Another year has come and almost gone. One in which two very successful large events took place, as well as several Salons and more recently the Storytelling and Cinema events. And 2016 looks set to be another year packed with exciting events too.
Until then, however, it is time to relax, celebrate and enjoy the company of friends and family. At TEDxDelft we would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
See you all in 2016!
On a dark December evening, people gathered at the Rietveld theater for an evening of storytelling. An evening of stories of the darkest night.
The darkest night can be interpreted in many ways, says Ogutu Muraya, the evening’s storyteller. For writer Edgar Allen Poe it was his canvas, allowing him to paint stories. It has been a source of inspiration ever since mankind learned how to create fire, and gather around it on cold winter evenings to tell stories: tales of the dangers that lurk outside, starting out small but then turning into legends.
Yet it is also a binary way of looking at things, black and white, light and dark. So what if it could be more complex. What if it could be a box of mysteries? The darkest night can mean anything to anyone, and with today’s technology people have a plethora of ways to express them. Its definition has changed throughout the centuries, from the dangers outdoors to something more demonic, or about mourning. But then in some cultures, remembering the dead is a celebration.
The darkest night has always fascinated and inspired storytellers. The stories may have evolved throughout the ages, but in general, they are associated with fear, the absence of light. But rather than be scared of it, embrace it, and tell it. Make the darkest night shine bright.
And with this even,t the year 2015 comes to a close for TEDxDelft. Fortunately, the events will keep on coming in 2016, with the first one taking place on 21 January 2016. We hope to see you all then for the next Cinema event.
It is with great sadness that we at TEDxDelft have learnt of the passing of Karin van Paassen on Thursday 10 December 2015. Van Paassen, through her company Image & Styling, was one of the sponsors of TEDxDelft Women.
Van Paassen was well known for her work as a styling consultant to both individuals and companies. Her goal was to help people make the right impression on their audience, by tailoring their wardrobe to match. Van Paassen completed several trainings and master classes before opening up her own clothing shop. After several years of combining her work at the store with consultancy, she eventually decided to dedicate her time fully to assisting people in finding their style and image.
Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Karin van Paassen.
On Thursday 17 December TEDxDelft will host its second Storytelling event, starting at 20:00 at the Rietveld Theater. The theme for this evening will be “The Darkest Night”. Feel free to join us for an evening filled with interesting stories and TED videos.
The event will be held in English and admission is free. Spread the word, tell friends and family, and come join us on 17 December!
Special thanks to:
Behind every great project manager stands a great assistant, ready to help in whichever way needed. This year Anne Jacobs, architecture student at TU Delft, stands at the ready to support and provide back-up. It is a function she thus far relishes.
As personal assistant to the project manager, the demands of the job can change at a moment’s notice. “I perform all sorts of roles at the same time,” Jacobs says. “If you need checklists, questionnaires or just about anything else, I can do it.” It is a position and a platform she feels will yield valuable experience in return as well. Indeed the variety of the tasks given to Jacobs is what drives her to do the utmost for the organisation.
Signing up for TEDxDelft was an easy decision for Jacobs when asked to join. “I find the concept of TEDx very inspiring,” she explains. Though new to the organisation she has plenty of enthusiasm for the platform, as shown by her interest in watching TEDx videos. In addition, taking part in the organization will present her the chance to meet and work with new people. Given her motivation for the platform, there can be no doubt Jacobs will do her part to ensure the focus lies firmly on organising great events.
How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?
Just a few months.
Who is your favourite speaker from a previous TEDxDelft conference and why?
Because I am new to the team and have not attended many TEDxDelft events yet, I cannot really decide. I know there will be many more good speakers to come, so I cannot base my answer on just the few of speakers I heard so far. But those I have heard were very good!
Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or fictional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft who would it be and why?
I think I would like to hear from a famous fashion designer, because this job sounds very interesting to me. Or say, something more exciting like a mafia boss.
Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?
So many, like beer, going to festivals and concerts, discovering new music, listening to TEDx talks, reading, writing.
If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?
I think I would probably give a talk about something that has to do with architecture as I am studying architecture at the TU Delft. Or maybe something more personal, about expectations or about prejudices.
Every event has to be carefully planned and executed to make it a success and keep up the standard that TEDxDelft stands for. Especially with the introduction of the cinema and storytelling events. Fortunately our Events coordinator Anika Duut van Goor, study advisor, is more than capable of ensuring the smooth operation of these events.
TEDxDelft has more on its plate than just the traditional TEDx talks, ranging from the new storytelling and cinema to salon events. Given the variety, good organization becomes key. Duut van Goor coordinates the storytelling and cinema events, juggling multiple projects at the same time. She joined the TEDxDelft team a few months back, and her excellent communication and planning skills are an asset to her role, ensuring the events proceed smoothly. Her previous experience as coordinator in other organizations has prepared her well to take on all the challenges that TEDxDelft has to offer.
Duut van Goor feels strongly about the TEDx goal of spreading worthwhile ideas. Indeed when asked to join the TEDxDelft team, it did not take long for her to reply. “What motivates me to work [for TEDxDelft] are the wonderful people and the importance of sharing and communicating,” she explained. Though the demands of organizing the various events differ, Duut van Goor has the flair for turning the storytelling and cinema events into hugely successful TEDxDelft endeavours.
How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?
For about four months now.
Who is your favorite speaker from a previous TEDxDelft conference and why?
That is actually a very recent one! Sarah Kay. She was delightful and moving at the same time. Nothing fake, simply dreaming within reality, speaking out what most of us cannot (especially not in the poetic way she does). I seriously want to be her best friend!
Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or fictional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft who would it be and why?
Originally I was going to mention Tesla or something. But now I want to hear that 18 year old girl, Hanna, who told off her father over WhatsApp about the Paris attacks and caring for everyone. If only people like her were world leaders.
Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?
Well, I am really not that secretive. I very openly like to sing, tap dance, act, do puzzles, play The Sims, play tennis, play piano, watch romantic comedies or dystopian movies, and listen constantly to 90s boy bands. I do tend to keep it a secret what I love most about my work … recording data in SPSS … there, I said it!
If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?
Right now I would talk about the pressure on achievements and performance in society, and how it distracts you from actually living. If I may quote my friend Rachel on this: “We are human beings, not human doings.”
Communicating with the audience is a key activity for TEDxDelft.. Meet Ailie Conor, the TEDxDelft Communications Manager for social media, who oversees all of the content that goes on the social media accounts for TEDxDelft.
