Pugwash, Nova Scotia, April 22, 2024 – The world-acclaimed TEDx series will be coming to the historic seaside village of Pugwash, Nova Scotia when TEDxPugwash is presented at The Peace Hall on Sunday, June 9, 2024 from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
An organising committee of ten members of the local community have secured a license from the TED organisation to host the inaugural event which coincides with the organisation’s 40th anniversary.
In 1984, TED founder Richard Saul Wurman focused on technology, entertainment and design (and used TED as the concept’s acronym) in developing the mission of “ideas worth spreading”. The innovative storytelling platform has since become so influential in the development of game-changing initiatives that TED has decided to usher in their next 40 years with the mantra of “ideas change everything”.
Given Pugwash’s stature in the global movement for nuclear disarmament (the 1995 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs and scientist Sir Joseph Rotblat), the theme for TEDxPugwash 2024 is peace. Nine speakers, two of whom are students at Pugwash District High School, will use the Earth Charter’s definition of peace to craft their talks: “the wholeness created by right relationships with oneself, other persons, other cultures, other life, Earth, and the larger whole of which all are a part.”
“We are truly heartened by the diversity of thought and subject matter that our speakers represent and by their keen interest in participating in this inaugural event,” said Chair Gordon Johnson. “They’ve embraced the ethos of the TEDx series in examining the Earth Charter’s definition of peace from their perspective and experience.
“Our speakers include Halifax Business Leader of the Year, Bradley Daye; acclaimed author and explorer Dr. James Raffan; Dalhousie University Professor of Palliative Medicine Mary Ellen Macdonald; communications strategist, writer and composer Spencer Critchley; and Canadian Screen Award-winning cinematographer Guy Godfree, all of whom have close ties to Pugwash and the Northumberland Shore.
“We chose The Peace Hall because of all it represents in the history of the peace movement and because we felt it was prudent to choose a venue that would be a good testing ground for the community’s interest in having a TEDx event on the village’s calendar of events. However, The Peace Hall’s small performance space means that we can only accommodate 50 audience members. The good news is that those who aren’t able to purchase tickets will be able to view the TEDxPugwash talks online when they’re posted on our website a few days after the event.”
Tickets go on sale on Saturday, May 18, 2024. In order to establish an equitable way for members of the local community to attend TEDxPugwash, tickets will only be sold at the Pugwash Farmers’ Market.
Tickets are priced at $75.00 each and will be sold on a first-come, first served, cash-only basis, with a limit of two tickets per family unit. The ticket price includes a Nova Scotia- themed luncheon catered by renowned local chef Wally Vaters.
Read the TEDxPugwash Speakers’ bios here
Media Contact:
Wendy Davis Johnson
wendydavisjohnson@gmail.com