We tracked down and interviewed past speakers to find out what they’ve been up to since they were on the TEDxNicosia stage.
Eloiza Savvidou
During her talk at TEDxNicosia 2013, Eloiza Savvidou had some thought-provoking questions for the audience: Was it your choice to work from 9 to 5? Was it your choice to retire at 65 and not 35? Why are we leading lives that do not bring us happiness? Looking ahead at your final moments will you say that your life was whatever you wanted it to be?
What was your idea worth spreading at TEDxNicosia about?
It was about how small shifts in the way we see the world can have a big impact in designing a history and a life that we love and are proud of.
Did you receive any feedback after your talk? If so, what was it?
A number of people contacted me via social media to extend their congratulations and say how helpful and inspiring they found the talk.
Since then, has your idea expanded to cover new ground?
My idea has not expanded to cover a new ground per se. Shifting our perception, the way we see things, is easier said than done. Since then I personally took actions to change my direction in life and see things a bit differently that led to major turnarounds in my life. When I gave the talk back in March 2013 I was still a lawyer. That’s it. I was feeling the waves of change happening but there was no solid result just yet. Since September 2013 however the seed was ready to grow. A series of events came so that I would become the first CEO of JA Cyprus the first organization in Cyprus promoting entrepreneurship and mindset shift in the students of Cyprus (primary and high schools). For the last 3 years therefore I ‘ve been working to help youngsters see things a little bit differently in a way that will massively help them in the future
Today, what kind of traces can be found leading back to your idea?
Being an agent of positive change, however small that might be, has now become my full time job!
What does the future hold for you and your idea?
Ah. No one can tell. I am allowing myself to enjoy the magic that I am experiencing now and follow my heart and intuition in regards to the next paths I am meant to follow.
You can watch Eloiza’s TEDxNicosia talk here.
Alexandros Charalambides
At TEDxNicosia in 2011 Alexandros Charalambides dove straight into one of the most upsetting topics regarding our world: electricity dependence. He zeroed in on Cyprus and the lack of use of renewable energy sources, he presented alarming statistics but more importantly he spoke about the positive impact each individual can make without depending on the government.
What was your idea worth spreading at TEDxNicosia about?
My idea was based on how to enable the public to get engaged in saving energy. How by having easy access to information we can all make a change on how to save energy and how to live more environmentally friendly.
Did you receive any feedback after your talk? If so, what was it?
I did not receive any feedback that was based on my idea but I met with Paris and Deano and Eloiza and we started Chrysalis LEAP together. It is a completely different idea but it has a common interest: To help Cyprus.
Since then, has your idea expanded to cover new ground?
Yes. One of the ideas presented on how to display energy data of buildings on a map was recently funded by the European Union under the H2020 programme. The funding will be used to develop ENERFUND which is a tool that will rate and score deep renovation opportunities. Something like a credit score used by banks to rate clients. The tool will be based on a methodology to be developed and on a set of parameters such as EPC data, a number of certified installers, governmental schemes running, etc.
Today, what kind of traces can be found leading back to your idea?
By providing a rating for deep renovation opportunities whether this is for private establishments or for public buildings, funding institutes can provide targeted loans, retrofit companies can identify sound opportunities, municipalities can promote targeted incentives and the public’s trust for retrofitting will be enhanced.
What does the future hold for you and your idea?
I have no idea! New doors open all the time, new friends come along with new possibilities. Participating at TEDxNicosia opened the first of a series of doors.
You can watch Alexandros’ TEDxNicosia talk here.