“I have always enjoyed TED talks, and TEDxDelft is one of the more accessible TEDx events around, which piqued my interest – and it seemed like a great way to hear some cool ideas, and meet even cooler people!” Conor explained, when asked why she initially joined the team. And it’s a great thing that she did, because of her extensive background in journalism and creative writing, Conor made an excellent addition to the team. She moved up quickly from assisting as a social media volunteer at the main event, to taking over all of the TEDxDelft social media, which entails planning the content throughout the year, and live-posting during the events.
A lot of patience and coordination is required to fulfil this role. If you go to any TEDxDelft event, you will be sure to see Conor glued to her computer keeping the TEDxDelft audience tuned in to everything they need to know about the event that day. It is a lot of work and certainly a challenge, but count on Conor to keep her cool and deliver every single time.
How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?
Not that long, only around 8 months.
You worked as a volunteer for the social media during TEDxDelft 2015 and TEDxDelft Women. Who is your favorite speaker from a previous TEDxDelft conference and why?
From TEDxDelft Women, I really enjoyed the talk by Dr. Sheetal Shah, about ‘Education in the Real World’. It’s so important to contextualise learning, and to teach students that there is no singular human experience.
Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or fictional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft who would it be and why?
I was reading the other day about Ching Shih, a woman in Qing China who was also a formidable pirate – she was a badass and I am pretty sure she would have some ideas worth spreading.
Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?
I love gaming, board games and video games. Me and a group of friends play D&D on the regs.
If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?
If I had to give one, it would probably be ‘It’s okay to be angry’. Being angry about certain things doesn’t make you irrational, or delegitimise what you have to say – although I think this is a message we give out as a society.
TEDxDelft is more than just a one-day event, with various events taking place throughout the year. The blog is a great place to come and read about what is going on with TEDxDelft. Because this is such an important aspect of the TEDxDelft brand, Pierre Mathieu, Communications Manager for the blog, takes his job very seriously and ensures our audience is always informed.
About this time last year, he started as a blogger with the TEDxDelft team, and now he oversees the entire blog. “The blog’s main aims are to create awareness for our events, present the speakers and the TEDxDelft organisation,” Mathieu explains. As the blog coordinator, he manages a tight schedule of planning, assigning and even writing the blog posts for the TEDxDelft website. But the work alone isn’t what keeps Mathieu so excited about his new role. “The team I worked with was great and the talks were very interesting, so I was eager to continue working with the organisation as a blogger.”
Having signed on initially to improve his writing skills, it’s safe to say he has definitely done that and more. This blog seamlessly delivers all TEDxDelft news because of the hard work Mathieu puts into it. The 2015-2016 TEDxDelft season will be a busy one, but you can be sure that he will keep the posts coming and the audience continuously informed.
How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?
I started January 2015.
Who is your favourite speaker from a previous TEDxDelft conference and why?
I would have to go with Mileha Soneji, and her talk on how empathy can be the key to innovation. The thing that struck me most about her talk was how a seemingly simple idea could greatly help people with Parkinson’s disease in their everyday lives.
Theoretically, if you could choose any one person, historical or fictional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft who would it be and why?
Ayrton Senna, the former Formula 1 driver. Not for his achievements, but for his outlook on life. He had strong convictions, did a lot for impoverished children in Brazil, and would talk about racing as a means to learn more about himself. I think he would have some very interesting insights.
Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?
I like to write fiction, to create new worlds filled with interesting characters and stories.
If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?
I have no idea.
On Thursday 19 November people gathered at the Rietveld Theater to participate in the first TEDxDelft Cinema event. Visitors were warmly greeted by Rachel Richardson, Engagement Coordinator for TEDxDelft, who introduced the evening’s topic of Public Speaking.
This topic was chosen by Caryn ’t Hart de Wijckerslooth, Head Curator, who joined her on stage. She chose this theme because as a communications lecturer she deals with this topic regularly. “[It] is something we all have to do, but fear the most.” But speaking one’s mind is something that everyone should be able to do. Especially since it’s a great way to convey ideas. Something which was illustrated by her first pick for a TEDx talk: Nancy Duarte’s “The secret structure of great talks.”
According to ’t Hart there are a few important elements to keep in mind. A lot of emphasis is put on body language, with studies claiming that 55{95388bbb2e9df0f2b3d26445fc24fe82185b1b567dbb094bc3a45074083d0a2b} or more of a message is conveyed by it. ’t Hart is not quite as certain, however. “You can use your body language wisely, but do not overanalyse it.” She does not think its value can really be quantified, rather it depends on the person. “Do what works well for you,” is her advice.
Public speaking can be a scary thing, and ’t Hart admits even she can still get a bit nervous before starting a presentation. But what is important is to keep going nevertheless. “Do not fight the anxiety, do not worry about errors, just get on with the talk,” she says. You can convey an important message, a powerful message, and everyone deserves to share theirs. “If all people had a chance to tell their story, the world would be a better place.”
Coordinating various activities for an event involves a lot of organizational skills and Lidwien Post is no stranger to the nitty gritty of organizing a TEDx event. The position of Volunteer Coordinator should therefore suit Post, who works both as a Presentation Coordinator and civil servant, very well.
As coordinator, Post manages the volunteer team and ensures that all the activities for a TEDx event run smoothly and without any glitches. An event such as TEDxDelft requires a team of dedicated volunteers for its various enterprises and activities. And coordinating them requires management and organizational skills, which Post should have in abundance, given her experience working as a Presentation Coordinator at the Rietveld Theater.
Post heard about TEDxDelft when she met Molly Quell, project manager, while preparations were ongoing at the theater for last year’s TEDxDelft Women. During the summer she was asked to join the organisation, a question she did not need long to think about. “It was great to contribute to the TEDxDellft Women event and when Molly Quell asked if I wanted to join TEDxDelft, I immediately said yes,” she said. Given her previous experience coordinating events, there is no doubt Post is ready to take on the challenges of helping coordinate a TEDx event and make it a huge success.
How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?
It is now just a few months.
Who is your favourite speaker from a previous TEDxDelft conference and why?
I must admit, I have not watched any of them.
Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or fictional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft who would it be and why?
In preparation to this interview I watched Tedx Talk Amsterdam. I really was under the impression of the talk of Michaele DePrince but also of George Vaillant. Very impressive life changing stories and a way to think about how to become or help somebody to become a loving personality.
Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?
Yoga, making pastries and working in the garden. But that is not a secret. Spending time with friends and family. Being loved and giving love.
If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?
Gee, that is a difficult one. I think I will pass this one. Oh no. “Take care of yourself!” If you can embrace who you are with all your quirks, people will love you and you will love them back for it!
