Ideas around how our community can work together to make Guernsey an even better place to live will be explored when the island hosts TEDxStPeterPort on 5th May at St Pierre Park Hotel.
Over the last three years, TEDxStPeterPort has asked the question ‘how do we make Guernsey the best place to live on Earth?’ This year’s theme responds to the government’s Future Guernsey plan, which launched last year and sets out a vision to make our island one of the happiest and healthiest places in the world.
The one-day event offers a programme of short, impactful talks that will inspire, educate and spark ideas around Future Guernsey’s four themes; our economy, our quality of life, our community and our place in the world.
The TEDx program is a worldwide initiative designed to help communities, organisations and individuals to ignite conversation and connections around the simple idea of ‘ideas worth spreading’. The event comprises 20 talks, with 15 live speakers and five recorded TED talks including; creating industries from scratch, the future of money, community kitchens and putting Guernsey on the map.
Sarah Bird, CEO of Timebanking UK has already been confirmed as a speaker for the event. Timebanking UK is the custodian of 'time banking' in the UK, a charity and the only membership organisation in the country that offers advice, guidance and support to time banks, public services and voluntary organisations in developing and managing community time banks.
Travelling from America, Justin Locke, Director of the Islands Energy Program at Rocky Mountain Institute-Carbon War Room in the USA, also joins the speaker panel. The program aims to accelerate the transition of island economies from a heavy dependence on fossil fuels to a diverse platform of renewables and energy efficiency while establishing a blueprint for other isolated economies.
Marc Winn, Curator of TEDxStPeterPort, said: ‘Since its launch, TEDxStPeterPort has gone from strength to strength, which is a testament to how islanders are increasingly keen to explore how they can work together to improve the community they live in and Guernsey’s position in the world.
‘Future Guernsey’s vision is to foster a country where everyone has equal opportunity to achieve their potential, which nurtures its unique heritage, respects its environment and encourages a diverse and successful economy,’ he continues. ‘TEDxStPeterPort is a crucial vehicle for enabling that vision to become a reality and we encourage everyone to play their part by joining us for this milestone event.’
The day’s programme will include refreshments served throughout the day, intervals to discuss ideas and meet like-minded people and a creche for young children where the talks can be viewed in comfort by parents wanting to attend.