TEDx Euston

I am excited to see that TED the not-for profit free talks to the world organisation has franchised out its concept, allowing groups and networks to set up events in their likeness under the TEDx banner. The mission of ‘Ideas worth spreading’ still applies. TEDx Euston will take place on Saturday 27 November, at University College London, Gower St, from midday to 8pm. It costs £50, but before you pay you will have to fill in an application form and be approved to attend. There are only 100 places available. The website looks good but I found it a bit clunky to use. Instead go to their blog – its hyperlinked from the top left hand corner of the webpage, read the story dated 8 August and register for a place from there - http://www.tedxeuston.com/abouttedx.html Once you have been accepted you will probably have to have a Paypal account in order to make payment – which is actually only £40 with the early bird discount, which ends on 31 August. [Yes, it's the most I have ever spent on a book event, I did have a few intakes on breath on the cost!]

However, It looks like it will be a truly amazing day - I only have total praise for whoever has put the programme of speakers together. Under the title of Our Destiny in Our Hands a wonderful mix of thinkers and doers will be talking about Africa. The speakers include authors Petina Gappah and Hannah Pool, the Nigerian publisher Muhtar Bakare – who I am so looking forward to hearing; the Ugandan activist Winnie Ssanyu-Sseruma, and Kemi Adeyoki the Conservative party candidate who stood against Tessa Jowell in the UK's May elections. The journalists/authors Michela Wrong and Richard Dowden (also of the Royal African Society) will be taking part too, and so hopefully by 27 November I will have read both their books It's Our Turn to Eat: The Story of a Kenyan Whistleblower and Africa: Altered States Ordinary Miracles,  which I am embarrassed to say have been on my bookshelves for months and months – well actually a couple of years in the case of the latter.