What happens when you bring people together who are passionate about different things in life and give them a platform to share their ideas with others?

When you have ideas and gather people together, have inspired speakers to share knowledge and thoughts – it is the most inspiring thing. That is the core of what TED’s mission is.

Now there are independently organised TED-like events internationally which help more people who can’t make it to the global TED events to also plug in to their communities and share ideas and inspiration. These events are called TEDx events.

TEDxWomen is an international event that is dedicated to women all over the world to plug in, share stories and inspiration about issues that face women in different fields. It is an event that showcases amazing works of women – in the same spirit of “Ideas worth spreading”.

This year’s theme worldwide was “THE SPACE BETWEEN” – and all over the world from November 30 – December 1 2012 women gathered and shared stories and inspiration around that theme.

Capturing the space between…
Photo credit: TEDxWomen website

I will share this quote from the official TEDxWomen website;

“TEDxWomen has the power to change communities, and when linked together, change the world,” Pat Mitchell, CEO and President of The Paley Center for Media said. “Now, more than ever, women have seen their collective power when they work together, share ideas, and elevate each other’s voices.”

Uganda, had it’s first TEDxWomen event that was dabbed TEDxKiraTownWomen held on December 1, 2012 – and I must say, it was such a great event. Esther Akello Patricia – read her profile here, was the main organiser of the event together with Maureen Agena, Sarah Kiden and Rachel Aye.

TEDxKiraTownWomen Organizers, from left Esther, Sarah, Rachel and Maureen
Photo credit: TEDxKiraTownWomen flickr page

I love working with women, and I love plugging in with likely minded women to share ideas and challenges – like Pat Mitchell put it, women have seen their collective power when they work together, share ideas and elevate each other’s voices – this is what it is all about.

The event had an amazing line of speakers who really inspired me a lot, you can see a full line of the TEDxKiraTownWomen event here
I was honored to be part of the line- up of speakers but the highlight for me was seeing how far we have come as women – to what opportunities we have a head of us when we realize the power we have.

Evelyn presenting at TEDxKiraTownWomen
Photo credit: TEDxKiraTownWomen Flickr page

I will quote Michael Niyitegeka >> He said “Many of us are like someone watching their favorite television show, but we do not have the remote control, it is time to take back the remote and be in control of our lives and destiny” – What a rich analogy. Now is the time for us Women to take the remote and start controlling how we want to live our lives.

Michael delivering his TED talk to the audience
Photo credit: TEDxKiraTownWomen Flickr page

A big thank you to the organizers for bringing TEDxWomen to Uganda and we look forward to more inspiring, motivating and engaging events.

Interacting with my favorite Tech women – Lillian Achom, and Nodumo Dhlamini from AfCHIX
Photo credit: TEDxKiraTownWomen Flickr page

To the next TEDxWOMEN!