Theme: Inspiration-Direction-Execution-Appreciation

Our theme for this year’s edition of TEDx is IDEA: Inspiration, Direction, Execution and Appreciation. Everything we do starts with an idea: whether that's preparing dinner or traveling to other galaxies. We all have ideas and they take many different forms along the way.
Everyone has ideas. Some act on them and some don’t. What is that element, that key ingredient that takes an idea from the mind and transforms it to reality? Is it passion? Is it drive or the people around us that help us cultivate change? We will explore these themes and others at this year's TEDxBaDinh.

Star Galaxy Theater and Covention
87 Lang Ha, Thanh Cong, Ba Dinh
Hanoi, Ha Noi, 100000
Vietnam

Hanoi Catholic Youth Choir

Hanoi Catholic Youth Choir was formed in June 2015. It now has thirty members between the ages of 18 to 31 years old, who take their lead from conductor Le Doai Huy, with many members hailing from Hanoi. In 2016, the Choir won a spot on “Vietnam’s got talent”, an important achievement for the group.

The Bamboo Ensemble Suc Song Moi

Suc Song Moi (The New Vitality) is the only bamboo ensemble in Vietnam that performs its symphonicly orchestrated repertoire purily with bamboo music instruments. It was established in 2013 by the young conductor Dong Quang Vinh – the principle conductor of the Vietnam National Opera & Ballet & Hanoi Voices Choir, who had been trained for 9 years in Shanghai Conservatory of Music – China. The Ensemble’s music instruments were all made from bamboo by Artist Dong Van Minh (father of Dong Quang Vinh) – a prominent bamboo music maestro and its reperoire, includes Vietnamese folk music and world’s academic classical masterpieces by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Debussy, Ravel, Saint-Saens, Offenbach, Elgar etc., were all orchestrated by Dong Quang Vinh himself. Inherited the passion for academic music from his father, combined with the unfettered mind of a young professional, Vinh set up the Bamboo Ensemble with an ambition to bring academic music closer to the young generation in his unique and original style.

Alexander Furunes

Architect

Alex studied at the Architectural Association before receiving his masters in architecture at NTNU, Norway. He co-founded the design collective WORKSHOP architecture before starting Eriksson Furunes (www.erikssonfurunes.com). He has worked with communities in India, Philippines, UK and China and is currently doing a research on participative planning, design and build processes as a fellow at the The Norwegian Artistic Research Programme (2016-19). His work is a critical reflection on previous projects as well as an exploration of collaborative placemaking through new projects in both Asia and Europe.

Bill Chang

Scientist

Dr Chang joined Academia Sinica in 2007 as a research specialist and established the bioinformatics core facility at the Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology. In 2010, Bill established Yourgene Bioscience, and it was the first company in Taiwan to provide both next generation sequencing and bioinformatics services. He also co-founded Sofiva Genomics in 2012 to provide prenatal genetic testing services to the local market and the company was successfully listed in the Taiwan stock exchange in early 2017. In early 2017, Yourgene was acquired by Premaitha Health, a UK listed company, via share swap and Bill is now the Chief Scientific Officer at Premaitha Health, and also a director on the Premaitha board.

Chau Nguyen

Social activist

Chau has dedicated her life to charity activities since she was young, starting out with hosting fundraising events for orphanages and disabled children and moving on, in 2013 and 2015, to co-founding a charity, School 4 Kids Viet Nam. Through this, she successfully crowdfunded to build two schools for 200 minority children in northern Viet Nam. In 2014, she quit her corporate job to travel to the far north Viet Nam to learn about life in remote areas. Chau has been seeking sustainable solutions that can help reduce poverty and increase the chances for these people to reach equality. In 2016, she was awarded scholarship for IATSS Forum Leadership Program and spent two months studying the most successful cases of sustainable community models in Japan and came to the realization that a “community-led approach” can make the difference for a society. Chau holds a Bachelor of Commerce from RMIT Viet Nam.

Dat Pham

Entrepreneur

5+ years of experience in entrepreneurship, business development and management, corporate communications and marketing. He was recently listed in Forbes Vietnam 2016’s 30 under 30. Within 4 years of working in the Vietnam startup ecosystem, Dat has been assessing 500+ startup business models, worked with 150+ companies in refining the products and providing consultancy in branding and marketing. Dat successfully organized 4 annual with national-scale startups conference and exhibition events (HATCH! FAIR), contributed significantly in the planning process of the Innovation Accelerator Program of IPP, participated in number of international startups events and business trips in Singapore, US, Finland. Apart from that, Dat is also co-founder and Managing Director of ABLINK Communication. His works include Fusion Bodyworks, KOTO Vietnam, British Business Group Vietnam, Hafele, and many other brands

Hoang Tran

Paediatrician

Dr Tran gained her paediatric qualifications at the University of Melbourne, Australia, following her undergraduate doctoral certificate at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam in 2000. Since then, she has held a dual role as Lecturer and deputy head of paediatrics at the University of Da Nang Technical University of Medicine and Pharmacy, as well as the Deputy director of Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children and the Head of its Neonatal Unit. Dr Tran is also a member of the Independent Review Group for WHO-Western Pacific region on monitoring implementation of the Action Plan for Healthy Newborns. She’s one of the key clinicians who set up Vietnam’s first human milk bank at Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children in February 2017.

