TedxHolyLand confirmed for 28th October 2010, in Jerusalem!
The Vision
The vision of TEDxHolyland is to bring together people of Palestine and Israel who do not ordinarily meet and to share a half day together hearing and discussing TED talks on a wide range of topics of common interest. The talks will mostly be given by women, usually under represented in conferences. The talks will not purport to resolve the political divide, but the conference will harness the power of the TED platform in spreading ideas, fostering discourse and calling to action.
We can’t solve the political divide. But we can start with a common understanding that the occupation must end and there must be an end to violence.
TedX Holyland has a special mission: to bring this inspirational tool to one of the world’s most troubled regions, and leverage it for productive, fruitful communication among people on opposite sides of the divide. It’s time!
What is TEDx?
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is call TEDx HolyLand, where x=independently organized TED event. At our TEDx HolyLand event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.
It’s Time
Palestinian Hanan Kattan and Israeli Liat Aaronson are ostensibly from two very different sides of the spectrum. But during one short week at the TEDIndia conference two women, whose backgrounds define them as enemies, found their common values and humanity. TEDxHolyLand is not an attempt to forget the past or brush over it. But it is an acknowledgment that the future can only improve with vision and the courage to think differently. To challenge each other, understand each other, and empower each other. To acknowledge those who are working to create the kind of world we all want our children to live in. Years of history cannot be overturned in a day. But a viewpoint can be changed in a day. And that is why they decided to present TedxHolyLand. Because only by thinking outside the box can we live together inside the same region.
