Jèrriais, accountability in the arts, and introducing the menopause to men are all set to be discussed at Jersey’s first TEDx event in over a decade.
A global phenomenon, TEDx conferences attract millions of online viewers with almost 43m subscribers on the TEDx YouTube channel.
Events feature set of speakers sharing ideas from across disciplines. Its name stands for Technology, Education and Design – which provides a running theme for its events.
Ope Olaleye, who in TEDx parlance is known as the curator and TEDx licensee, organised Saturday’s event in her spare time alongside a job in the financial sector.
The conference at Cineworld takes place under the theme of ‘Your Voice, Our Story: Brave Ideas for a Shared Future’.
Ms Olaleye said: “If you look at any community, the way they bring people together is through stories.”
A total of 21 people applied to speak at the Jersey event, with 14 topics and performances selected.
Those selected include Trudi Roscouet introducing the menopause to men, sixth form student Tama Coxshall on how rediscovering Jèrriais contributed to his sense of belonging in Jersey, and Ballet d’Jèrri’s artistic director Carolyn Rose Ramsay speaking about accountability in the arts.
Ms Olaleye said “there is something for everyone” – with neurodiversity and AI also on the programme.
The organiser said she wanted to create an event that “fosters intellectual curiosity and allow people to network in the island”.
Ms Olaleye received a TEDx licence in October, which allows her to put on the event.
It has been rewarding, she said, to see a positive response to the initiative.
There has been one TEDx event in Jersey previously, held in 2014 – and while this was a one-off, Ms Olaleye said she hoped this year’s event would be the first of many.
“We’ll go with the flow,” she said.
“I’m very happy I’m doing something that brings everyone together.
“I’m happy to be part of that.”
TEDxSt Helier takes place at Cineworld on Saturday 24 May from 13:00 to 18:00.
Tickets are available through Island Ticket Hut.