For any TEDxDelft event the speakers are the main component, so ensuring their needs are taken care of is a key priority. This year it falls to our Speaker Liaison, Sylvia Walsarie Wolff, Project Manager Educational and Student Affairs, to ensure the speakers are looked after.
“I take care of all practical and organisational issues the speakers might have,” Walsarie explains. Whereas the Speaker Coaches help prepare the talks, they might also have other requests or queries. In these cases Walsarie is there to assist, making sure that the speakers have nothing to worry about and can focus on delivering their talks as best as they can. It is a role she is already very familiar with, having served the same function during the previous event, which she clearly relishes. “[It] is the best job of the team,” she says.
Working for TEDxDelft is something that already motivates Walsarie in and of itself. “The people, the atmosphere, doing something completely different, stepping out of my comfort zone,” she replies when asked why she joined the organisation. Given the demands of the role, there can be no doubt that the position of Speaker Liaison will be every bit as inspiring to her. With Walsarie looking after the speakers, all they will have to do is focus on giving the talks of their lives.
How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?
I coordinated the entrance & wardrobe volunteers team in 2013, and was asked as Speaker Liaison for the February 2015 event.
Who is your favourite speaker from a previous TEDxDelft conference and why?
I was most surprised by Shou-En Zhu. He fell asleep backstage and I had to wake him up half an hour before his talk. He managed to entertain the audience with ‘Getting to grips with graphene.’
Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or fictional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft who would it be and why?
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, because I think she is a beautiful and strong woman who managed to pick up a life after losing her unfaithful husband in the most horrible way.
Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?
I dream of having a vintage fashion hangout where I serve jasmine tea and homemade Indonesian snacks.
If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?
I could never give a TEDx talk.
Behind every successful TED talk, there is a coach who makes sure that the speaker is at his or her absolute best on D-day. For TEDxDelft, that person is the Head Coach for speakers Jonathan Talbott. In this role, Talbott, founder of Talbott International Presentations, will be the architect behind many of its mind blowing talks.
Talbott joined the organisation in November 2014 and has since helped prepare many talks for a variety of TEDxDelft events organised during the past year. Given his background, Talbott seems like a good fit for his current role, helping people bring out their message as best as possible. “I want to be sure that, if someone has an idea worth spreading, it gets spread.” Talbott explains, when asked how he identifies himself with TED. As the head coach, he organizes his team of ten speaker coaches and together, they support the speakers as they develop, rehearse and intensify their TEDx talks.
It is no surprise then that the reason Talbott got involved with TEDxDelft was the quality of the talks. “TEDx talks are the gold standard for presentations.” he explains. It will be up to Talbott and his team to ensure that the speakers for this season’s events will make as big an impact as possible on stage. Which is no mean feat, given the limited amount of time the speakers have to present their idea. But with someone who is as engaged with the platform as Talbott is, count on him to uphold those gold standards for yet another season.
How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?
I joined TEDxDelft in November 2014 and have worked with speakers at the 2015 main event, as well as for TEDxDelft Women, and all of last year’s Salons.
Who is your favourite speaker from a previous TEDxDelft conference and why?
That’s like making me choose between my children! I watched these talks get born, take their first steps and then go out into the world. But I can think of 4 speakers from TEDxDelft stages in the last year, who blew me away with great ideas and gave extraordinary presentations:
Dorothy Grandia (TEDxDelft Women) who went from the personal to the global while convincing us that “we have confident leaders, we need competent ones.”
Mileha Soneji (TEDxDelft 2015) who showed us what a “smarter world with simple solutions” could look like.
Sofia Teixeira de Freitas. (TEDxDelft Salon, October 2015) used examples about building better airplanes, but really told us about why changing to sustainable materials is difficult. It was an emotional scientific talk.
Simone Filipini (TEDxDelft Women) started off with “The world’s on fire and I’m pissed off!” and went on to encourage us to demand accountability from world leaders. Watch it and you’ll be on your feet, rushing to the barricades.
Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or fictional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft who would it be and why?
I think that Albus Dumbledore would give a pretty interesting talk about inter-community relations. Cordelia, the youngest daughter of King Lear, would be able to tell us a thing or two about the complexity of human relations, as well.
Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?
Well, there is the great big dome-shaped clay bread oven that I spent the last two summers building in Canada. And the renaissance and baroque violin career.
If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?
That’s a secret!
On Thursday November 19 at 19:00 TEDxDelft will host its first ever cinema event at the Rietveld Theater. The theme for the event will be public speaking. Come join us for an evening of inspiring TED videos, a good movie, and an audience with interesting thoughts to share on the evening’s topic.
The event will be held in English, and admission is free. Spread the word, invite your friends and family, and we will see you on November 19!
Special thanks to:
As the TEDxDelft platform grows with more events than ever before, finding and maintaining good relationships with its partners becomes even more important. As Partner Lead, Rienske Gielesen, owner of a communications consultancy, is charged with ensuring that the organisation finds and maintains these relationships.
“TEDxDelft has some great founding partners who have been responsible for the existence of this platform for over five years,” Gielesen explains. From the storytelling events to the salons and of course the main event, partners make a valuable contribution. Gielesen’s task is to find new partners and maintain the current partners, in order to secure funds and other in-kind benefits. In return she also shows how the partners can gain from TEDxDelft through exposure of their brand. It it this mutually beneficial relationship she is building with current and future partners.
It is the inspiring nature of TED and TEDx talks that convinced Gielesen to become a part of the TEDxDelft organisation. “My drive is to meet people outside of their ‘work-comfort zone’ and help them connect to it in another way,” she explains. The talks are a source of inspiration to her, which show how to make a difference. Leave it to Gielesen then to show TEDxDelft’s partners how their contribution will benefit everyone. “It is a privilege to be a part of this.”
How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?
Since TEDxDelft Women, May 2015.
Who is your favourite speaker from a previous TEDxDelft conference and why?
Marije Nie’s “One Million Steps,” a tap dancing adventure at TEDxDelft 2013. I loved her energy and the inspiring thought of being aware of the power of silence and use this to dance and create your next adventures. What she did in Gezi park, next to the Taksim square during the Arab Spring, amazing!
Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or ficional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft who would it be and why?
Salvador Dali. I would love to get a glimpse of what was going on in his mind. I guess a TED talk about “creating new reality” would suit him very well.
Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?
My secret is that my work became my hobby. Besides that, I write and draw poems of the soul, for people who dare to meet their own essence. And of course spending family time with my husband and two lovely daughters.
If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?
