From record labels reducing re-offending to housing solutions for homelessness, TEDxCardiff returns to the city with more inspiring speakers

TEDxCardiff (@TEDxCardiff), the event focused on the mission of ‘ideas worth spreading’, is returning to Cardiff on Sunday 1^st March and the first 200 tickets are up for grabs now from www.tedxcardiff.co.uk/tickets. But act fast if you want to be there – previous years have sold out in a matter of minutes!

Taking place at Cardiff University’s School of Journalism, Media and Culture, the event, partnered with The Waterloo Foundation, Cardiff University, creative partner Orchard Media, Propeller and Working Word, will see a number of inspirational speakers share their expert knowledge, hoping to spark Cardiff locals to consider how these insights could shape their city.

Founded in 1984, TED is a non-profit organisation aiming to spread inspiring ideas through a series of motivational talks, delving deep into subjects like science, business, healthcare, design and global issues. Talks have been streamed millions of times with big names like Stephen Hawking, Bill Clinton and Sheryl Sandberg taking to TED’s stage.

Speakers following in those famous footsteps at TEDxCardiff include a world leader in the innovative approach to ending homelessness, Housing First. Juha Kaakinen, is the CEO of Finland’s largest non-profit housing provider and has been behind the drive which, over the past decade, has seen rough sleeping eliminated in Finland and homelessness reduced by 35% while it has risen in every other European country.

Professor of Cognitive Neuroimaging, Gina Rippon, whose research involves state-of-the-art brain imaging techniques to investigate how the brain interacts with its world, will be joining the line-up.  Gina is an outspoken critic of the misuse of neuroscience research to misrepresent our understanding of the brain and her new book, The Gendered Brain, challenges the idea that there are male and female brains, offering a 21st century model for better understanding of how brains get to be different.

Also sharing his ideas is Judah Armani, associate lecturer and founder of InHouse Records – an award-winning record label run by and for prisoners. At each prison, Judah asks for 20 of the most difficult prisoners to work with, aiming to provide safer communities and reduce the amount of re-offending. Involvement with the scheme led to a re-offending rate of zero from the inmates and following the success of this initiative, InHouse has also been working with the London Gang Exit programme to help young people at risk of becoming involved with gangs and crime.

The audience will also hear from Director of Public Health for Wigan Council, Professor Kate Ardern. Kate has worked as a researcher and led on projects exploring alcohol and substance misuse harm reduction, including the development of a multi-agency antimicrobial resistance programme.

Another speaker sharing their ideas is Jon Alexander, co-founder of the New Citizenship Project – a strategy and innovation company supporting the shift in the dominant story of the individual in society from ‘consumer’ to ‘citizen’. Jon is also a proud winner of Brand Republic’s Big Idea of the Year Award, for creating the concept of MyFarm which handed over decision making on a real working farm to the public, as a way of engaging people with sustainable food production.

Cathy Hawley, known for her work in housing, urban form and strategic sustainable development, will also be taking to the stage to discuss her projects with local authorities on sustainable rural and urban infrastructure and housing.

TEDx are local, self-organised events that give individuals around the globe the chance to engage in dialogue and spark discussion on how they can change their city. Following the success of its previous events, the decision to revive TEDxCardiff was motivated by the team’s desire to develop a unique asset for Cardiff and create a space for positive civic conversations.

The individuals behind TEDxCardiff are hoping that the events will lead to optimistic ideas and eventually citizen-led actions, engaging local people in driving  Cardiff’s future.

TEDxCardiff organiser Richard Strudwick, said: “We’ve specifically chosen a number of influential speakers who have been involved in projects that could have a positive impact on a city like Cardiff. We’ve got a stage full of doers who want to inspire you to think, and maybe even act, differently.

“Come to the event if you’re intrigued by how things could be better in your city, if you want to spend a day with curious people and if you want to leave with a brain full of brilliant ideas.”

As well as providing lunch, tickets will give attendees access to a post-event curated conversation to meet the speakers and event VIPs, and reflect on what they’ve heard, exchanging ideas with other like-minded guests.

Keep your eyes peeled for further speaker announcements. Tickets cost £25 + booking fee and are available to purchase now through the TEDxCardiff website.

The event is taking place at School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University, Two Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1FS from 10:30AM to 4.30PM.

Purchase tickets at www.tedxcardiff.co.uk/tickets.  Follow @TEDxCardiff on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.