As one of TEDxCanberra’s 2016 Event Partners, Wisdom Learning has contributed a number of in-kind services. Wisdom Learning is a local Registered Training Organisation which has operated in Canberra for close to 20 years, and offers and professional development, vocational education and training and a range of other consultancy services.
Wisdom Learning’s Managing Director, Rod Hattch, recently attended the University of Canberra’s High School Student Open Mic night, a TEDxCanberra Adventure. The Open Mic Night gave ACT and regional high school students the opportunity to experience a TEDxCanberra-like stage to share their ideas with our audience.
Nine courageous young people each gave a maximum five-minute talk,covering topics as broad as health and exercise, climate change, and the education system, through to gun laws, aspirations, and magic and the wonder of illusion.
“The kids were just amazing,” said Rod, “and I was struck by how well thought out and constructed their talks were. The whole evening confirmed my sense of hope about this generation of young people, and I left feeling very optimistic about our collective future.”
Rod decided that, as part of Wisdom Learning’s support for TEDxCanberra this year, he would fund the registration costs for the young people who spoke on the night.
“I’m delighted we could contribute this way,” said Rod. “It ensures all of those students had the opportunity to attend TEDxCanberra. I fully expect we’ll see at least one of them on the main stage at some point in the future.”
Every year, TEDxCanberra sets aside a minimum of 10% of its allocated seating space to ensure students who register to attend with a paying teacher, or other people who might not otherwise be able to attend our event, can attend for free. Wisdom Learning’s contribution was separate to this allocation.
By Melanie Olde