Jason Lusk

Director of Clickable Vietnam and tourism innovation consultant

When Jason first visited Vietnam he was vice president at U.S. ad agency Cramer-Krasselt. He relocated to Hanoi less than a year later. Jason’s passion for Southeast Asia inspired him to found the tourism marketing agency Clickable Vietnam. There, he has built a multicultural and multidisciplinary team dedicated to sustainable tourism, innovation and bringing more visitors Vietnam. In 2016, Jason began publishing the Dulichable Vietnam tourism marketing magazine. In early 2017, he worked with the Asian Development Bank to launch the MIST Accelerator for tourism startups in the greater Mekong subregion. Jason is working to build a tourism innovation ecosystem, modeled after Hanoi’s startup ecosystem, to speed northern Vietnam’s growth as a premier tourism destination.

Jimmy Pham

Social Entrepreneur

Jimmy is a member of the board of directors for the Centre for Social Initiatives Promotion (CSIP), a Vietnamese nongovernmental organization which mentors, incubates and funds social enterprises. Jimmy was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in January 2013, an honour acknowledging his significant service to the community, particularly with marginalized children and youth in Vietnam. KOTO was named finalist for the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award and KOTO was awarded the inaugural UNICEF Vietnam Zero Award for Social Innovation for its work championing the rights of children and youth. On March 29th 2017, Jimmy will be in Seoul, receiving the 2017 POSCO TJ Park Prize for Community Development & Philanthrophy award for his significant contribution to disadvantaged youth in Vietnam. “Know One, Teach One” and underlies Jimmy’s philosophy. “To be successful means giving back,” he said.

Jon Dallas

Philosopher

Jon Dallas studied Theatre Performance and Philosophy at Towson University. He led as Macheath in a bilingual production of Brecht's Die Dreigroschenoper in Oldenburg, Germany and later traveled the country busking, working on farms, and sketching the foundation for what would in time become his theory on gameplay. He is an Eagle Scout, PADI SCUBA Dive Master, Yoga Instructor, and Theatrical Score Composer. Having lived in Hanoi for more than a year, Jon is now an ESL Teacher Trainer and runs The Hanoi Philosophy Forum, Hanoi Nerd Nights, The Activist App Project, and Vipassana Meditation Hanoi.

Jordan Ashley

Entrepreneur/Social activist

Jordan Ashley is the founder of Souljourn Yoga Foundation (souljournyoga.com), a non-profit dedicated to raising funds and awareness for girls education in developing countries through global yoga retreats. Drawing on her experience of journalism, travel and being a full time yoga teacher, she created Souljourn Yoga as an avenue for the practitioner who wants more than just “down dog” and to expand the need for equal education across the globe.

Jordan Vogt-Roberts

Hollywood Film Maker

Jordan Vogt-Roberts is an American film and television director hailing from the ashes of Detroit. His most recent feature, KONG: SKULL ISLAND opened in March 2017 to critical acclaim and commercial success, making over 500 million dollars at the world wide box office. Starring Tom Hiddleston, Academy-Award winner Brie Larson, John C. Reilly and John Goodman, the film is set in the 1970’s and is a unique reimagining of the King Kong mythos based on Vogt-Roberts’ original pitch to the studio. Previous he made the film THE KINGS OF SUMMER which premiered at the Sundance film festival in 2013. He directed the pilot for the FXX critically acclaimed show YOU'RE THE WORST. He spends half his time working in Vietnam on making arts education more accessible.

Manuel Der Hagopian

Partner & Co-founder of group8asia

Born in Switzerland, Manuel Der Hagopian graduated from the Institut D'Architecture De L'Université De Genève (IAUG), Switzerland. He is one of group8asia principals with offices in Singapore, Hanoi and Geneva and the partner-in-charge of the operation in Singapore. Prior to launching group8asia in 2006, he was one of the eight founder-partners of group8 in Geneva and was the principal-in-charge of design for numerous residential projects in Switzerland. As a co-founder of group8asia, Manuel provides full scope of architectural services from design to project management. Under his leadership there are many notable projects: Punggol Waterway Terraces (Singapore), The Alps Residences (Singapore), Tampines GreenRidges (Singapore) and FPT Headquarters (Vietnam). Through group8asia, he is exploring his personal interest in fast growing populations and its impact on residential housing in South East Asia.

