TEDxUChicago is a beautiful place to share thoughts and ideas with a very diverse audience. I had the opportunity to attend in 2012, and I liked the way everyone was interested to hear new ideas and projects. Cancer is a topic that is around all of us, I mean, everyone knows someone that has or had cancer and TEDxUChicago could help with the wide spread of my cancer project. I wish to hear feedback from the audience from students and to get more people involved. My project in general is a way in which people can help without going to hospitals or speaking face to face with cancer patients. People can help by sharing comments in the website, drawings, poetry, or whatever you want to give us help inspire these young adults.

The princess-ification of our daughter's childhood is overwhelming, even to people who cherish princess fairy tales. The lack of choice for girls is what is frustrating. When a character is introduced that is an alternative, eventually even she is princess-fied. I have my favorites princesses, love fairy tales and am a feminist who is raising a daughter. When she was born, I thought it would be impossible. I tried to ban princess things, but that quickly was futile. Thanks to my love for a certain 1977 sci-fi flick with a kick ass princess, this idea was born. I replicated it with a warrior princess and recalling that Diana Prince is short for Diana, a princess.

Most nonprofits and aid organizations subscribe to the idea that community-led development is important, sustainable, and necessary...on paper. However, when it comes time to make a change in the world, we too often resort to heavy-handed, large-scale development efforts run from offices far away, and far removed , rather than empowering locals to address their own problems. I want to talk about how community-led development is the most effective and sustainable way to fight poverty; and as an added benefit, it costs less to implement. In the wake of KONY:2012, I believe the time has come for a frank discussion about locals changing their own lots in life.

As a therapist, i am driven by the goal of helping people improve their lives and relationships. I have been working with people facing a range of challenges since 1995 and spent over two years training trauma counselors in post-conflict West Africa. Thinking and working from a narrative perspective led me to establish Survivors’ Truths, a non-profit that works with groups affected by violence and discrimination, using collaborative media projects to bring out the parts of their story that don’t usually get much attention - the parts about how they have faced difficulty and come through. The process can be life-changing for participants and, when shared with others, can shift the script about that group in profound ways.

I just got back from TEDxUChicago 2012 and it was fantastic. I'm the founder of the Windy City Trickers and I'd love to share the magic that is flight with the rest of the world.

I "finished" this project a year and a half ago, but I know it is not truly concluded. As I have learned from my project, social change does not happen only by bettering one's self, but also by sharing those changes and ideas with others. I know that this is the foundation of TED talks and believe this is the perfect opportunity for me to continue sharing my experiences with others.

The ex-gay and ex-ex-gay populations have never been examined thoroughly in a digital journalism piece from an objective angle. If this isn't a revolutionary, controversial and necessary issue to talk about, I don't know what is.

U of Chicago's Chicago School is renowned around the world for its Economics program. Its been the home of economic theory in the western world for the 20th century. Its the perfect venue to discuss a new tax concept that proposes replacing the system we have had for 80+ years with one that leverages modern technology to change how taxes are collected. It would have massive positive impact on our economy and industry. No more tax returns would save billions of hours and trillions of dollars. No more tax lobbying would force companies to ask for direct government grants. Far lower taxes and simplified tax system would encourage middle class to spend and build companies. the list goes on.. more info at thetransactiontax.org

I believe in the power of story and the sanctity of the written word. I believe that if you offer encouragement to anyone to tell his or her personal truth, it sparks empathy, understanding and personal connection beyond the words written. It moves a notion or experience from the ephemeral to the eternal. .I want to help others explore the power of writing as a term of negotiation relating the self to the larger world. I want to reinforce that anyone can turn memory into a meaningful legacy, understanding that honesty in written words can reinforce the integrity of a life. Once shared, writing can create a bond with writer and the reader of his or her words to lessen the burden of each person's life and move toward honor.

