TEDxAsheville’s (little) sister, TEDxNextGenerationAsheville is doing an excellent job and commanding serious press in the process. Let’s cheer on our bright youth. TEDxNextGeneratonAsheville will premier at The Orange Peel on Saturday, August 28.
Ideas conference TEDx aims to inspire Asheville’s next generation
An upcoming ideas conference here in Asheville will put the spotlight on young people, their passions and action that may come of that caring.
It’s called TEDx Next Generation Asheville, and it will be 3-7 p.m. Aug. 28 at The Orange Peel. The event will feature a group of 11 speakers, who will talk about everything from preventing bullying to spurring social justice through music.
“The push of this event is to give our young people a platform to share their ideas,” says Ashley Cooper, creative executive director of the nonprofit organization. “Our hope is to invite the public to see how much these young people have to contribute in terms of their insight, wisdom and creativity.”
The theme of the event will center on how to turn all that youthful passion into action. Cooper says people who come should be prepared to get engaged. There will be audience discussion sessions and interactive booths to keep the discussion going, she says, and there will be an emphasis on having fun.
“This isn’t teens getting up and acting like adults,” Cooper says. “These kids want to integrate fun into what they’re doing.”
Cooper is a former school counselor turned activist and community organizer who has her own life and family coaching business. She sees the event as an invigorating new model for education.
“The way that TED marries passionate people with people who can build on those ideas is a great formula for learning,” says Cooper, who would like to see a TEDx youth day held at every school in Buncombe County.
TEDx Next Generation Asheville will be held the day before the adult version of the local conference, TEDx Asheville, which was held for the first time last year. Both conferences are a locally organized version of the popular California-based conference held each year known simply as TED, which stands for technology, entertainment and design.
TEDx Next Generation is a free event, but you have to have a ticket to get in, and the organization wants people to register so they can stay connected. To get a ticket, send an e-mail to tickets@tedxnga.com.
This is the opinion of Jason Sandford. Contact him at 232-5851 or jsandford@citizen-times.com. Find Ashvegas updates online at CITIZEN-TIMES.com/ashvegas and the full blog at www.ashvegas.com.
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