Last year, the engine cover opened up while driving on the highway, blocking my view. When I was standing safely on the side of the road, I heard this music on the radio, which I had selected for my funeral. This strange moment reminded me of the fact that life is not a dress rehearsal, there is only the here and now. My talk would be about that: Embrace your doubts, pains and awkward moments, they are just an illusion. If life hurts say “thank you” and after that continue laughing, shining, and dancing your life because that is the only thing that life really is about.
On Sunday 25 October the first TEDxDelft Salon of the new season was held in a packed theater. Close to 100 people visited the event to hear about climate change and three inspiring talks.
Many factors contribute to the planet’s ecological system. Evaporation can have a significant impact on the availability of food, which makes it that much more important for research to continue being conducted on this process. The application of glue to the construction of airplanes can benefit the environment substantially. Another common material, cardboard, also has the potential to be used in ways which could greatly reduce waste. By changing perceptions,new ideas arise, all of which could have a positive impact on the environment.
A big thank you to everyone who participated at the event. Hopefully the ideas which were presented will provide food for thought and inspiration.
On Thursday November 19 we will be organizing our next event, a brand new type of event: TEDxDelft Cinema. We hope to see you all there!
“Has anyone ever been to a festival, to a campsite, and noticed all the mess left behind after it has finished?” asks Wout Kommer, student at TU Delft and co-founder of KarTent. The solution to the waste left behind, he says, is cardboard.
“In the Netherlands one out of every four people leave their rubbish behind when they leave a festival,” Kommer explains. For the organizers this poses huge problems, having to clean up the waste being left behind. “Can we create a tent that is dry, reliable and recyclable?” The answer, he says, is cardboard.
Cardboard as a material meets all of these criteria. After several trials and tests, a cardboard tent which could withstand downpours was ready for use at festivals. Convincing the festival organizers and visitors proved a challenge, but slowly they are starting to come around.
Cardboard might seem like an unlikely material, but these tents show its potential, argues Kommer, and how materials in the broader sense can contribute to the environment. “Look beyond the common application of a material, look for a new meaning and a new way to apply it.”
“Aircraft structures can almost resemble Swiss cheese,” says Sofia Teixeira de Freitas. Whilst this doesn’t bode well for safety in an aircraft, her solution is potentially more confronting.
Air traffic accounts for 15 percent of all CO2 emissions from all transit sources. Fuel burned by aircraft has a huge environmental impact, but how to decrease this? The best way, according to Teixeira de Freitas, is to make aircraft lighter and thus more sustainable.
Airplanes are made up of numerous small pieces, which are assembled using rivets. “What people do not realise when you are drilling a hole in the structure, or your bed frame, is that you are introducing a weak point.” We compensate these weak points by making a plane thicker, making the aircraft heavier, expending more fuel and thus energy. How to negate this? It is simple: with glue.
It may seem tough to get travelers comfortable with flying in an aircraft that is literally glued together, however Teixeira de Freitas believes the benefits will outweigh the doubts. “Don’t be afraid of changes – you might lose something good, but you will probably end up gaining something even better.”
“What do you do on a hot summer’s day?” Miriam Coenders, Assistant Professor at TU Delft, asks. “Measure evaporation, of course.” Evaporation, she argues, is a crucial part of the ecosystem about which a lot is still left to learn.
“Most evaporation does not take place where oceans are, but on land,” Coenders says. Evaporation is a difficult and complex process to investigate, yet it can have important consequences. Wet surfaces where crops grow lose water through evaporation, which can lead to loss of those crops.
It is important to learn as much as possible about evaporation. “Evaporation is our source of water, not the springs in the mountains,” she explains. By employing new techniques, new data is being accumulated about this vital process of the Earth’s ecological system. Data which will hopefully help protect people against floods one day, and ensure food security for everyone.
” TEDxDelft is the epitome of giving people a voice,” says Kauan von Novack, TEDxDelft’s new Marketing Manager. The decision to join TEDxDelft was therefore an easy one for von Novack, a founding partner of a marketing and advertising agency. “Giving people voices is my passion.”
As the Marketing manager, von Novack is charged with all TEDxDelft communications, such as social media and blog. “My mission is to bring structure and data to TEDxDelft and enhance the experience of the attendants,” he explains. With every new season the organisation works to bring the experience to the next level. For von Novack one of the ways to achieve this will be by making better use of data analysis to improve communication to the public. Doing this is an important part in ensuring the annual goals will be achieved.
Given his background and motivation throughout his career, von Novack is the perfect fit to take charge of the marketing for this new season. With the annual goals firmly in his sights, it is certain he will make sure that the TEDxDelft voice will be heard loud and clear.
How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?
Since three months ago.
Who is your favourite speaker from a previous TEDxDelft conference and why?
Boyan Slat and how the oceans can clean themselves. So inspiring, so visionary. One of the best, ever.
Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or fictional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft who would it be and why?
Oscar Wilde would be a fabulous speaker. I think his aesthetic views, presence and boldness would still shock and amaze the world.
Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?
I run 20 km three times a week and like to read at least one book per week.
If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?
On how to be successful by being creative. I even wrote a book about that, and translating the business vision into creative lenses is one of my passions.
Each summer people flock to music festivals to hear their favorite artists, pitching their tents at nearby camping sites. Wout Kommer, co-founder of KarTent and student, noticed that visitors seemed not to care about their possessions as much once the festival was over. He thinks it is time for people to start caring, and has thought of a way.
Kommer was born and raised in the city of Delft. After graduating from high school he enrolled at TU Delft, where he chose to study Industrial Design Engineering. A true outdoorsman, he has climbed the Alps and organized both a rowing competition and a festival. In addition, together with two friends, Kommer co-founded a new startup aimed at improving the ecological sustainability of festivals. Starting this company has brought him new experiences and insights he is eager to share.
“We noticed that every year festival camping sites have to deal with huge amounts of waste, caused by people who leave their tents behind,” Kommer explains. People appear not to care so much for their possessions, and in addition leaves others the task of having to clean it up. Kommer hopes to change the way people think about their property, which in turn should help the environment. This was precisely the reason why Kommer decided to start up his company one year ago.
“It is important to show how I think better behaviour can be achieved in a fun way, by creating awareness without necessarily pointing out to people what they are doing wrong,” he says. It is an idea Kommer is eager to share on the TEDxDelft salon stage. By sharing his findings, he hopes that people will start rethinking what they own and how it affects the environment.
If you are curious to hear how to help make festivals more ecologically friendly, come join us at the upcoming TEDxDelft salon on Sunday 25 October at 15:00, at Theater de Veste.
It is a cold and wet October evening in Delft, a typical autumn evening some might say. The clock strikes eight ‘o clock in the evening and a large crowd has gathered in the reception hall. They are excited, yet unsure of what to expect. Like a present still wrapped that you cannot wait to open.
