Theme: Generation Y

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Paulinerkirche
Am Papendiek 14
Göttingen, Niedersachsen, 37073
Germany

Adolph van der Walt

PhD Religous Studies

A lover of language and music, van der Walt hopes to challenge audiences’ mindsets on how they look at conflict and offers methods to the sustainment peace and unity in our multi-racial, multi- lingual present world . Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, van der Walt grew up in a time just after apartheid ended and experienced the small but lingering sentiment of racial separation and societal conflicts. Influenced by his mother, van der Walt also started playing a wide range of musical instruments when he was young and developed a passion of music and a dream to become a classical musician. However, in his youth, van der Walt pursued another interest instead and completed his Bachelor and Master in Theology. Currently doing his Phd in religious studies, van der Walt combines the rhetoric and argumentative skills from his academic field with his interest of language to break down stereotypes and promote cooperation among people..

Bashar Byadsi

Game developer and B.Sc student

For many people the first childhood memory is tasting ice cream or spelling a word, but for Bashar it was when he touched a computer for the first time. Before he turned four, Bashar’s parents purchased a computer for the family and he remembers fidgeting with it and even playing an illegal version of Mario Brothers on that computer. At the age of just 12, he began coding and manipulating game mods just for fun. Now he is a budding entrepreneur in the gaming industry and hopes to finish his Bachelor in Computer Science at TU Munich in the foreseeable future. “I am lucky to discover my passion for both computers and gaming at such a young age and I am very fortunate to utilise these passions in both professional and academic areas of my life. Rather than seeing only the technical and mathematical aspects of video games, I hope to present their beauty through interaction and emotion”

Eugénie Mérieau

Singer, Songwriter and Postdoc Researcher

Born in France, Eugénie has travelled the globe extensively, studying and working in many countries such as New Zealand and Thailand. After attaining her masters in political science and law, she worked in Bangkok, Thailand for the UN and the Thai Parliament over the course of 8 years. Proficient in Thai and English, Eugénie also appeared on TV shows in Thailand discussing politics and advocating gender empowerment with a balanced tone of education and entertainment. Shortly after, Eugénie completed her Phd in political science and accepted a position as a Postdoc researcher here in Göttingen. In her spare time, Eugénie composes her own music and performs with her guitar at Nörgelbuff. In her talk, Eugénie hopes to utilise her love for critical thinking and philosophy as well as her political acumen to invoke a meaningful conversation regarding conspiracy theories and how we should approach them.

Louisa Lorenz

Feminist and MA student

Creator of her own workshop, which she holds in many German cities on her tours, Louisa delivers a thought-provoking talk about the importance of sexual education. Based in Berlin, Louisa attended 3 years of drama school and during that time, travelled to other metropoles such as New York and London. Theatre enabled her to connect with herself and others, as well as discovering her emotions. Additionally, while doing her bachelor in English, Louisa experienced epiphany-like moments of how language and gender intertwined to challenge her identity and place in society. Inspired by a conceptual artist, Sophia Wallace, Louisa developed her own workshop with the intent of sharing her personal journey of discovery and educating young adults on gender and sex.