Theme: Simple Actions

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).

Auditorium al Duomo
Via de' Cerretani, 54/R
Florence, Toscana, 50123
Italy

Amber Herwegh Vonk

High School Student

Amber Herwegh Vonk moved to Florence in the summer of 2019, previously living in countries such as Taiwan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Thailand. With influences of difference cultures growing up, she has had a unique childhood and has intriguing family stories like no other.

Angelica Wu

High School Student

Angelica Wu is Chinese, but was born and lives in Italy. An International Baccalaureate (IB) 11th grade student at International School of Florence (ISF), she has attended ISF since 6th grade, and lived in Prato, near Florence for her entire life. She in fluent in four languages, and a perfect example of a hardworking and internationally-minded person.

Ardalan Tayebi

High School Student

Ardalan Tayebi has been a student at the International School of Florence (ISF) for almost a year. Before Italy, he lived in New Zealand and the United States. Ardalan has been able to travel all over the world and experience many different cultures. This has helped Ardalan broaden his knowledge of the world around us. He has seen examples of pollution and environmental damage all over the world due to the fashion industry and, therefore, decided to raise awareness in order to better both the wasteful fashion industry and our planet as a whole.

Deacon Kramer

Deacon

Fr. Kramer Cameron is from Nova Scotia, Canada. In 2004 he went to the seminary of the Legionaries of Christ in Connecticut, USA, where he studied Classical Humanities. In 2008 he moved to Rome for his Bachelor in Philosophy. In 2010 he moved back to Connecticut to help as an assistant to the Rector of the Seminary and in 2013 he moved to Michigan to do Youth Ministry, work at Everest Academy and help with Mission Youth, which included Missions to Haiti. In 2014 he moved back to Rome for his Licentiate in Philosophy, where he specialized in Metaphysics and wrote his thesis: "Human Freedom: Creation by Participation". He has Bachelor in Theology, with his final paper on Free Will and Grace. He moved to Florence in June of 2019, was ordained a deacon in July, and is presently the Director of the Chaplaincy of the English Speaking Community of Florence. He will be ordained a priest soon in Rome, after which he will continue as Chaplain and with youth ministry in Florence.

Katherine Dick

High School Student

Katherine Dick was born in New York City and has lived in Florence since August 2016. She is a committed water polo player who has been selected to represent Tuscany at a national level. She is also a writer for the Tuskan Times newspaper and a delegate for Model United Nations. Katherine is the oldest of three sisters from whom she drew the inspiration for her talk on teamwork.

Kornel Marton

Entrepreneur

Kornel Marton was born in Hungary and was educated in Sweden. He worked at MSEE in Computer Systems in 1985 which led to a career in technology and software at Microsoft from 1985 till 1995. He is the founder and investor in many startups since then and has been living in Italy since 1999.

Lorenzo Budroni

High School Student

Lorenzo Budroni was born in Pisa in 2003. He spent 15 years living in Istanbul until recently moving to Florence. Lorenzo is Italian and Australian. He is currently in 11th grade at the International School of Florence (ISF), where his favorite class is physics. Lorenzo also has a love for sports. He is currently the soccer goalkeeper for his Italian club team.

Omid Sheikh

High School Student

Omid Sheikh was born in Iran and has been living in Florence for about 8 years. He has been attending the International School of Florence (ISF) for 8 years and is currently in 11th grade. He is the editor in chief of the school newspaper and a track and field athlete. He chose to speak about minimalism since he realised that consumerism is complicating our lives and is one of the main causes of environmental pollution.

Selina Marton

High School Student

Selina was born and raised in Florence by Hungarian-Austrian-German-American parents along with two much older siblings. Selina is a passionate roller-skater and enthusiast about all book-related things. She is a new arrival 9th grader at the International School of Florence (ISF) who is always on the move. She is an individualist and looks forward to discovering herself at her new school, ISF.

Stamatios Baltos

Middle School Student

Stamatios Baltos is a student in 7th grade who has been at the International School Florence since 3rd grade. He is orginally from Greece and enjoys doing different sports such as water polo, soccer, and biking. He decided to give a talk about helping people with disabilities since he feels very passionate about it and cares a lot about the subject.

Tanja Kustrin

Artistic Director of the Cantabile Choir

Ms Tanja Kustrin is the Artistic director of the Cantabile Choir, who always captures the audience with her charismatic direction and inspiring repertoire. Her many successes include two significant choir awards, recordings, collaborations with important musicians and choirs on the international musical scene. She has founded and conducted children's, youth and adult's choirs, sharing her contagious enthusiasm, knowledge and energy. A firm believer in the power of music, Ms Tanja Kustrin established the ISF Cantabile Choir in September 2018 as a way to provide an opportunity for upper elementary and middle school students to further develop their singing skills and to raise the visibility on the international music scene. The Cantabile Choir made its debut performance at a gala charity dinner for the Meyer Children's Hospital at Villa Castelletti. The Choir also took part in the Festival di Primavera in Montecatini, alongside 50 others choirs from all over Italy