Czechia’s premier English-language TEDx event to discuss ‘Keys to the Future’

Czechia’s largest English-language TEDx event, hosted by the University of New York in Prague, is returning for its seventh edition on Oct. 21. Speakers and performers from a wide range of disciplines will participate in an action-packed day designed to spark discussion around the biggest issues facing the modern world.

The theme of this year’s event is “Keys to the Future”, with a particular emphasis on sustainability. As the world looks ahead to an uncertain future after facing compounding crises over recent years, conference speakers will examine how we can build resilience, both for our planet and within ourselves.  

Taking place at the UNYP Arena, three sessions spread throughout the day will see speakers deliver expert takes on navigating a challenging future.

In keeping with the TEDx mission to spark deep discussion and connection, TEDxUNYP will feature a carefully selected line-up of speakers with expertise across a range of areas, including the environment, AI, wildlife preservation, music, self-development and more. Influential thinkers will offer unique insights on topics ranging from climate change to entrepreneurship, and from AI to mental health and personal wellbeing.

Speakers on the hot topics of AI and technology will include groundbreaking IT innovator Wendell Brown, AI consultant Mike Bugembe, and cybersecurity expert Adéla Klečková. A range of key environmental topics will meanwhile be discussed by climate activist Šimon Michalčík and adventurer and conservationist Arthur F. Sniegon.

Entrepreneurship will be in focus with Startup Kitchen founder Kateřina Syslová, Vasky shoe-making firm founder Václav Staněk, and “trendspotting” consultant Pavlína Louženská. Meanwhile, sports and music will be discussed by ‘Železná koule’ founder Michal ‘Radar’ Vrátný, piano virtuoso Jan Čmejla, and the twin singer-songwriters comprising Amistat, who are coming to Prague after a sold-out European tour.

TEDxUNYP will also present thought-provoking speeches on self-development, psychology in business and wellbeing from international HR and recruitment guru Blake Wittman, psychologist Marlene Svela Øvrebø, and Mindset Mentors founder Šimon Steffal.

Mark Anderson, UNYP Marketing Director and TEDxUNYP licensee and organizer, explains the process of selecting speakers for the event: “It’s a one-year process that involves the entire TEDxUNYP team. We start by choosing topics that we would like to address; topics that will be or already are of importance and relevance to our audience and the TEDxUNYP community as a whole. Once we have a list of varied topics, we start looking for speakers.”

“Then, our curation team of three, which includes myself, makes sure that each speaker has an idea worth sharing, that we have covered our topic list, and that each talk will be innovative, unique, and add value to our community.”

TEDx is all about “ideas worth sharing”, and the focus isn’t just on the fascinating speeches, but also on bringing together a community of curious minds to discuss and debate the topics being presented.

To this end, the event affords plenty of opportunities for interaction with speakers. According to Anderson, “after their respective talks, you’ll find the speakers enjoying lunch together with everyone and partaking in discussions during coffee breaks. The speakers enjoy the networking as much as everyone else. This is a huge part of the TEDx concept and atmosphere.”

This year’s event will even provide opportunities to exchange ideas after the official end of the talks. “We will hold an afterparty at the nearby Stages Hotel, where the speakers will be available to meet and mingle with event attendees. This afterparty is, of course, only open to event ticket holders,” Anderson explains.

TEDxUNYP is organized based on the recognition that intellectual activity should be geared towards answering real challenges. With its emphasis on sustainability, this year’s event will aim to inspire collective action by enhancing understanding and bringing new perspectives to the table.

As Czechia’s leading English-language TEDx event, TEDxUNYP is also characterized by diversity and an international outlook. It is, therefore, a great place for expats in Czechia to broaden their intellectual horizons, side-by-side with students at the University of New York in Prague and other leading educational institutions.

“Our audience is around 10-15 percent university students from all over Prague, including state universities and other private universities. The rest of the audience tends to be a solid mix of English-speaking Czechs and expats living in Czechia who are interested in the sharing of ideas and who want to ignite learning and discussion. The audience is very international, with attendees based in Prague but originating from all over the world,” Anderson explains.

With a similarly international and diverse line-up of speakers set to discuss an array of topics crucial to the future of the planet and of humanity, this year’s TEDxUNYP is not to be missed. Tickets are in high demand, so those interested in engaging with a community of passionate thinkers are encouraged to book now.