A big fan of TED Talks, the platform for “ideas worth sharing” online, Aloha is an IB teacher and curriculum coordinator at Concordian International School. She found a way to combine her passion for teaching and love for ideas, combining these into an independently organized event for youth.

“Just like adults, young people need inspiration, so with a team of students from Concordian International School and NIST, we brought together the students’ talents and interests in TEDxYouth @Krungthep.”

The result of this synergy was a TEDxYouth conference held at Concordian International School on March 31, 2012. Speakers were young people who were chosen because they had something to say about something they had done. Aloha explains, “TEDx speakers have something in common. They are highly aware, reflective people. They are also action oriented and have acted upon their idea.” Using this criteria, the following speakers spoke at TEDxYouth @Krungthep:

Betty Park spoke on being a “third culture kid” and how her birth culture of Korea and adopted culture of Thailand form a third culture, an integration of her identity. Fong Chearavanont and Praew Sawarin Phummarin on forming an organization to help women who have been abused. Thibaud Clement on the value of time, of how time is one of the most enriching resources that people could harness, even more valuable than money. Mymai Yuan spoke about her efforts to bring spoken word poetry alive in the city. Traveling 5 hours to get to Bangkok, Sasithorn Chaisong and Supatra Muenkan talked about their inspiring experiences through the patronage of Plookpanya. Sasithorn is an English master of ceremony at her school, and Supatra is a video deejay for her school’s television show. Tan Peneakchanasak lifted hearts as she spoke about how losing both her legs in an accident with the Singapore MRT made her stronger, strong enough to make it her goal to inspire others. Tharin Sethi passionately spoke on children who have HIV/AIDS, and how young people can lead the way for society to find acceptance for these children. Pier Nirandara spoke about how her love for reading and experiences in her childhood led her to write her own novels, and how as a young author in her teens, she has become a UNICEF representative in Thailand’s campaign to urge more Thais to read.

Two speakers canceled at the last minute, but two young people rose to the challenge and take their places. The risk takers were Daven Ross and Mercy Angela Nantongo, both students at Concordian International School. Daven spoke about his project collecting medicine for tribe people in the North of Thailand who had no access to household medicines. Mercy Angela spoke about her pursuit of an IB education which led her to leave her home in Uganda and travel to Thailand, four time zones away.

At TEDx events, the audience is just as amazing as the speakers. Some of the audience members were so inspired that they have decided to bring a similar event to where they live in Chiang Mai.

“These young people inspired this event,” says Aloha Lavina, “and I hope Thailand has more TEDx events as people grow more receptive of a conference whose main goal is just to provide inspiration from home-grown talent.

“If we want to have an inspired future, we need an inspired youth. I think TEDxYouth @Krungthep was a good place to find that inspiration.”

]]> http://www.concordian.ac.th/2012/04/student-life/tedxyouthkrungthep-2012/feed/ 0 http://www.concordian.ac.th/2012/04/student-life/tiee-fair-2011/ http://www.concordian.ac.th/2012/04/student-life/tiee-fair-2011/#comments Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:10:57 +0000 admin http://www.concordian.ac.th/?p=3344 Concordian students performing at TIEE Fair, 2011 (on April 1, 2012).

March 31, 2012

9.00 – 16.00

The Platform for IDEAS WORTH SPREADING

TEDxTouth@Krungthep is a conference for young people, run and organized by young people. Students are coming together to help bring the spirit of ideas worth sharing to their peers in Bangkok. “We want to light the fire of inspiration in our young people in Bangkok”
is often heard at the organizing meetings of TEDxYouth@Krungthep.

TEDxYouth@Krungthep is inviting young people ages 12-21 to apply to be a speaker, or to become a participant and join the conversation around inspiring ideas.

Join us by viewing our livestream at http://www.tedxyouthkrungthep.net

IMMERSION LANGUAGES CHINESE AND ENGLISH

Full session runs from Monday, June 11 – Friday, June 29, 2012.

(Registration Deadline Friday, April 12, 2012)

Thank you for considering the Concordian International School Summer Program for your child this year. By joining our program, your child can look forward to a summer of learning and excitement!

Please download the registration form below and learn more details of the program we offer this year!

• EYP: Nursery, K1, K2, K3
• PYP : G1, G2, G3, G4, G5
• MYP: G6-11

Current Concordian students will have priority until March 8, 2012. Limited seats available

Registration starts Wednesday February 29, 2012 at 6.30am.

**Biography of Howard Gardner was taken from http://www.howardgardner.com/bio/bio.html .