Taipei to host TEDxWeekend to promote innovative exchanges

Taipei, Aug. 28 (CNA) Taipei will be among five global cities to host a once-in-a-decade celebration of TEDx, a community-based independent project similar to TED, with organizers expressing hopes on Wednesday that the event will promote both Taiwan and exchanges of different ideas.

Dubbed TEDxWeekend, the event will be held between Nov. 1-3, and will invite around 500 TEDx team staffers aged 25-40 from 52 countries to share ideas of diverse backgrounds, said Luke Lee (李欣龍), CEO of TEDxWeekendTaipei2019.

"We will bring TEDx partners around the world to tourism spots, enterprises and local communities to experience Taiwan, as well as hold gatherings for them to exchange ideas," Lee said.

For instance, TEDx partners will visit the Taipei 101 skyscraper to study their recycling measures, to learn how buildings can go green and become environmentally-friendly. They will also visit Taipei's historic Dadaocheng area to get a grasp of local people's lives, he said.

Lee added that he hopes such events could allow more people to learn about Taiwan, and although they are not open to the public, discussions that take place at the event could be spread via online social media networks, contributing to ideas of innovation worldwide.

TEDxWeekend will also invite TED fellows or individuals of distinguished achievement to give speeches, including young entrepreneurs from Asia America Multitechnology Association, and Forbes 30 Under 30 initiatives.

Cesar June-Herada, a TED fellow and maker who promotes technology-based innovative solutions to help resolve social issues and create positive impacts, also spoke at Wednesday's warm-up event to promote TEDxWeekend.

"We are very impressed with the amount of creativity and refinement that we can see in your design and culture," said Herada, who has met makers in Taiwan over the past five days.

Taipei will join Mexico City, Tunis, Rome and Johannesburg to host the TEDxWeekend celebrations.

TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is a media organization that posts talks online for free distribution under the slogan "ideas worth spreading."

Meanwhile, TEDx, under a free license granted by TED and organized by individuals who seek to discover ideas and spark conversations in their own community, brings the spirit of TED's mission of ideas worth spreading to local communities around the globe.