Oleksandra Balyasna, Founder and Chairwoman of our Ukrainian partnering parent organisation Early Birds / Ранні пташки, was a speaker at the renown TED Talks. Under the motto: ‘UnSeen Power – how to change the world through our decision and actions’, 100 attendees joined the regional TEDx event at the Bel etage Concert Hall in Kyiv, end of October.
TED is a non-profit organisation devoted to spreading ideas in the form of short, powerful talks. TED was initiated in 1984 as a conference about Technology, Entertainment and Design. Today it covers almost all topics, from science to business to global issues, and spreads these messages in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independently run so-called TEDx events help to share ideas in communities around the world.
The atmosphere at TEDx was innovative, inspiring and simply captivating. All presenters shared their unique stories of superpower and conveyed very strong messages.
“Preparing for the talk was tough.”, remembers Oleksandra. ”I had several rehearsals, my speech was videotaped and a group of people watched my performance and gave feedback on where and how I could improve. I am really grateful for this experience because I learnt some good techniques on how to avoid nervousness and talk confidently to bigger audiences. For example, breathing deeply, doing some physical exercises before going on stage like jumping up and down and recalling the message to yourself that you want to deliver – you are important, the message itself and idea is what matters. These three principles helped me to be more focused and organised.”
In her talk, Oleksandra shared her personal story of becoming a premature mother and gradually showing the whole context and power of patient organisations. Also, how she ended up joining EFCNI as well as some of the endeavours of EFCNI. Up and foremost, she highlighted that uniting efforts really can introduce changes. Changes that are needed in healthcare systems and in the way society approaches and handles the needs of preterm born babies and their families. “Only within a dialogue of government, doctors – specialists, parents and pharmaceutical companies, it is possible to find the best solution for the best future of our babies. After all, everyone can be affected.”
Watch the talk here (in Ukrainian): www.ted.com/talks/oleksandra_balyasna
