TEDxNapier Bridge 2023

TEDxNapier Bridge 2023 will take place on August 27th at the Anna Library auditorium and will feature more than 8 diverse speakers spanning various sectors, origins, ages, and experiences who are extraordinary risk-takers, innovators, pioneers and brilliant people who are just getting started. Attending TEDxNapier Bridge 2023 is truly unique, immersive and meaningful. It has the power to create change, to transform minds and perspectives.

Event Theme: This year's theme is 'Turning Vision into Reality,' and through TEDxNapier Bridge 2023, we will explore the theme by envisioning a better future, and examining the solutions, tools, and partnerships that will propel us forward. Our goal through this curated conference is to contribute to and spread a new narrative that educates and elevates the global climate conversation.

Speakers

Yuvan Aves - Naturalist and Climate Educator

Yuvan Aves is a nature-educator, writer, naturalist and activist. Today, the author of five books and the founder-trustee of the Palluyir Trust for Nature Education and Research is on a mission to make local nature-based learning a policy intervention in the state and country

Shobha Menon - Tree Conservationist and Writer

Shobha Menon, the founder of Nizhal, passionately advocates for urban tree conservation and community connections that stand up for trees. Through informative tree walks and volunteer-led programs, she promotes sensitive urban greening and facilitates nurturing spaces for trees and communities

Ann Anra - Environmental Entrepreneur

From a child actor to becoming a sustainability enthusiast, Ann Anra entered the environmental entrepreneurship world armed with over a decade of experience working with change leaders, NGOs and stakeholders in income generation programs. She founded Wasted 360 solutions in 2019 to sustainably address solid waste concerns faced in metros. 

Smitha TK - Independent Journalist

Smitha TK a skilled freelance journalist with eight years of experience in South India, excels in reporting. writing, editing, and camerawork. Her impactful storytelling includes documentaries on climate change, unsung heroes, and the differently-abled, raising funds and advocating for social change. She is the 2023 Global Landscapes Forum ambassador and won a grant from Earth Journalism Network to report on marine pollution. She has achieved tangible results, such as raising funds and expediting investigations.

Dr. Purnima Jalihal - Ocean Energy and Water Technologist

Dr. Purnima Jalihal, Head of Energy and FreshWater at the National Institute of Ocean Technology, is an esteemed scientist and pioneer in ocean technology. She is the Clean Energy Mission Innovation Champion for India and Vice Chair on the Executive Committee of the Ocean Energy Systems Technology Collaboration Program. Her various accolades are a testament to her ground-breaking research.

K Saravanan - Fisherman, Cartographer and Climate Advocate

Saravanan, is a self taught cartographer from the fisher community. Through his detailed and accurate maps, he empowers fishing communities by advocating for their rights and making them climate resilient. He is fondly known as the Maptivist, for his work in creating a positive change among the community most vulnerable to climate change. 

Anupama Bothireddy - Sustainable Architect & Landscape Planner

With a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Greenwich, Anupama specializes in the revival of traditional construction techniques and experiments with alternative building materials. Her vision is to create breathable, environmentally sensitive buildings. She co-founded the architecture firm Studio DCode in 2008.

Ashwin Thiyagarajan - Fashion Designer 

The engineer-turned-designer first made heads turn when his upcycled Banarasi dress was sported by stars like Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Tapsee Pannu. Today, conscious design that stays true to sustainable couture is the signature element in his collections. Ashwin is presently working on a conscious clothing line that pays homage to earth and nature.

Performances

Burrito Bowl Productions - Theatre Collective

Burrito Bowl Productions is a collective working towards universal accessibility of art. It aims to create inclusive content that resonates with everybody, encouraging audiences to embrace their artistic inclinations. The group's mission is to foster a universal love for art itself, thereby making it a shared experience that can be loved and cherished by all.

Aazhi Kalaikuviyam - Performance Collective

Aazhi Arts is an NGO that teaches traditional art forms to the marginalized community. Specialising in Parai and Silambam, they are lighting up the lives of juvenile kids, transgenders, and HIV-affected children by imparting to them, our traditional art forms.

About Countdown: Countdown is a global initiative, powered by TEDand Future Stewards, that aims to accelerate solutions to the climate crisis. The goal is to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 towards reaching net-zero by 2050. TEDxNapier Bridge Countdown is organized to amplify and demonstrate climate solutions.

About Venue: The Anna Library Auditorium stands as the pinnacle of prestige among auditoriums in Chennai. This meticulously crafted venue boasts a fully air-conditioned environment, featuring elegant architecture and aesthetically designed public areas and a main hall. Our decision to host TEDxNapier Bridge 2023 at this venue stems from its accessibility to the public, aligning perfectly with our conference's mission of fostering knowledge and sharing transformative ideas.

About TED: TED is a non-profit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or fewer) delivered by today's leading thinkers and doers. Many of these talks are given at TED's annual conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, and made available, free, on TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sal Khan and Daniel Kahneman.

TED's open and free initiatives for spreading ideas include TED.com, where new TED Talk videos are posted daily; the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as translations from thousands of volunteers worldwide; the educational initiative TED-Ed; the annual million-dollar Prize, which funds exceptional individuals with a "wish," or idea, to create change in the world; TEDx, which provides licenses to thousands of individuals and groups who host local, self-organized TED-style events around the world; and the TED Fellows program, which selects innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

About TEDx: 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, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. 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.

Age Limit: 12 and above only. By purchasing tickets you agree to Terms & Conditions - http://www.tedxnapierbridge.com/terms & Code of Conduct - http://www.tedxnapierbridge.com/code | Tickets are non-transferrable and non-refundable