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About Me

Based in London, Kyra is a writer and producer, focusing on creative disruption, social enterprise and the environment. She is passionate about promoting the sustainable development agenda, and has a particularly strong interest in social innovation, design and biodiversity.

Kyra has worked as a journalist and analyst for the Guardian newspaper, covering a wide range of environmental and social issues. She has also worked for Business in the Community, a business-led charity that promotes corporate social responsibility. In 2009, she founded Symphony for Harmony, a Rwandan youth orchestra which seeks to employ art in the service of truth and reconciliation, by enriching individuals while nurturing social cohesion.
Kyra co-founded the Gopher Illustrated, a culture and design magazine; she is the Social Enterprise Ambassador for Sandbox, a global network for Gen Y leaders; she is a trustee of Mothers for All, a charity supporting AIDS orphans in Southern Africa; and she is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

She loves simplicity, design and strong tea.

Location:
United Kingdom, London
Current organization:
SustainAbility Ltd
Past organizations:
The Guardian, The Gopher Illustrated, Business in the Community, One Voice International
Current role:
Researcher and Producer
Gender:
Female
Areas of expertise:
Genocide, Rwanda, Education & Development, Environment , Design, Innovation
I am:
Activist, Brainstormer, Connector, Environmentalist, Explorer, Journalist, Photographer, Producer, Social entrepreneur
Languages:
Spanish, English, French, Hebrew
My website links:
the Gopher Illustrated , Kyra Choucroun, Kyra Choucroun on the Guardian
Universities:
London School of Economics, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, The George Washington University
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More About Me

I'm passionate about

I'm passionate about people, their stories and helping catalyze their creative spirit. I like to think about the intersections of creativity, technology and philanthropy.

An idea worth spreading

Symphony for Harmony - Rwanda. A youth orchestra dedicated to developing civil society through artistic achievement. The project brings together Rwandans of diverse ethnicities, drawing on the ability of art to transcend identity, and of music to relate the extremes of human experience. This creative collaboration employs art in the service of truth and reconciliation,
by enriching individuals while nurturing social cohesion. is based on the premise that participation in an orchestra offers a child both a formal aesthetic education – one that elevates the spirit, providing emotional and intellectual nourishment – and informal ethical instruction, in which the student develops a bond of trust with his fellow pupils.

People don't know that I'm good at

Rapping, games (it's freaky!), being bad at standardized testing, photography, and drawing.

Comments

  • TEDCred score: +1600.20 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

  • A comment on Conversation: How do you foster a culture of creativity and innovation?

    Jun 27 2011: this is all so fantastic! thank you so much for these wonderful insights!
  • +2

    A comment on Conversation: What is your favourite single sentence from a TED Talk?

    Jun 20 2011: "Vulnerability is the birthplace of joy, gratitude and creativity." - Brene Brown
  • +2

    A comment on Talk: Brené Brown: The power of vulnerability

    Jun 18 2011: This is by far the most beautiful, life-changing talk I've seen on TED. Since I saw it for the first time (roughly 2 weeks ago), I've heard/seen it at least twice a week, to remind me how to live my life. As a researcher, I truly appreciate this "data with a soul" idea that Brene Brown is advancing - teaching me (and clearly others) that being vulnerable is okay, even when it comes to bite you back in the ass!

    Beautiful talk.

  • A comment on Talk: Jessi Arrington: Wearing nothing new

    Jun 18 2011: I love this! I don't really see this as a talk promoting you shop solely in second hand shops - but it's rather the vehicle through which the speaker is communicating her message. It's true: It's impossible to be in a bad mood when you're wearing bright red pants!

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