TEDxStormont set to return to Parliament Buildings

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TEDxStormont is set to return to Parliament Buildings on Saturday 25 March with a stellar line up including globally renowned cellist Patrick Dexter, Sky News Senior Ireland Correspondent David Blevins, Principal of Hertford College, University of Oxford Tom Fletcher, Senator Emer Currie, journalist and author Leona O’Neill, and Northern-Irish-Ghanian artist Winnie Ama.

The daylong event, supported by Herbert Smith Freehills and compered by presenter and broadcaster Sarah Travers, is expected to see 200 guests fill the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings for the event’s 10th anniversary.

As we look forward to marking and celebrating 25 years of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in April, this year’s speakers will deliver their talks on the theme of “YES”. Standing on the iconic red dot, speakers will share their ideas on hope, peace, and possibility for Northern Ireland and beyond.

Beginning as a four-day conference in California, TED and the TEDx programme has grown to support world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives like TEDxStormont, which since 2013 has organised over 20 events and meet-ups, including TEDxStormont, TEDxStormont Women, Salons, City 2.0, TED Global viewing parties, TED Circles, Countdown, and a week-long virtual Summer Camp.

Across the span of a decade, TEDxStormont has hosted some of the most acclaimed speakers including Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol, Lyra McKee, Ana Matronic of the Scissor Sisters, and astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell.

The event will bring individuals from an array of backgrounds such as academia, journalism, music, business, and sport.

TEDxStormont speakers being announced today include:

  • Darragh McCarthy – CEO, FinTrU
  • David Blevins – Sky News’ Senior Ireland Correspondent
  • Emer Currie – Senator and Spokesperson for NI, Special Education and In`clusion
  • Janina Ramirez – historian, documentary maker and author
  • Jim Dennison – Chief Executive of the Simon Community NI
  • Joan Mulloy – Irish solo sailor
  • Karise Hutchinson – professor of leadership
  • Leona O’Neill – academic, former journalist, author
  • Lisa Strutt – leadership coach, co-founder, trustee
  • Matthew McEIhinney – a theatre director, a football fan and a child of the peace process
  • Patrick Dexter – globally-renowned cellist
  • Peter Corry – musician, performer, producer
  • Tom Fletcher – Principal of Hertford College, Oxford University, diplomat and author
  • Winne Ama – Northern-Irish-Ghanian artist

    • Lisa McLaughlin, Managing Partner of Herbert Smith Freehills’ Belfast Office said:

    “Original ideas and inspiring individuals are the twin pillars of progress, so it is always important to give a platform to those who can help develop the foundations on which our collective futures are built. We are thrilled to be able to support efforts to ensure their vision of change becomes a reality”.

    Selina Wallace, Business Director at Smarts Agency added:

    “It’s a privilege to once again support TEDxStormont, especially in what is a milestone year for the event and for Northern Ireland. As a creative agency Smarts is passionate about creating ideas that drive change and we look forward to considering the insights and new ideas for positive change that each talk will offer. The speakers announced today set the stage for what will be a phenomenal event.”

    Eva Grosman, Curator of TEDxStormont 2023 concluded:

    “It is fantastic to be joined by some of the most inspiring and respected individuals from various fields at this year’s TEDxStormont, taking place in the historic backdrop of the Great Hall at Stormont. We can certainly feel a sense of expectancy and excitement ahead of our 10th anniversary event”.
    Our fantastic speakers will help us to imagine how ideas, solutions and fresh opportunities for change and progress are always within reach”.

    Tickets and more information are available at www.tedxstormont.com.