The doors open and people move into the theatre. As people take to their seats they notice a red rug centre stage, surrounded by carpets adorned with neatly arranged pillows on top. A man steps forward, his black hair neatly combed to one one side, a red and brown checked shirt and black trousers. “My name is Sahand Sahebdivani,” he announces himself. “And I am a storyteller.”
He starts to talk, in hushed whispers and loud tones. About his father, his younger brother, about growing up and the importance of stories. “Storytelling is not like cinema,” he says. The audience falls silent as they hang onto every word and gesture. With a story there is action and reaction, he explains, as the audience gets pulled into his story even more. It is as much about the audience as it is about the storyteller. He talks of fellow storytellers, how he admires them for their inspiration, their way of storytelling. How his childhood inspires him to tell stories and how he tells stories about his childhood.
The present had surprised some, and others got exactly what they wanted. The evening’s events have been inspiring, for some personally, for others in a professional sense. “It is nice to hear in the social media age this way of conveying a message still holds value,” a member of the audience says.
To be continued.
Storytelling is inspiration, is realisation, is engagement. Leading your listener to a world of sounds, colours and emotions.
Curiosity is a part of the process, to have people willing to listen to what you have to say, that’s why the atmosphere in the Rietveld Theatre was so interesting, as if everyone was standing on the edge of their seats.
According to Bruno and Sjors, TU Delft students, the biggest expectations is to hear inspiring talks about life and they were looking forward to learn on how can someone engage people with their stories.
“Would you prefer to to fly in an aircraft which was glued together, or in one that was bolted together?” Sofia Teixeira de Freitas, Assistant Professor at TU Delft, asks. She is convinced that adhesive bonding will make travel by air both cheaper and greener, and just as safe as planes made with nuts and bolts.
Teixeira studied at the Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, Portugal, where she received a master’s degree in Civil Engineering. She then attended TU Delft where she earned her PhD in the same field. It was during this period that she became interested in joining solutions, which she would continue to work on while focussing on the aircraft industry. Teixeira has since been awarded a young talent innovation award by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, as well as a Delft Technology Fellowship.
“Adhesive bonding has been used for several years instead of, or together with, rivets in conventional metal aircraft,” she explains. The same methods used for planes made from metal have been used for composite aircraft. Teixeira is convinced that improvements can be made to the construction process, with new ways for designing the joints to be used in conjunction with glue, without hampering performance. Which in turn will lead to benefits for everyone. “Glue can be the key for making air traffic cheaper and greener.”
It is an idea that Teixeira is eager to share at the upcoming salon. Though people might not have as much trust in glue as they do in riveting, Teixeira is convinced that the benefits of this construction method will help change people’s minds.
If you are interested in hearing more about why glue is better than rivets, come join us and listen to Teixeira’s talk during the next TEDxDelft salon at Theater de Veste on Sunday October 25 at 15:00.
Rainfall has always been an important part of the planet’s ecological system, by dropping fresh water and acting as natural irrigation for agriculture. Thus far not much attention, however, has been paid to evaporation. Miriam Coenders, Assistant Professor at the Hydrology group of TU Delft, is convinced we should.
Hydrology is a field that has interested Coenders ever since she finished high school. She enrolled at TU Delft, where she focused on hydrology and water management, writing her PhD on interception in the hydrological cycle. It was while working on her PhD that Coenders truly became interested in evaporation and what could be learned from it. “Realizing the importance of evaporation started during my PhD study, where I focused on one specific type of evaporation.” she explains.
“I also learned that knowledge on evaporation was very limited and that big steps could be made.” Evaporation accounts for the largest outgoing flow in the water balance. By using glass fibre optic cables to measure temperature profiles, Coenders found that far more data could be captured about evaporation than had previously been possible. Though not as extensively researched as precipitation, evaporation could be just as important for security of food and dry feet. Knowing its full impact is therefore an important part of understanding the possible effects on climate change.
For Coenders, this new-found knowledge and the way it is measured is worth sharing, and is what will be the focus of her talk during the upcoming salon. It is no surprise that her favorite talks are those related to earth sciences. Undoubtedly, Coenders will add another interesting talk to this particular field, one that will bring new insights into evaporation and its effects on the world we live in.
Coenders will be one of our speakers at the upcoming TEDxDelft salon entitled “Thin Ice.” If this topic sounds interesting, feel free to join us on Sunday October 25 at 15:00, at Theater de Veste.
On Sunday October 25, from 15:00 until 17:00, TEDxDelft will host its first salon of the new season at Theater de Veste, entitled Thin Ice. The theme for this event will be Climate Change. The salon will focus on how changing perceptions can benefit the planet’s ecological system, more specifically through evaporation, construction of aeroplanes and festivals.
The speakers for this event will be Miram Coenders and Sofia Teixeira de Freitas, both Assistant Professors at TU Delft, and Wout Kommer, co-founder of KarTent. These special guests will share their insights into how knowledge on evaporation is important for food security, how aeroplanes can become more environmentally friendly, and how festivals have led to new insights about personal possessions.
The TEDxDelft salon will be held in English and is open to everyone, so come and join us, share in the knowledge and tell us about about your idea worth spreading!
Special guests:
Miriam Coenders
Sofia Teixeira de Freitas
Wout Kommer
Special thanks to:
TU Delft
Talbott International Presentations
“Engagement coordinator!” is Rachel Richardson’s enthusiastic response when asked about her current role for TEDxDelft. “I manage and oversee the communications content for the events.” It is a role that suits Richardson, who works as a creative strategist, very well.
“I have been watching TED talks for years now.” she says. After moving to Delft, she found out about a local TEDx event and decided to attend. Before she knew it she was asked to join as a volunteer, something she did not have to think long about. “I thought that was even better than just watching it.”
And so Richardson moved her way through the organisation, from volunteering to leading the social media and blogging team for the new season. Given her previous roles at TEDxDelft working on social media, as well as her passion for the event, one can count on her to push TEDxDelft communications to the next level.
How long have you been part of the TEDxDelft team?
I signed on in September of 2014. This will be my second event season to participate in.
You operated as the social media manager of the TEDxDelftWomen’s conference. Who was your favorite speaker?
That is tough, but, I would say Dr. Wioletta Ruszel because she was so passionate about math and how it is a part of all of our lives. I think math gets a bad rap and I like when it’s given positive attention.
Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or fictional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft who would it be and why?
I would love to hear Charlie Chaplin speak. I think he would give, not only an informative talk, but I imagine he would mix in a bit of his fumbling charm to make it visually entertaining as well. He was a great activist in his time, and he used his films to convey serious messages that were wrapped inside of a comedic package. I imagine his talk would be really inspiring.
Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?
I think I am pretty upfront about my hobbies, even at work. I love eating. Probably more than I should admit. I like trying new restaurants and cuisines. Come to think of it, I should probably get some hobbies that don’t include food. I love to travel too! Since moving to the Netherlands, I have had the chance to see a lot of wonderful new places that I had not seen before, and eat a lot of delicious food I had not tried before.
If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?
First, I would have to overcome my stammering fear of speaking to a large group of people. Then I might give a talk on how to overcome your stammering fear of speaking to a large group of people. Or, maybe I would talk about the importance of loving yourself – I do always enjoy the feel-good talks.
A new season means new TEDxDelft events to attend and enjoy. On Thursday 15 October at 20:00 we will kick off the season with a completely new type of event: TEDxDelft stories. The theme for this event will be: Stories from childhood. If this sounds interesting, feel free to come join us. For more details on the event, click here to learn more.
Side activities can make a great addition to a TEDxDelft event. For the new season it falls to Ellen Rietveld, Floor Coordinator, to ensure they run smoothly. “I coordinate the side activities for all the events. I make sure the space and facilities are available, and that people know when they are expected.” It is a position which should suit Rietveld, a freelance business assistant, like a glove.
It is the sense of teamwork and working towards a common goal that convinced Rietveld to sign up for TEDxDelft. “When I started out working for myself I still wanted to feel part of a team,” she explains. “I was very happy to find out that I could volunteer for TEDxDelft, meeting many wonderful people and achieving something together.”
Combined with her experience from TEDxDelft events, Rietveld will be well placed to coordinate the side activities for this season’s events. Working with different people to arrange the side events, one can be sure that Rietveld will ensure a smooth running operation beyond the TEDxDelft stage.
How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?
This will be my third edition, starting out as room monitor and person-that-moves-photos-from-memory-cards-to-the-blog-space via volunteer coordination, to now being part of the organizing team.
Who is your favorite speaker from a previous TEDxDelft conference and why?
Dorothy Grandia at this year’s first TEDxDelft Women, ‘Authenticity is a dangerous word’. Great energy, and hell yeah, so what if it doesn’t feel authentic to act confident? Get over it!
Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or fictional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft, who would it be and why?
I nominate Daan Roosegaarde.
Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?
Traveling and planning to travel are my favorite waste of time.
If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?
If, and that’s a big if, I would ever find the nerve, it would be about language and words, Paulien-Cornelisse-style.
The speakers are what make TEDx a unique platform. For TEDxDelft, Head Curator Caryn ’t Hart de Wijkerslooth, communications lecturer at TU Delft, is the one in charge of finding those with ideas worth spreading. “I am ultimately responsible for all of the creative decisions for TEDxDelft regarding theme, speakers, entertainment, and line-up,” she explains.
Selecting the right speakers is something ’t Hart is well placed to do. For her work she would often show TEDx movies during her lectures, and from then on she was hooked. “Not only did my students like it a lot, I also fell in love with it more and more.” After visiting a local TEDx event and speaking with Rob Speekenbrink, TEDxDelft licensee, about her ideas on the event, she soon became a member of the organization.
Finding the right speakers for this season’s main event and salons should therefore be no problem for ’t Hart. Together with two co-curators, she will ensure that the upcoming events will be a worthwhile experience for its visitors.
How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?
Almost four years now.
You operated as curator at the TEDxDelft 2015 conference. Who was your favorite speaker?
They were all great in their own way! As a curator you can’t have a favorite.
Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or fictional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft, who would it be and why?
Lettie Hempstock from Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean At The End Of The Lane. She’s an eleven-year-old girl who’s been eleven for a really long time. Lettie can make an entire ocean of knowledge fit into a bucket of water.
Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?
I love taking pictures. I tend to see a lot of beauty in this world and I want to grasp that and share it.
If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?
Nah. I wouldn’t.
“It is very inspiring to me to be part of the TEDx organization,” says Rob Speekenbrink, licensee, curator and TEDxEurope ambassador. Since co-founding the TEDxDelft platform in 2010, organizing the event has given him plenty of inspiration. As such Speekenbrink, who works as an online media consultant for TU Delft, is perfectly poised to provide engaging speakers and topics at every event.
Indeed when Speekenbrink set out to organize the first TEDxDelft, it was the need for inspiration that drove him. “When I first started out I was fed up with normal events that cost a lot of money and take a lot of energy and time, and usually there was not much inspiration, and that still is the case.” Organizing TEDxDelft has provided him with what he had been searching for. In addition, the large network of people he has met as part of the organization have enriched the experience even further.
As TEDxEurope ambassador, Speekenbrink now assists at events across the country and beyond the border as well as overseeing Delft. “Since April this year I have been the TEDxEurope ambassador, so my role has shifted to being a consultant for other TEDx events in the Netherlands and Belgium to help them get started.” With an ever-increasing involvement in the organization, one can always count on Speekenbrink to deliver another inspiring TEDxDelft event.
What is your current role at TEDxDelft and what does that entail?
I am still the licensee for the coming event. We have been looking for another person to take over the license, and we have found someone, but it is a little bit difficult to transfer because of the structure TED has for licenses. A new licensee would have to attend a TED event, and the next one is in December.
If you could choose a historical or fictional figure to give a talk at TEDxDelft, who would it be and why?
I proposed hosting an event with deceased historical figures like Einstein, for instance, and to re-enact Einstein on stage talking about the theory of relativity, but it wasn’t allowed because the idea is that you are able to work with the speaker.
Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?
I still do geocaching, it is my nerdy little secret. I like to be with my family at the weekends and spend as much time with them as I can, because they give me a lot of energy. My hobbies and work are very much the same thing I think. Being involved in TEDx is still a hobby of mine, and I am very grateful that I get to do that next to the work I do for the university.
If you had the opportunity to give a TED talk, would you?
No. There are several kinds of people. I am one of those people who would probably never do a TED talk not because I wouldn’t like to, but because I don’t think I could do one.
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More than 150 people gathered at the Rietveld Theatre in Delft for the very first TEDxDelftWomen event.
The ideas shared during this year’s event were not only worth spreading but also worth acting upon. Indeed, we’ve all been inspired to invest in women entrepeneurs, to observe ourselves (even from the moon), to evaluate charity projects with a business approach, to help others who are in the same place as us. We have also learned to do the right thing and do them right, to measure success by its impact on everyday life, to minimize our slavery footprint, to be confident, to discover mathematics, liberate femininity in men and keep a watchful eye on world leaders.