Meirav Shahar

Ambassador of State of Israel to Vietnam

Meirav Eilon Shahar assumed the position of Ambassador of State of Israel to Vietnam in August 2012. Prior to this mission, she directed the Department for United Nations Political Affairs in Jerusalem between 2009 and July 2010. Joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1995, Meirav has represented Israel in a number of different capacities. Until summer 2009, Meirav Eilon Shahar served as Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations. Previously, Mrs. Shahar served as Consul for Communications and Public Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles from 2000 to 2002. There, she directed public, media and academic affairs in the southwestern United States. She also served as Second Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Israel in Nairobi, Kenya between 1997 and 2000. In this capacity, she oversaw all aspects of bilateral relations between Israel and six east African countries. Meirav is married to Ram and they have 3 children.

Narayan Silva

Sustainable development educator

Narayan grew up in Brazil but sees himself as a nomad, living, learning and working in many different countries in the last years. With a MSc. in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability in Sweden, he is passionate about helping people and organizations to develop their capacity in creating positive impact in the world. As a practitioner of the Art of Hosting Conversations that Matter, he believes in the power of meaningful conversations and stories to build deep connections and bring the best out of human beings. Narayan also dreams of a new kind of education, one where people can become the authentic leaders that the world needs. That has led him to be a UNESCO ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) Youth delegate in 2014 and live in Vietnam since 2015, to support the development of the Knowmads Alternative Business School in Hanoi.

Nhung Tran

ZÓ’s founder

Studied bachelor economics (Foreign Trade University, Master in Management (France). Experiences and expertise: International NGOs such as: Vietnam Plus, Oxfam (2007-2009), Rosa Luxemburg (political foundation from 2009-2015). Founded Zó in 2013 as a social enterprise to preserve traditional paper of Vietnam. More about Zo Project: On BBC, on The Guardian, on video.

Paul Brown

Psychologist

Professor Paul Brown was professionally very much part of the sexual revolution in the UK. A clinical psychologist by profession, from 1972 – 1976 he ran the only research programme funded by the UK National Health Service into the treatment of sexual difficulties. The results of that research were announced in Parliament, and his work was the basis for establishing nearly 100 clinics throughout the UK for the treatment of sexual difficulties. He has published widely in clinical journals and in popular books, and has spoken about sexual and relationship matters extensively on radio and television. He now lives in Vietnam and travels extensively in Asia, Europe and America in the development of his current interests as Professor or Organizational Neuroscience at Monarch Business School Switzerland.

Stefan Phang

Humanitarian

Stefan is the Regional Director for Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), for the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Turkey Region (AMAT), at Sealed Air Corporation. Stefan is a strong advocate of CSV – Creating Shared Value – by addressing societal needs with a business model. He specializes in helping communities in need create sustainable livelihood programs as a means to lift them out of poverty. Currently, Stefan leads over 150 active projects in over 30 countries, mostly projects on child protection, anti-human trafficking, livelihood programs and disaster relief and rehabilitation. Stefan has a Bachelor’s (Honours) Degree in Microbiology and a Master’s Degree in Molecular Epidemiology from the National University of Singapore. Stefan is a Child Protection Advocate accredited with the International Child Protection Network (ICPN) for Asia, Middle East and Africa.

Van Dang

Founder & CEO of Savvycom

Van Dang, Founder & CEO of Savvycom, was named by Forbes magazine as one of 15 Global Leaders To Watch In 2017, came in a list of the Top 100 Outstanding Start-up Entrepreneurs. She plays as VP of Vietnam IT organization with the mission of introducing Vietnam IT Delivery services to the world. Van proved to be not only an astute businesswoman, but a citizen who enjoys supporting the well-being of the society where we live and work also. After graduating from the University of Sydney, Van came home with a dream about a new Vietnam, leveraging its resources and potential to compete in an international marketplace. She especially guides other women entrepreneurs, to whom she imparts confidence, inspires their innovative business ideas and turns these into reality. For her "Find your own inner peace, live and breath with that, you'll be successful"

Vi Do

Crisis Worker

Vi Do is a former street kid who is now a proud father, photographer, and leader of Crisis Care at Blue Dragon Children's Foundation. Vi migrated from rural Vietnam to Hanoi aged 15 where he shined shoes to financially support his family. Life on the streets exposed him to drugs, danger and violence, as he lived in the underbelly of the country's capital city. By chance he met the founder of Blue Dragon and started studying English at free classes. As he grew older he found employment as a barman under the guidance of Donald Berger, one of Hanoi's foremost restauranteurs. After 6 years he returned to Blue Dragon to help young people with the same difficulties in life that he once had. Today, Vi runs a shelter for boys in crisis, leads a team of Outreach Workers on Hanoi's streets, and cares for children in deep trauma. He has been part of rescue operations to find trafficked children in both Vietnam and China and worked undercover to expose pedophile rings.