City TEDx a chance to inspire

A woman who fled with her family from Gloriavale, a former strike jet navigator turned anti-nuclear advocate and a leading professor on the rights of indigenous people – TEDxChristchurch features a diverse range of speakers.

While the eighth annual event may be sold out, those looking for inspiration can still watch via livestream tomorrow.

The non-profit event, which aims to ‘‘encourage wonder and exploration’’, is being held at the

203-seat capacity Old Boys’ Theatre, at Christ’s College, from

1pm until 6.30pm. Co-organiser Kaila Colbin said tickets were snapped up within an hour-and-a-half of going on sale – something she said attested to the level of interest in the event.

The panel of organisers always tried to bring in speakers that introduced the audience to ideas they had never heard of, let alone knew they would be interested in, she said.

‘‘We’re really looking for speakers who have a unique idea that isn’t something people have heard about a million times before, and this year I think we’ve definitively achieved our brief.’’

The 11 speakers included Jordan Watson, the creator of the hit ‘‘How to DAD’’ parenting videos, Los Angeles-based artist Kiel Johnson and retired Royal British Navy commander Robert Green, who went from navigating nuclear strike jets during the Cold War to advocating against the weapons’ use as deterrents.

Johnson last TEDxChristchurch years ago.

He invited the public to take part in a large-scale art project creating a model of Christchurch post-quake.

This year he was invited to attend the event in partnership with the Christchurch Art Gallery, where he spent Labour Weekend embarking on another collaborative project, South Island Field Notes.

For the full list of speakers and to stream live on Saturday, visit tedxchristchurch.com. attended a event five