As the event comes to a close, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the speakers and performers, whose excellence in their respective fields captured our imagination and sparked interesting conversations. As one of the guest, filled with motivation, exclaimed “It’s the time for women now!”
Moreover this event could not be made possible without the dedicated efforts of the TEDxDelftWomen team and it’s volunteers.
Finally a big THANK YOU to all members of the audience for making this historic event a success!
See you next year at TEDxDelftWomen 2016!
“The world is on fire and I am pissed off!” says Simone Filippini. “Every day on television I see the consequences of bad leadership.” Now, Filipinni argues, it is time for world leaders to be accountable for their actions.
As Chief Executive Officer of Dutch development organization Cordaid and a former Consul General for the Netherlands, Filippini has plenty of experience in international relations. But what Filipinni has seen in her work and continues to see in the media does not sit well with her. Particularly when it comes to development aid, too little is being done to alleviate difficult situations and to improve the outlook of millions of people in the developing world.
“Fifteen years ago, an important paper, the Millennium Development Goals, was written. Not one goal has been reached,” Filippini claims. As a matter of fact, over a quarter of all nations remain fragile or laden with conflict. More importantly, $1.8 trillion has been spent on military capabilities compared to only $140 billion on development aid.
“What do the politicians do?” Filipinni asks. “They put out fires with paperwork, putting together resolutions.” According to the her, a new agenda will be signed by the US in September with the aim to achieve zero percent poverty by 2030. Given the fact that the main players in the UN are also the largest producers of arms, Filippini doubts these new goals will be reached.
“There is a lack of true leadership, of competence and accountability,” Filipinni says. The citizens of the world are being disempowered and there is little reason to believe the people in charge will make good on their promises. Nevertheless, Filipinni believes that by banding together, people can make a difference in putting an end to conflicts and fighting poverty. “We have to empower ourselves and demand change, all seven billion of us, as a team. World leaders, we are watching you.”
“I’m a man. I’m a feminist,” says Jens van Tricht. As an idealist, gender equality advocate and pioneer in the field of Men and Masculinity, Van Tricht believes that feminism is good for men.
Twenty-five years ago, Van Tricht was an activist, fighting on the barricades against every kind of injustice you can think of. It was during those days when he lived as a squatter that he got inspired by feminism and criticized the patriarchal system as being the status quo. The many conversations he had with his housemates (four women and one other man) made him realize that more often that not, it’s men who cause problems. And also it’s men who profit most from problems. In the end, feminism inspired him to find ways to help society change.
According to Van Tricht, women had no intention of heading back to their traditional roles after taking over men’s jobs during the Second World War. Women claimed equal rights, claimed and gained a right to education and political decision-making.
However, dominated by the patriarchal system, feminism has also lead to hypermasculinity. “We lost something along the way, a part of femininity that was appealing,” Van Tricht claims. Reminiscing about his activist-days, Van Tricht tells us that he and his friends were not allowed to be emotional with each other. As men, they were not allowed to access their femininity.
As a result, Van Tricht argues that society needs a revalidation of feminine qualities. People need to get connected, be communicative in relation with each other and be caring. “Feminism is good for men, because it liberates the femininity in men.”
“When I was a student, I got caught taking the bus without a valid pass,” shares Dr. Wioletta Ruszel. “I did not have much money, so I tried to convince the driver by saying that I miscalculated the last valid day because I was bad at math. And it worked.”
Mathematics, according to the TU Delft Assistant Professor of Applied Probability, has a beauty and universality to it that is under-appreciated. “When I was eight, we moved from Poland to Berlin. I was in second grade with kids speaking a different language, but when the teacher wrote a sum on the blackboard I understood it and I could solve it,” she explains. Ruszel went on to study Electrical Engineering but then realized that she had a greater appreciation for the formulas in that field. She then shifted to Mathematics and Psychology to study the foundation of nature and mankind.
Oftentimes, people will say they are bad at math and that they find it difficult. It is even socially acceptable to say so. However, Ruszel claims that it follows a set of structural rules. As with grammar, these rules allow the brain to learn a new language and math is one of these languages.
In reality, mathematics is used more often than people might realise. “When you calculate how much petrol the car needs to get to work, you solve a linear equation. Every time you determine the shortest path to the shops, you solve an optimisation equation,” Ruszel explains. “Chips are shaped as hyperbolic paraboloid.” Essentially, their shape has been designed using mathematics in order to pack as many as possible in a pack without breaking.
“Mathematics is universal, beautiful, objective,” Ruszel argues. “It will remain the same one hundred years from now. There is no escape. Everyone can and is doing it.”
Indeed, no other discipline is as multifaceted as math. People tend to think of complex equations when thinking of mathematics, but by breaking them up into smaller problems, they become easier to comprehend and to solve. Ruszel believes that math is a great way to learn more about the world and to enjoy its beauty. “Go into the world, and discover mathematics.”
“Have I ever felt authentic?” Dorothy Grandia asks. While on stage, Grandia openly admits to feeling somewhat like a fraud compared to her colleagues, whether they are other speakers, Texas legislators or opera singers. It always takes a while for her to get used to her new role before she can feel authentic.
Working at Erasmus University’s Centre of Excellence, Grandia helps women in mid-management positions become strong leaders by improving the way they communicate. However, she often notices that women no longer feel authentic when they follow her advice on changing their body posture and increasing their voice projection. It is as if they have an “authenticity devil” on their shoulder, making them feel inadequate. This voice is telling them that they are not good enough, which leads to women underestimating themselves or worse, making them appear arrogant.
“Authenticity is great. It’s the degree to which you are true to your values and character despite external pressure,” Grandia says. Yet, it’s no longer positive when authenticity holds you back from projecting more confidence.
According to Grandia, in order to become confident, you have to act confident. If you want a promotion, you have to convince others of your potential by being confident about your potential. “Will you feel authentic? she asks. “Probably not. Who cares? You need to get over it!” Indeed, Grandia wants women to walk with a confident stride and say something unimportant in a confident way, starting today.
Unfortunately, there are many potential women who lack confidence. Grandia believes that we are in a dangerous situation because the world needs more competent leaders and that there are a many competent women who are ready to lead. “We need competent leaders, but [we also need to] follow confident leaders,” she explains.
So the next time you don’t feel confident, Grandia wants you to listen to the “confidence angel” on your other shoulder, shouting, “We need you. You’re competent. You’re ready. You need to lead. So make them want to follow you!”
“Twenty years ago, I was a student of psychology,” shares Dr. Sheetal Shah. “We were learning through a case of a woman with a physical disability and we were quick to label and quick to diagnose.” Then the woman walked in and told her story. At that moment, the case went from paper to people.
