For members of developing communities, TEDx
events can be a catalyst for learning and inspiration. Yet
often, despite great enthusiasm, shortfall in resources and
infrastructure poses challenges to organizers in these areas
who want to hold TEDx events. In an effort to foster such
events, we've launched a "TEDx in a Box" program.
Through this initiative, individuals in developing communities are delivered all the resources they need in order to organize a TEDx event -- packaged in one portable box.
What's in the box?
The box, designed by IDEO, includes: a projector, a PA system, a DVD player, a battery and inverter, two camcorders, a tripod, a power strip and an SD card. The Quickstart Guide guides the event organizer to charge the system, set it up to watch a TEDTalk and host live speakers, with or without slides.
IDEO has created an instructional video to show how the box works.
How to get involved:
The "TEDx in a Box" initiative is still in a prototype phase. However, we are currently offering a few ways you can get involved.
We envision "TEDx in a Box" as a program that is completely funded by the TEDx community. In the model we're considering, a TEDx event located in the developed world would "sponsor a box" for a TEDx community located in an under-served or developing-world area. The TEDx event in the developed region would mentor the event in the developing region.
Each box would cost $2,000; the price would include shipping and handling.
If you represent a TEDx event in a developed region, and you might be interested in sponsoring a box, please let us know by filling out this short form.
If you're unable to sponsor a box but would like to get involved, consider translating -- or sponsoring a translation of -- the Developing World Toolkit document. (If you or someone from your TEDx community is interested in translating this document, email tedx@ted.com.)
Once we have worked through the prototype phase of TEDx in a Box, we will be open-sourcing the structure and requirements of the box, enabling the community to create local versions of the box.
Who is eligible for a box?
Eligible TEDx communities range from those located in shantytowns in Africa to underserved schools in urban or rural areas in the United States.
Stories
As part of ongoing research into this pilot program, we've distributed boxes to TEDx organizers in Kenya, China, South Africa, India, Argentina, India and Brazil.
These TEDx organizers have committed to hosting at least two events within six months of receiving the box. They've also translated the "TEDx in a Box" documents into their local language, and provided feedback and ideas on how to improve the program.
Su's story:
TEDxEburru was held in Eburru, on the edge of the Mau forest past Naivasha in Kenya with 65 attendees, aged between 16-19, along with school teachers and administrators.
The Eburru Secondary school is one of the first farm houses built by the original white settlers that was given to the community upon the demise of the last owner. It started out as a day school and provided access to education for children who would commute 20km each way every day! Over the course of the last 6 years, well-wishers and sponsors have worked with the administration of the school to turn it into a boarding school.
When approached about having a TEDx event at the school, the headmaster was very excited and promptly invited us to do so, recognizing this as a great opportunity to expose the students to the greater world. Keeping in mind the surrounding environment, we took a live speaker to demonstrate biogas, an alternative means to fuel and a solution to saving the depleting forest belt in the area.
The event went incredibly well and the students sat back in awe the entire time. After the event, one of the well-wishers promised the school a biogas digester which was purchased and activated a month later.
The headmaster has vowed to encourage the community to adopt the same biogas technology for sustainability of the fragile environment in which they coexist.
I feel the event mattered as it provided a platform to broaden the horizons for both the students and their community.
Kelo's story:
We hosted our first TEDxKliptown on the 19th of February, 2011. Our theme for the event was "Something out of Nothing". The event was held in a small local coffee shop/museum in Kliptown. 20 people attended and they were mainly youth. We are planning to host 2 more events. 28 May 2011 and 24th June 2011.
Kliptown is one of the least developed areas in Soweto. The area where we hosted the event does not have any formal housing, running water or electricity. The young people who live in Kliptown have to travel long distances for school. TEDx in a Box was a perfect platform to use for the community as most of them have cell-phones and they can relate to the technology. It was also convenient as we did not need constant supply of electricity and Internet.
If you have questions about the "TEDx in a Box" initiative, email tedx@ted.com.
What's in the box:
- Developing World event guide
- A projector
- A PA system
- A DVD player
- Two camcorders
- A tripod
- A PA system
- A battery and inverter
- A powerstrip
- An SD card
DVD on Demand
TED recently launched the DVD on Demand program, which allows anyone to create a custom TEDTalk DVD.
Each DVD can hold up to six TEDTalks -- with subtitled talks available in up to 32 languages.
In an effort to spread ideas, TEDx will subsidize DVDs for any licensed TEDx Organizers who are holding upcoming events in economically marginalized areas, TEDx Activators and TEDx in a Box recipients. TEDx will cover the cost of one DVD, plus standard shipping.
If you are interested in receiving a free DVD for your TEDx event, please apply.
Once approved -- please allow 1-2 weeks for application processing time -- we will send you a coupon code. You can then use this code to order your customized DVD.