Theme: Moments of Meaning: Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary

TEDxErasmusUniversityCollege invites our audience to reflect on the profound impact of daily actions. We often overlook simple habits we perform automatically, and rarely question the effect they have long-term. Through this event, we encourage our public to rethink how these seemingly insignificant moments shape our identity, habits, and culture, revealing the extraordinary in the ordinary.

KINO Rotterdam
Gouvernestraat 129-133
Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, 3014 PM
Netherlands

Carola Verschoor

Beyond the Ordinary: Design for Meaningful Change

Carola Verschoor is a transformation designer and thought leader with 25+ years of experience guiding individuals and teams through impactful, design-driven transformations. Motivated by a mission to (r)evolutionize change in a complex world, she contributes to creating a kinder, more prosperous future across industries and cultures. As an author, speaker, and chief creative at Transformational Studio, Carola ignites actionable change, sparks meaningful innovation, and inspires lasting transformation.

Enya Al Nemnom

Dancing Under Missiles: Resilience in the Face of War

Enya is a 19 year-old student, majoring in International Law and Political Science in Rotterdam. She grew up in Beirut, Lebanon, one of the most beautiful but complicated country to her eyes. She left home at 16 years old, the impact of the political and economic crisis and August 4 overweighted her love for Lebanese food, so she took her bags and left to navigate a different life in Europe. This experience taught her adaptability but also deepened her awareness of injustice and the failures of global systems. Witnessing firsthand how international law often falls short has driven her commitment to reform it. Her story is not just hers, it’s tied to Lebanon’s struggles, and her voice is fuelled by a determination to create change.

Erika Magyrosi

How reading can save you years (even if you don't have the time)

Erika Magyarosi is a high-impact reading, time and knowledge mastery expert with over 16 years' experience helping over 15,000 people - from students to top executives, business owners, professors and political leaders - take control of their time, increase their life satisfaction and achieve what once seemed impossible. She holds degrees in Philosophy from Romania and Sociology from the University of Tübingen, Germany, having studied in two countries at the same time. Before starting her own business, she worked as a PR consultant, gaining deep insights into communication and strategy. Her methods help clients double or even triple their reading speed, but more importantly, they learn to apply what they read, work with purpose and finally finish their long-stalled "zombie projects". In her time management seminars, she teaches how to turn "Mission Impossible" into "Mission Possible" - helping people achieve ambitious goals they once thought unattainable.

Kaisla Majapuro

Redefining Belonging in Non-Places

Raised in Hong Kong but with Finnish roots, Kaisla's experiences as a Third Culture Kid have given her unique insights into navigating multiple cultures and spaces that don’t fit traditional definitions of home. Drawing on her personal journey and psychological theory, she is eager to explore how globalisation redefines our sense of belonging and offers a new lens to understand identity in an interconnected world.

Sanne Koevoets

The Visible Mend: A Manifesto for Material, Social and Symbolic Repair

Sanne Koevoets is a crafty queer feminist living in Amsterdam with her partner Hade, their (part-time) kid Lieuwe and their cat KimChi. She holds a PhD in gender studies, with a focus on art, media and culture, and works at Erasmus University College as the head of the Humanities department. In her free time she is invested in crafting as a creative, regenerative, and speculative practice. She dreams of integrating craft-based pedagogies into Liberal Arts & Sciences education.

Sofia van Buuren

The Sleep-Study Connection: How Better Rest Unlocks Focus, Memory, and Academic Success

During a mental dip, Sofia researched ways to heal herself and discovered biohacking: Changing one’s lifestyle to boost cognition, well-being, and longevity. Two years later, she's happier and healthier than ever, she eats brain-boosting foods, breathes for energy, and exercises for longevity. She's become a biohacking entrepreneur, promoting prevention through lifestyle, and optimizing people's health with simple, science-based tips. Now, she's excited to share with the audience what she's learned about sleep and productivity.

Steve Kennedy

Tackling sustainability challenges systemically

Steve Kennedy is an Associate Professor of Business Sustainability at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University. His research and teaching focuses on how systems and resilience thinking can help organisations tackle sustainability challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.