Shah, a Professor of Psychology at Webster University Leiden, believes that the paradigm of teaching has shifted over the past couple of decades. “In my classroom, I have noticed students had difficulties with the transition from paper to people,” she says. When discussing the topic of modern day slavery, her students asked her whether slaves actually still exist. “The students cannot empathise with them,” she claims. Shah’s solution to this hurdle was to take her students outside the classroom to work on a project on modern-day slavery.
In July 2011, Shah launched the Bijlmer Project, a research and intervention-based initiative focusing on the psychosocial needs of victims of human trafficking within the Amsterdam Bijlmer area. The project made the her students realise how people could have led completely different lives and experiences. Through their field research, Shah’s students became more aware of slavery taking place in the present.
Although the study focuses specifically on victims of human trafficking who are forced to work in the sex industry, modern-day slavery can be found in other industries as well. It may be unintentional, but common goods may have been produced by people working as modern-day slaves. “Where do the beans come from that are used to make chocolate or the materials for batteries in smart phones?” Shah asks. “We are all contributing to slavery in some way.” Thanks to their research experience in the field and their personal contact with victims, Shah’s students have become more aware of their slavery footprint.
According to Shah, even people who have finished their studies can also start relating more to this issue, to move from paper to people. By thinking about the entire production chain of goods –including the mines and plantations where people work under difficult circumstances– awareness can increase. “If we question where it comes from, we will force people to give us an answer,” Shah concludes. She hopes that when people become more aware of modern-day slavery, they will start thinking not only about getting a good deal on a product, but also about making a fair deal. “Because people care when they know.”
Dalia El Gabry believes that personal success has a profound impact on one’s surroundings. Success, she believes, needs to be shared.
Central Planning and Performance Manager for Shell, her story begins in Egypt. In a conservative environment she was keen to leave behind. “Back in 2001 I saw no opportunity for progress in Egypt,” she said, as she spoke about her myriad life experiences. First she stepped out of her comfort zone and worked with big corporations inside Egypt. Soon she found herself at the start of a career in Norway some time later in countries such as Africa, Qatar and now the Netherlands. This journey, she believes, redefined not only her life, but also those around her. “I always realized that if I do not develop and do not grow, I will only have a negative impact towards people around me.”
Though it wasn’t an easy ride, she says it taught her a lot about differences in culture, technical aspects in her career and dealing with the society, “The legacy is the quality of impact you create in everyone in their everyday lives. Experiencing all the nuances that the journey of life could give us.” From giving birth to making her daughters successful and creating a family to share in success – experiences shaped by us and in turn shape us as well. After all, she says, when you get the best out of everyone, you share in their success too.
“My husband and I have six kids, four are his and three of them are mine.” Expecting confusion, Cathelijne Janssen starts with a personal example of how numbers can be better understood when placed in a model. In the case of her family situation, three children are placed on the left, two on the right and her youngest daughter in the middle. A model provides the context wherein numbers can be understood.
As founder of Cateau Communications, Janssen helps companies and government organizations approach the concept of accountability through responsibility. According to Janssen, the key to being a successful company is accountability, which she describes as “taking responsibility, acting responsible and feeling responsible about the results”. Simply put, it’s “doing the right things, and doing them right!”
Nevertheless, being accountable doesn’t lead to enthusiasm. In fact, we need a accountability model that is appealing. In her APPEAL accountability model, Janssen focuses on six particular aspects: Authenticity, Professionalism, Passion, Empathy, Acceptance and Leadership. In all of them, the human factor is added because numbers alone can be misleading and therefore need to be put in proper context.
Accountability is not about how much, but about the why, how and what: “Why do costumers find us interesting? How do we contribute to our goals? and What do we do to reach them?” By asking these critical questions, quality can be measured from the perspective of consumers. In order to be successful, Janssen says that we need to “stop counting and act appealing”.
“There is one story I would like to share with you, the story of my rope of hope,” Noa Brume says. “If we help, what we get back is help.”
A former educator at Oxford University and currently working as a counsellor and life coach, her story starts with the loss of her first born baby. “One morning I felt like I was suffocating, smothered by my grief.” She decided to post about her feelings on an internet forum, and was overwhelmed with the response of kindness and support she received. “Women pulled my rope and gave me hope. I would be listening to others, telling stories created hope and gave hope.” Brume found that helping others was a huge part of the healing process.
“We can look at the healing process as if it were a building,” Brume explains. The ground floor is the starting point of the healing process, where we have hit rock bottom.” The top floor is the solid recovery point, when one’s been through the process and has come through. Though it is possible for people to move back and forth between floors, having good and bad days, it is possible in the end to reach the top floor. “When you help, it is not necessary to be on the same floor. You can help and inspire others from whichever floor you find yourself on.”
People receive help in return for them offering it because, Brume explains, Newton’s law of action and reaction works for people as it does for objects. “When one object puts force on a second object, it simultaneously has a reaction of equal force upon the first item,” Brume explains. The same goes with people. By offering ropes to others on lower floors, people are being offered help to recover and in turn can give help back to those who had offered it. “We can all help. We should look for our building, for others who are currently in it, and to throw a rope of hope.”
Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus said that to understand what results a project aimed at marginalized people should deliver we need new yardsticks. New yardsticks to understand not just the economic returns on investment, but also the social returns. That is the tenet entrepreneur Namita Krul lives by.
The founder of New Yardsticks, an organization aiming at transforming the way the charitable projects are looked at, Krul believes in the amalgamation of business with charity. Non-profit organizations, she says, while motivated towards the welfare of a community, also want to see reasonable gain as a result of their effort.
Understanding the needs of the beneficiaries will help achieve those efforts in a streamlined manner. “I happened to visit an orphanage which had 200 children,” she recalls. After a close dialogue with the management team of the orphanage, Krul realized that while food, shelter and education are of primary importance, in organizations such as these it is important to look deeper and find solutions to how things work. “There is a substantial necessity to make strategic choices and focus more on the interdependency of value creation, product development and distribution channels to evolve a network and management which supports everything under its shelter.”
As a role model her team worked with the women in a shelter and trained them to make toys. This eventually led to them sewing products with industrial machines. So, a pilot project that was given its due analysis made its advent towards a massively scaled venture.
“While charity-based, the business model made the women look beyond their realm and plan their own future. This brings a smile to my face,” she says. Her aim is to plan ahead and yet ensure that no one is exploited. “Ultimately, there is no margin for risks or errors when it concerns marginalized people. When you donate funds, you definitely want to improve the livelihood and help them do better.”
