On February 17, TED and Fulbrighters collaborated to hold the first TEDxFulbright in Asia, in the GRIPS Sokairo Hall. The event was held to promote the aim of Fulbright’s educational exchange activities – mutual understanding of different cultures – through the TED format. It was organized by the TEDxFulbright executive committee, formed of Fulbrighters with the common goal to “Connect the World”, and held with the cooperation of the Japan U.S. Educational Commission (Fulbright Japan), the U.S. Embassy in Japan, and GRIPS.

The event was split into a morning session, a lunch networking session, and an afternoon session. Before the talks began, Gregory Aurit, Education and Exchanges Officer from the U.S. Embassy, spoke about how the Fulbright program constantly supports people with ideas, and people who strive to make these ideas reality. Following this, GRIPS Professor Emeritus, Kiyoshi Kurokawa, took to the stage to talk about his involvement with the birth of TEDx. His remarks included an anecdote about how, when they thought the first TEDx had actually been held in Tokyo, it turned out that a university in South California had held one slightly earlier.

The program included talks by eight presenters, who each gave their own views on mutual understanding of different cultures, the founding principle of Fulbright.

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A high-school student who participated in the lunch networking session commented, “I saw the information about today’s event when I visited Tokyo from Kumamoto to take part in a business contest. I regularly watch (TED talks) on YouTube, so I’m really happy to be able to participate.” A GRIPS student from Tanzania added that there was a lot that spoke to them in the talks. The presenters and the participants seemed to greatly enjoy the opportunity to interact with each other.

The videos from TEDxFulbrightTokyo will be made available to view globally through the TEDxTalk YouTube channel in the near future.

TEDxFulbright Tokyo Website