TEDxWeekendSingapore was a unique three-day event reconnecting the APAC community of TEDx organisers post-pandemic, fostering new alliances, sharing best practices, and learning from each other to continue spreading local ideas.
Seeing familiar faces after 2.5 years, meeting new people, and sharing experiences in a warm context (both weather-wise and emotionally) made the event memorable.
Through various activities and workshops, we explored Singapore’s focus on technology, sustainability, architecture, and inclusion under the theme “Same, same, but different”.
We saw Singapore through alternative tours, heard tales of conservation in ‘shophouses’, and explored inclusive spaces. The contrast between traditional architecture and the technology-oriented city posed an ethical dilemma: should historic buildings be preserved when current generations struggle to find affordable housing in a city with limited space?
We heard from Caroline Burke and Will Davis from TED Conferences; Charu Kokate, an architect of many Marina Bay buildings and Changi Airport Group’s Jewel; Clifford Teo Jian Lun from ARC the Community; Seng Choon Koh from Dignity Kitchen Hong Kong 厨尊; Jesher L. from Ya Kun Kaya Toast; Honor Harger from ArtScience Museum Singapore; and visited venues like Resorts World Sentosa, S.E.A. Aquarium, SG Enable Enabling Village, and The Brewerkz Company Orchard Rendezvous.
This was also my first international flight in a while! I joined TEDxCanberra as a volunteer in 2018 (thanks, Chun-Yin San) and still love it. Thanks again to Vivian Lim and the TEDxSingapore team for another fantastic event and being great hosts!
Gonzalo Collarte 