Theme: Islands Connected

With an aim to invest in projects and ideas with local impact, TEDxSãoTomé takes the name of the capital where it will be held in São Tomé, symbolizing the centrality, the sense of sharing enlarged and the need to "think global and act local", in view the development of the concept of breadth that connects the islands " Islands Connected ".

Hotel Praia
Praia Lagarto, São Tomé
São Tomé, São Tomé
Sao Tome and Principe

Abílio Bragança Neto

Political analyst, wine lover, a lover of good food and good conversation about general culture. Auro Abílio Neto Bragança or just Abílio Bragança Neto was born in Sao Tome and Principe on 29th June, 1967. Graduated in law from the University of Coimbra, Abílio is considered controversial figure in the shows where he participates, for what he says and writes as a political analyst. On STPTv, online news channel in Sao Tome and Principe, he weekly opens space for discussion of issues related to the country. More than a place for discussion, he promotes a space for critical debate of Saotomean reality. To him, life can always be compared to a bottle of wine, with its sweet or astringent moments, good and not so good ones which may have a devastating effect for those who live / consume it without any limitations.

Ahti Heinla

Ahti Heinla was born in 02 May 1972 in Estonia. He is a programmer, entrepreneur and one of Skype founders. He was also one of the organizers of “Let’s do it! 2008”, a civic action to which 50 000 volunteers have participated to clean up Estonia in one day. In 2008, Heinla won the National Volunteer Award of Estonia. He is a member of the board of NGO Estonian Fund for Nature Conservation since 2006.

André Aragão

Born in 24th February, 1964, in São Tome and Principe. Graduated in Law, opened his office in Sao Tome island: “André Aureliano Aragão & Advogados Associados”. Just to name few, he is specialized in Civil and Labour Law, and currently he is the President of Sao Tome and Principe Bar Association and President of the Union of Portuguese Speaking Lawyers. The word justice can be perceived in several ways, but for André Aragão it means giving voice to the, supposedly, voiceless. In a world increasingly digital, the boundaries between privacy and justice are still blurred.

Elsa Lombá

Born in the saotomean islands, she grew up on the archipelago. She undertook her degree in Portugal in Business Management and later specialized in International Marketing. She has accumulated an extensive experience in several areas, such as coordinator of cooperation projects, administrative and finance consultant, Finance Director, Sales Manager, teacher and accountant. For four years she has taken up the challenge of coordinating the Counselling Center Against Domestic Violence. Apart from the all bureaucratic process of management, Elsa Lombá is also responsible for counselling, as working in a center continuously filled with so many stories of defeats and few sucesses demands much more than simply working with numbers. Domestic violence is a social problem in São Tomé and Príncipe and a future without violence is not only desirable by the victims, but also by those, like Elsa, whose work with the most disadvantaged people throughout this process.

Epifânio Costa

What can be the cause for hatred or dislike for some can also be the passion and motivation to others. For Epifânio Costa, mathematics, data network, digital signal processing, telecommunications and electronic instrumentation represent exactly the stated, great passions. Graduated in electronics and telecommunications engineering and a Masters in the same field, Epifânio seeks to make this knowledge a tool to help contribute to the improvement of ICT services in Sao Tome and Principe. Despite the arrival of submarine cable to the archipelago, the services that are provided to consumers and the prices are still not the most affordable. Therefore Epifânio advocates "a connected future", where current barriers would cease to exist.

Killa-Z: Zlarid Almeida

Named originally as Zlarid Almeida, however commonly known by everyone as "Killa- Z". In the music world, which he belongs to, it is required a name that embodies the “survival of the fittest”. But whereas he is the founder of the group "Os Vibrados" he is also a Business Administration technician currently undertaking Public Relations course at the public University of Sao Tome and Principe. Extremely fond of youth affairs and with deep knowledge of Saotomean culture, “Killa -Z " expresses his passion for these subjects. He sings about everyday situations of many young people using verses in the national language-forro. Music is much more than a passion. It is what defines him as a talented young man who has found himself in rhymes and verses. Currently Killa- Z also is engaged with the national television as producer of the TV show “Tendências".

Nayda d’Almeida

Nayda Pires was born on May 3 in Sao Tome and Principe. Graduated in Law, she is specialized in natural resources (oil and gas). Currently works as legal advisor at the Central Bank of Sao Tome and Principe and as Professor of Commercial Law II at Lusíada University in Sao Tome. Extremely fond of legislations and advocate of active associations, Nayda Pires enjoys as well reading a good book, good music, cinema and travel.

Pindó Santos

Pindó is the artistic name that stands for Apolinário Zeferino. A Chef by profession and comediante/events promoter as hobby. Born in São Tomé and Príncipe, Pindó moved to Portugal as a teenager, joining his parents who have decided to venture at lusophone lands. The jokes portrayed daily situations and began to gain more public which granted him a radio show on RDP África, named “Break the Coconut” (Partir o Coco). In 2011, decides to come back to his homeland, as cook and comediant. Entered the business world as manger of its own roulotte in the fast food area. He has been combining three professional passions in a fascinating multirange way. In Stand Up Comedy, Pindó has estaablished himself as a comedian Reference. As manager and events promoter, he organized the I Performance of Stan Up Comedy in STP, the Release of the II DVD Show of the Theatrical Group “The Creatives” (Os Criativos) and the festival R7, which is on its third edition.

Roselyn Silva

Roselyn Silva’s name is gradually becoming a benchmark when it comes to African-European fashion in Portugal and Sao Tome and Principe. Born in Sao Tome and Principe, she begins to create designs from an early age, but it was in 2013 that she finally decided to invest in a universe of African couture with a European twist, launching Rose Collection. The orders did not take long to be placed, influencing several groups in the society. However, only in 2014 Roselyn was revealed as a role model for those who strive to fulfil their dreams. Roselyn participated in the "Shark Tank" tv show in Portugal, and has attracting two investors for her project , giving a new impetus to the brand and raising funds for the opening of her first shop. Her unique and original pieces have taken her to portray more than a collection, her own identity in various parts of Portugal, United Kingdom and most recently in Macau.

School Dance

On November 11, 2011 School Dance was born. A dance school that was facing an ambitious project: to train young people in the artistic production, on cultural and social areas in order to prepare them for entry into active life. It serves as liaison between art, education and culture. One of the main goals is to fight against artistic discrimination and social exclusion issues among young people. Directed by Tanyel Viegas, School Dance has enrolled 225 students. promoting the creation of cultural groups, volunteering through associativism and carrying out preventive campaigns on sexual and reproductive health.

Wildmark Trovoada

Wildmark Trindade da Graça Trovoada was born on August 31, 1983 in Sao Tome and Principe. Graduated in chemical engineering from the Central University Marta Abreu las Villas, Cuba, Wildmark perceives himself as an advocate of good environmental practices. Over his career path he has carried out duties in several institutions and NGOs aimed at environmental preservation. Over the past two years he has coordinated the first national project on urban solid waste treatment system in Agua Grande district.

Yanira Tiny

Music is much more than a hobby for Yanira Tiny. It is feeding the soul and traveling without moving. Yanira found out about music due to the influence of her father’s eclectic taste that sang and listened from salsa to the traditional Bulauê. The singing that began in the shower soon evolved into real stages. Strength, focus and faith are the slogans that guide the life of this 25 years old law student. Only then she believes being able to overcome the battles and pursue the long way of the music and law world. These are just two sides of this very active young girl that likes to be always in contact with the public, engaging with people from various cultures and learn even more each time.