Theme: Our Voices Within

We all have different beliefs, ideas, opinions and stories to tell. Some are shared, yet some are untold and kept hidden inside us.

As a community, do you really know one another?

We have so many things we can learn from each other, but a lot of times, we can be so focused on our goals and end up being inside our own bubble, forgetting that the greatest lessons can be cultivated through interactions with people around us.

Through the theme "Our Voices Within", we want to encourage our audience to share and to listen; to inspire and get inspired; to think and to challenge themselves.

TEDxIUHWNarita aims to give the audience a platform to express themselves, share stories while at the same time get to know the people that are in our diverse community. Everyone has a voice to share, so why don't we all, as a community, put everything aside for a moment, and listen closely to the voices that exist within all of us.

International University of Health and Welfare, Narita Campus
Chiba Prefecture, Narita City, Kozunomori 4-3
Narita City, Tôkyô, 286-0048
Japan

Akio Kawamura

Cardiologist

What defines a patient-doctor relationship? How is it influenced by one’s environment, or the time that we find ourselves in? Boundaries of confidentiality, intimacy and openness are often blurred in this unique partnership between client and professional, which begs the question of how best to go about this interaction, and its reaffirmed importance in today’s technology driven world. “Medical professionalism is under threat in our litigious society”, reflects Aiko Kawamura, the chairman of the International University of School and Welfare and a professor of cardiology, who explores in his talk how the concept of the patient-doctor relationship can best be improved in modern society.

Cosmin Florescu

Linguist

In a fast paced world where we are seemingly always preoccupied, when and where do we have the time to heed the words of our inner voice? While taking a shower, or during our daily commutes, what would that voice say? For linguist Cosmin Florescu, tuning into not only one, but three voices is a daily reality, embodying an Eastern European child, Australian bloke, and Japanese oyaji (old man). While living with multiple personality disorder may seem like an impairment, it may be seen instead as an asset in contemplating, interpreting and conveying meaning to people of various cultural backgrounds. It is this epiphany that convinced Cosmin to take the life of an educator, helping others to tread the ki-merging path (aikido) of embracing one’s voices within, sharing in his talk an endeavor to suffuse the world with new meaning.

Dang Thanh Huy

Medical Student

The human has always thrived as a social species since the dawn of society, however in today’s intricate and widely interconnected world, cooperation and communication are more pivotal than ever in achieving shared prosperity. Yet with this in mind, it is worth reflecting on what the human relationship constitutes, and what the key components are to a successful team? How do our connections with others influence the relationship with the self? Fourth year international medical student in Japan Dang Thanh Huy, explores these entangled questions from the experience of a seemingly unassuming group study, which entailed a life-changing experience.

Emi Mitsume

Medical Student

Self esteem and worth are key pillars of our identity, shaped by our youth, and those we choose to share our lives with through the highs and lows in the journey of growth. “There are people who agree and disagree with you, however you live your life”, recalls second year medical student Emi Mitsume, who through her journeys in the development and loss of interpersonal connections from high school to college, concludes that one should value his or herself no matter the circumstances. In her talk, words of encouragement to stay true to one’s inner voice are shared and held paramount.

Ryuta Nakamura

Medical Student

What does being a “great” person entail? What role does failure play in our quest for perfection, and is it a sign of strength or foreshadowing of continued decline? These are questions pondered by fourth year medical student Ryuta Nakamura, whose own journey through the years of letting go of passion and bouncing back from unsuccessful academic pursuits has culminated in a keen appreciation that the value of listening to one’s “inner voice” plays in the eventual journey back to their ideal path. In his talk, Ryuta shares his earnest experience, and its application beyond the role of a medical student in pursuing our dreams.

Yoshino Tanaka

Medical Student

Large or small, realistic or fantastical, we all hold on to our dearest aspirations. Close your eyes and imagine your wildest dreams such as these becoming reality after a long while of keen anticipation. That sensation is unmatched, unparallel and perhaps even magical. This is a familiar feeling to third year medical student and dreamer Yoshino Tanaka, who shares in her talk the simple, and amazingly effective steps to take in visualizing and cherishing your dearest fantasies before it comes time to “kick the bucket”.