What we learned at TEDxConfidence
“I’d love to change the world, but I’m only one person.” TEDxLondon
Over the weekend we supported TEDxConfidence, giving the world it’s first taste of Cina’s Mud Cake. It also gave us a chance to speak to some of the speakers about their passions, including what has motivated them, promoting diversity in creative industries, and the role of food in modern society. We’ll be putting these interviews up over the coming days.
It was a day full of emotional highs, thought provoking ideas and heart wrenching moments. Speakers had come from across UK, and some internationally, to talk to us about what confidence meant to them. Such a broad theme led to a wonderful variety of topics. We heard people tell us of their battles with mental health, of cooking under the stars in Namibia, educational reform, or how to reframe the global refugee crisis. Each, in their own way, creating a picture of what ‘confidence’ is, and how we can approach our lives.
An overarching theme was that it’s easy to feel powerless, and this can overwhelm us, yet the tools to overcome surround us. Some are technological, but many more are psychological. All it takes is some creative thinking, a bit of stubbornness and you can achieve anything.
This idea of unrelenting stubbornness being central to bringing about change was perfectly expressed by Nidi Okezi, of Teach First. She’s fought tirelessly to bring about educational equality, to give every child in the UK the same opportunity to succeed. This won’t be achieved overnight, it’ll take years to achieve, but ultimately it’s something that is worth fighting for.
This sentiment was expressed beautifully by Emily Milan Rea, who refused to accept the word “no” in her battle to improve the care for people suffering from Epidermolysis Bullosa, a group of skin conditions that causes the skin to blister and tear when touched. Just cleaning these wounds risks causing more damage, and is an infection risk. Despite being at school, Emily developed a new approach to cleaning these wounds.
Photography duo Anderson and Low have created a series of powerful images by reframing what it is they’re shooting. Their inquisitive nature was infectious, inspiring us to look at the world in new and different ways. Ravi Gurumurthy of the International Rescue Committee also captured how important it is for us to look at things differently, and to challenge our assumptions. His ethos is leading to innovative approaches to helping refugees not just survive but thrive, using everyday technology that already exists but isn’t being considered as a tool to help those most in need.
The power of human relationships, either individual or between communities, was also apparent. John Sutherland’s moving talk on forensics focussed on Locard’s principle that ‘every contact leaves a mark’. It’s value is normally seen in the field of forensic science, and yet as a principle it can and should be considered in a wider context. As we go through our lives, we leave imprints on other people, both those we know and those we don’t. Every contact we make affects our story, and the stories of others. Perhaps we should consider what sort of marks we’re leaving.
What was clear from all these talks, was the role and impact each of us has on our friends, colleagues and loved ones. Confidence and success is nothing, if not nurtured and shared.
We’ll be sharing the interviews over the coming days. In the mean time, you can follow our journey at co-created.co.uk/
