conference about ideas worth spreading.

One of the organizers of TEDx Lilongwe, Emma Katengeza said the event is looking for diverse, inspiring and moving talks.

“Talks in the past have ranged from philosophy, psychology, mathematics, hospitality, addiction, education, self-help, global issues, love, feminism and so many more. Any idea is welcome in the TEDx Lilongwe community.

“We’re looking at the audience as much as we’re looking at the speakers. We want people in the room to be able to listen to and engage with our content, and to actively promote those kinds of conversations on a regular basis even after the event,” she explained

Tickets for the conference at Crossroads are going at MWK8,000; they are available in Lilongwe at Koko Bean Café, mHub, Papaya, Steers (City Centre) and Crossroads Hotel.

TED stands for ‘Technology, Entertainment, Design’. It is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 26 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. Today, TED shares ideas from a broad spectrum — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages.

In the past, TEDx Lilongwe talks have had speakers such as Qabaniso Malewezi, Maria Haralambidou, Heather Lulu Maseko, Jeffrey Tillius, Masankho Banda, Henry Kachaje, Godfrey Masauli, Ellen Doherty, Edmond Kachale, George Kalukusha, Lilly Banda, Hastings Tchinga, Menes La Plume among others.