CBL is a unique organization because its vision is to function with dual purposes that embrace each other for a greater purpose. On university grounds, CBL is a league that serves individuals from all dimensions of a university Off campus, CBL utilizes the incredible resources that it has through its network to serve its local youth as a community outreach program. CBL believes that with this unique approach to community organizing and outreach through a beloved sport, it can make a empowering impact on communities throughout the Chicago area. As it seeks to connect with other universities such as the U of C, CBL believes that TEDXUCHICAGO is the perfect opportunity to share its unique vision. For more information, please visit chibbl.com.

TEDXUCHICAGO will in an amazing way both benefit from a paradigm shifting perspective on this culture war... and ideate aspects of our peace plan The US and Euro Zone has achieved gender equality in education, the same goal is currently well funded in developing economies. But only 35% of top tier female graduates work full time nine years after graduation - mostly due to the core Mommy War issue "who takes care of the kids" The costs of war is wasted resources. The Mommy Wars... waste women's/societal resources because the choice to stay home with kids is due to a lack of good enough alternatives. Gender equality in education cannot translate to gender equality in leadership until the Mommy Wars end.

Learning about the theory of evolution changed my life. I want to teach other kids, that science doesn't necessarily contradict their beliefs and that having a strong scientific background, leads to a far more curious mind and a love for discovery. We cannot let ourselves fall to the surmise of belief without proper, critical thought. In instilling a hatred for science, we cause ourselves, our families,and future generations to dismiss science and ultimately raise a lack of wonder concerning the natural world. Alternatively, with a belief that science disproves religion without question, causes hostility and a lack of trust in science. It is vital that we reconcile beliefs to push scientific inquiry and discovery in young minds forward.

MY PASSION FOR/BELIEF IN THIS CONCEPT. When we design using systems thinking, we re-invent the way we manufacture products, practice agriculture, generate energy & provide infrastructure. Safely. Intelligently. Regeneratively. This idea can be implemented & scaled to any size community virtually anywhere in the world, from a city park or single farm to vast forest tracts. Costs are modest relative to impact and productivity. It creates jobs/training--from unskilled laborers to science researchers-- regenerates soils & forests and integrates ancient practices with 21st century engineering. It's a stimulus for community self-sufficiency and localized economy while managing risk and optimizing resource stewardship.

My project is global and it can change and save lives around the world.

We have no time to loose! " The Lord God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it. Genesis 2:15 We as a world are doing a heck of a job in working this land, but are we watching over it? We came up with a model that forms local Communal Forest Banks (just like Bank Branches) in the Rainforest and within communities that own tracts of Forest. The idea is to provide them with resources for them to live in a more sustainable way. This is relevant because for the first time individuals and/or businesses in developed economies can have their very own forest account, that provides that best return, in the form of ecological services. Ted audiences can mobilize resources and be an epicenter for innovation.

I am incredibly eager to share NBA Math Hoops with TEDXUCHICAGO because the Chicago community needs NBA Math Hoops! A recent study showed that some of Chicago's public school perform as poorly as schools in the developing world. I hope to inspire action in the Chicago area, not only around math, but around public school reform in general.

I think there is something deeper going on with Kickstarter that might be repeated in other media, other formats. This may be a model for helping us retain a sense of our humanity in the face of the ever dehumanizing pace of technology. I think artists need to hear how this does more than raises money. Kickstarter combines Social Networking and the Arts in a hands-on community driven way that makes the endeavor of the artist more three-dimensional and begins to hint toward making the practice of art a real livelihood.

As written above, I feel as if these ideas, when understood by a mass, could change how society views itself and, consequentially, progress our kind forward.

TEDx Chicago would attract the type of audience who can have a positive viral effect on this project

HFC once had a vision of a Campus D'Espoir (Campus of Hope), but with the lack of funding/direction, it halted with only an architectural Master Plan and some cool 3D models: http://issuu.com/hfccamp. I'm dedicating this Bit of Earth to the rising generation of Haitian young adults in Port-au-Prince. I believe that this educational initiative can provide a hands-on opportunity for students to make a difference in their country. The 16 acres we have is idly standing by, waiting to make an impact---I'm burden by the thought of losing the land because it wasn't utilized. I don't want to give up! I understand the power of social media and TED. I want them to be the backbone of this project as we give purpose to this land.