Shirley Osei-Mensah, Student, blogger and Internet entrepreneur

I decided to speak at TEDxYouthInspire 2010 because I wanted to share my experiences in life and what I learned with young people like me and the whole world as a whole, to inspire them in living their lives.

I think the whole TEDxYouthInspire 2010 event was a great success and it was very inspiring and motivating.

Yawa-Hansen-Quao, Social activist and travel professional

It was a great honor for me to have been invited to speak at TEDxYouthInspire. I chose to speak on the topic “Redefining Empowerment” because I believe there needs to be more mainstream discussion on how BOTH genders need to change in order to see a future with fewer divorces, more successful female leaders & confident, responsible men etc. To me, the solution is easy; we need to help men and women build confidence, enhance skills and foster positive relationships.

Participating was definitely worthwhile and I would have loved more conversation/discussion time. TEDxYouthInspire was proof positive that there does exist a pool of vibrant young Africans whose voices should be heard.

For the future, we should remain in contact and perhaps meet periodically to share more ideas “worth spreading” and catch up on the progress of our individual initiatives.

Aboyeji E Iyinoluwa, Student leader and writer

I had a slightly different experience from everyone else because I was “virtually present”. It was about 5 am on the east coast and I must admit, I did nod a little but altogether it was very good from what I saw.

At first, I thought I would not have much to say but then I decided to use the opportunity to out a project I had been working on concerning entrepreneurship education and higher education.

It would have been great to be physically present. Pre-recorded videos are all good but they don’t make for the best TED talks.

All in all, I am glad that distance did not prevent me from connecting with all the wonderful people.

All in all, it is interesting and heartwarming to realize that TEDxYouthInspire was not only inspiring to the attendees but to the speakers as well. What remains is how to translate this positive outflow of youthful energy into concrete action.

“TEDxYouthInspire was a good start to a conversation that I believe should not end with just this maiden event. I am interested in collaborating to host more of such programs where we can share the ideas worth spreading.”

–Yawa Hansen-Quao, TEDxYouthInspire Speaker

“I found the recorded talks very effective especially the one from the former Sudanese war child. The inclusion of the recorded talks made the program more unique and less like many other such talks.”

–Abokuma Ellis, 25

“This event is the first time we have successfully deployed a webcast despite the connectivity challenges. I believe that the team was very dedicated to the course, which is missing in many teams I have worked with in the past.”

–TEDxYI team member

View photos and stay update with TEDxYouthInspire on Facebook.

TEDxYouthInspire: A full house

TEDxYI: During a break

Enjoying a talk

Joseph Quaye Amoo from partner organization Speak Africa

All photos by Rodney Quarcoo. View more photos and stay update with TEDxYouthInspire on Facebook.

Busy Internet

TEDxYouthInspire was an unequivocal success thanks in part to our wonderful sponsors. Thank you to Google, SpotOne Global Solutions, BarCamp Africa UK, Coca-Cola, YFM, fie.nipa, BusyInternet, Web4Africa, Ghana Think, MyJoyOnline.com, Dream the Planet, Alicia Boone, Stephanie Land, Suuch Solutions, Maya Azucena and M.anifest for supporting TEDxYI and the innovation of young people in Ghana!

Coca-Cola

Google

All photos by Rodney Quarcoo. View more photos and stay update with TEDxYouthInspire on Facebook.