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Program

Elif Shafak speaking at TED

The world is becoming increasingly interconnected and open. Radically open -- manifesting itself in open borders, open culture, open-source, open data, open science, open world, open minds. With the loss of privacy that it implies, openness carries its own dangers. But it breeds transparency, authenticity, creativity and collaboration. At TEDGlobal 2012 we will explore the idea of Radical Openness.

All bets are off as to what openness and collaboration in an ultra-connected world will mean for human potential. Traditional top-down models of organization no longer reflect reality. Social capital and influence are becoming stronger currencies than hierarchy and formal power. New, collaborative ways of creating meaning and things are developing at fast pace. Only one thing appears certain: Secrecy is no longer bankable: impact is. The future will be built on great ideas, and for that, great ideas need to circulate freely, broadly and openly.

Those are some of the threads that will inform our work in preparing the TEDGlobal 2012 program. We will hear from those who are provoking and embracing these changes. The conference will feature about 70 speakers over four days. We will explore a deliberately eclectic mix of topics. Here a few that are in our mind:

-- the truth about talent
-- the shaping of Western and Eastern thought
-- new ways to think about and produce energy
-- new materials and design
-- the real impacts of interconnectivity
-- how to make technology more human
-- how to reshape the global system
-- the links between fear and imagination
-- the meaning of consciousness
-- new organizational model
-- cutting-edge scientific explorations
-- what we need to un-learn
-- radical thinking about conflict resolution
-- life past 100
-- new approaches to climate change
-- courageous acts

The program will be published in May 2012.

TEDGlobal will be finely woven into the city of Edinburgh, making the most of its landmarks and event spaces. Special activities will again include TED University, exclusive tours and visits, evening social events, and more. These activities will be open to registered participants only.

TEDGlobal 2012 schedule (Subject to change):

Monday, 25 June 2012
Pre-conference visits and activities
Morning: TED Fellows presentations
Afternoon: TED University (start 4pm)
Evening: Welcome reception

Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Morning: TED University (start 8:45am) and TEDGlobal Session 1 (start 11am)
Afternoon: Sessions 2 and 3 (start 2pm)
Evening: Grand opening party and after-party

Wednesday, 27 June 2012
Morning: Sessions 4 and 5
Afternoon: Session 6 and 7
Evening: Dine Out

Thursday, 28 June 2012
Morning: Session 8
Afternoon: Session 9 and 10
Evening: Grand party

Friday, 30 June 2012
Morning: Sessions 11 and 12 (end of conference: 12:45pm)
Afternoon: Farewell party

 

The TEDGlobal experience will include:

  • A fast-paced, highly curated four-day stage program featuring TED's famous 18-minute talks, plus music, comedy, tech demos, short talks, video interludes and other surprises
  • TED University: The hugely popular, pre-conference sessions (Monday, June 25, and Tuesday, June 26) where attendees share their areas of expertise.
  • Optional pre-conference activities (Monday, June 25), including carefully curated TED-only tours in and around Edinburgh
  • Immersive evening events at Edinburgh's most intriguing spots
  • Art exhibits, tech demos, and other experiences
  • Intense conversation breaks, where attendees and speakers delve into the ideas introduced on stage
  • Thoughtfully designed simulcast spaces where you can watch the conference in an informal setting
  • The famous TED Gift Bag
  • Online tools for connecting with other attendees, before and after the conference