First TEDxDerryLondonderry to be broadcast live from city next week

The event has the theme of ‘Imagine Change’, will be broadcast live from Echo Echo Dance Theatre on Monday, February 8.

It has been described as a ‘hybrid event’ with over 20 speakers from across the city.

Speaking ahead of the event, volunteer Bronagh Healey said: “All TEDx events are volunteer led. I spoke at the ‘TEDxDerryLondonderry Women’ event in November, but the ‘Imagine Change’ event is the first to happen in Derry under that licencing brand.

“They’re all voluntary led, not for profit. It’s a community event and they’re happening all over the world.

“The ‘x’ means that it is independently organised but it is still a strand of the TED platform, it’s local people organising these events for their communities.”

Bronagh is working in behavioural security, and her talk in November ‘How We Are Programmed Can Shape Who We Are’ has been published on the TED YouTube channel. She said that a number of people have applied for the TEDx licence for the city over the years, but they had been rejected. Gary Doherty is the curator of TEDxDerryLondonderry, and was successful with this application after a number of attempts.

“Gary picked up the baton in 2019, and it was his goal to say I am getting this. He applied and was rejected the first time, but he didn’t give up. He went back to them and asked what he could do to strengthen the application. He kept going back. He’s a TED Circles host, so he hosts conversations every month, based on talks and whatever ‘TED said’ is the agenda for that month. He built his profile up with the TED platform, and it took him four attempts to get the actual licence,” said Bronagh.

The event was initially scheduled to take place at the end of January, but due to current restrictions it had to be pushed back.

“On the back of this licence, he also got the licence for TEDxDerryLondonderry women, and he’s in talks for Youth event as well, which would be later in the year but hasn’t been finalised yet. His vision is to cover all areas of the community, so that everyone can get involved. He is so passionate about it.”

With a diverse list of over 20 speakers, Ava Canney is one of the youngest locals who will speak at Monday’s event. Ava previously took part in the TEDxStormont event, and curator Gary heard her speak, and invited her to speak at this inaugural local event.

“Ava was invited to speak at this event, but other people went through the application process. That is why Gary was so adamant that he was going to get the licence, and he will keep doing them, because there is such a vast population of people who want to share their stories, from different backgrounds, but have messages to get across. He says this is the first, but not the last, for each of the licences he holds. Because of the success of the women event, people have been messaging looking to see how they can get their message out there. It’s giving people the confidence to come forward and say they want to share their story with the world,” added Bronagh.

Gary Doherty added:“We are delighted to be able to deliver this event. Despite all the external challenges and barriers we have improvised, adapted and overcome them to bring you the event of a lifetime.”

Hutchinson Engineering said: “We are delighted to be the headline sponsor for this event. Tedx is a global brand, it’s purpose is to create a unique gathering in this case online, that will unleash new ideas, inspire and inform. It’s hugely exciting to be involved, communication with our employees, customers and suppliers has never been more important, as a business we ‘Imagine Change’ consistently to challenge the norm and maintain our position in the marketplace. The whole team is looking forward to hearing the impressive lineup of speakers.” Sponsors include; Calmor, Allstate, Pivotal, Airporter, Alchemy, FSB, Bee Me, Tarasis and KMD Publishing.

Tickets from www.TEDxDerryLondonderry.com