Theme: Without Borders

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Stenden University
Rengerslaan 8
Leeuwarden, Fryslân (fy), 8917DD
Netherlands

Dance Group of the Friesland College Leeuwarden

The dance group of the Friesland College Leeuwarden is a group of young, motivated, dance- loving students under the lead of coach Marijn Neuman. As improvisational dance is one of their main courses at the college, they surprise their audience always with new and great dance performances.

Alexandra Dobriyanova

Alexandra Dobriyanova is a second year student of Media and Entertainment Management at the Stenden University in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands. She is passionate about the media industry, focussed on self-development and growth and a fierce animal lover. She enjoys spending her time happily consuming media products and believes they have much more to offer than what is evident to the casual viewer. In fact, the media has a vast influence on people’s values, beliefs and perceptions but to Alexandra’s opinion, it is not using that power the best it can.

Dr. Adam D. Wexler

Dr. Adam D. Wexler, originally from New York City, has been working in the field of water research since 2006 and began studying the floating water bridge in 2010. Originally trained as a botanist, and later working in healthcare he became curious about the physical link between water and life. Adam is currently the head of advanced microscopy and optical metrology as well as a member of the applied water physics group at Wetsus – European Center of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology located in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.

Erik op ten Berg

Erik op ten Berg, born 1963, is an expert in creative thinking. He holds a Master of Science degree in Creativity and Change Leadership. Currently he is working for Pioen consult as a professional in creative problem solving. His passion is to vitalize and inspire individuals and companies. He supports people in discovering challenging ideas. Inspiration he seeks in nature, the Spanish culture, making stone sculptures and distance running.

Hans de Wilde

Hans de Wilde, a passionate musician and choirmaster of the university choir of the Stenden University in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, loves to amaze people with his music. Either alone or as the choirmaster of several choirs he gives music performances and sometimes also music/ singing workshops.

Jan Portheine

Jan Portheine is an architecture graduate from the TU Delft and founder of KarTent. As a young entrepreneur he went through many ups and downs to start up his company and also had to take risks to make the project feasible. Being aware of the thousand tents who are left behind after festivals he designed, tested and implemented a solution, namely the KarTents. With a history in cardboard constructions and a creative view he managed to make the KarTent to what it is now, an extremely cheap, easily recyclable tent for festivals.

Klara Menzel

Klara is 21 years old and currently studying International Leisure Management at the Stenden University in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands. She is in her second year and loves travelling and reading. She’s been following a vegan diet for about two years now has developed a great passion for food and diet.

Niek van den Adel

Niek van den Adel is an International Hotel Management alumni from Stenden University in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, who had his whole life planned out. A house, a nice car and everything a 24year old wishes, Niek had it. His life, and the plans he had, fell apart when he was part of a life-changing accident in 2010. As a consequence of his accident, he got a paraplegia which means he is paralyzed from his chest down. Instead of hating life and being negative about the fact that 90% of his body doesn't work, he chooses to be positive about the situation and inspires the rest of the world with all the effort he puts in his life to make every day a better day. Niek now lives a positive life; he married the love of his life, is a great father for his twins, has written a book, is a blogger and also a coach. Niek works as a trainer and speaker with the message that everyone should act normal, because then they are already hospitable enough.

Rick Robijn

Rick Robijn is a student from the NHL in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands. His passion is Hip Hop music and performing in front of bigger audiences isn't new for him. He wants to achieve bringing back the original Hip Hop and bring over a message with his music.