Ideas Worth Spreading

Topic: Seeking Sanctuary
Description: The talk focuses on Bittu Sahgal’s journey down three decades of Sanctuary Asia and links tigers and biodiversity with climate change and the quality of human existence.

Sarah Kay: If I should have a daughter ...

"If I should have a daughter, instead of Mom, she's gonna call me Point B ... " began spoken word poet Sarah Kay, in a talk that inspired two standing ovations at TED2011. She tells the story of her metamorphosis -- from a wide-eyed teenager soaking in verse at New York's Bowery Poetry Club to a teacher connecting kids with the power of self-expression through Project V.O.I.C.E. -- and gives two breathtaking performances of "B" and "Hiroshima."

Topic: Live the Life of Your Dreams
Description: Everybody has dreams. To turn your dreams into reality, however, takes courage, conviction, a readiness to take chances and the strength to follow your own course through life. Sanjeev Lamba dreamt of a life associated with movies when he was a teenager. It took him 20 years and moving to 4 countries to realise his dream. Today, as the CEO of Reliance Entertainment, he has been involved in some of the biggest movies of the past few years in India. In this talk, he shared his experiences and the lessons he has learnt along the way in making his dreams come true.

On December 1, 2009, TEDxASB, brought constructive and provocative ideas about service, making a difference, and helping others to live their dreams to the community at the American School of Bombay. Bill Magee, founder of Operation Smile, described what has become a life mission to help people with cleft lip and cleft palate. Bill came to see his purpose when he made a connection between a simple need in a Philippine community and the skills that he and his colleagues had as doctors. He inspired ASB community members to reflect on themselves as agents of change who can pursue dreams for the lives of others. Shaheen Mistry, founder of the Akanksha Foundation and Teach for India, described her quest to provide hope to children in India through education. Shaheen told stories of under-privileged children who through the special efforts of Akanksha educators are discovering that they too can participate in making the world a better place. She inspired our community with her optimism and commitment and left many of us contemplating how our skills as students and teachers can be better harnessed to enhance the lives of others. TEDxASB reminded me that hope can be derived through the process of learning – too often we see learning as purely rational – and that it is through hope itself that many of us find the strength to stay committed to our ideals.

Topic: No Ordinary Moments
Description: Their talk will focus on the messages of risk taking, humility, and using your gifts.

To view the full video of our December 2009 TEDxASB event, please click the links: Part 1 & Part 2

Topic: Teaching Is Leadership
Description: The talk will cover Shaheen's personal journey and learnings through setting up Akanksha and Teach for India, in pursuit of the vision of giving every child an excellent education.

To view the full video of our December 2009 TEDxASB event, please click the links: Part 1 & Part 2

The theme for our December TEDxASB was “Dreams for the Lives of Others”. Our school’s mission is to “inspire all of our students to continuous inquiry, empowering them with the skills, courage, optimism, and integrity to pursue their dreams and enhance the lives of others”. On December 1st, we focused on service in the fields of education and health, and engaged in discussions about ways to empower our community to become more involved with local issues. Speakers moved us to dream about what is possible and motivated us to strengthen our commitment to serve others.

In addition we also watched the TED Talk by William Kamkwamba titled "How I harnessed the wind".