TEDxNewy Speaker Conor Ashleigh: “Better to have loved & lost…”
TED is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to ‘ideas worth spreading’ and culminates in 2 annual conferences that feature an array of amazing speakers. In the past, this has included Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Google’s Larry Page & Sergey Brin & Bono. TEDx events capture the enthusiasm, passion and knowledge of the TED philosophy and transport them to communities all over the world, presenting independent events often featuring local presenters & projects.
Newcastle is hosting its first TEDx event this weekend, TEDxNewy. The day will cover topics such as How I threw away my camera and became a film-maker and Let’s make stroke sexy, and feature a selection of speakers with a special connection to Newcastle.
Conor Ashleigh is a visual story teller who through his passion for reporting social and environmental stories, has spent his life working with organisations such as AusAID, Unicef, Greenpeace and The Asia Foundation.
Urban Insider spoke with Conor, ahead of his presentation at TEDxNewy this Saturday…
How did your love of photography begin?
My photography began at age 18 when I was volunteering in India for 6 months and I started to find that I was in need of a creative vehicle to tell stories and a camera was it.
Did you imagine that it would take you around the world? How did that all begin?
My passion for social justice came before the medium of the camera and only complements it, so in effect I am doing exactly as I would’ve before but now just using a camera to tell stories as opposed to dedicated volunteering projects or being in communities through other means.
What does travelling & reporting social & environmental stories mean to you?
It means giving voice to under reported issues, allowing the many stories that go unheard become a little more exposed.
What is your favourite quote?
“Better to have loved and lost/ than never to have loved at all”. You gotta have a big heart in this game!
What is your favourite thing about Newcastle?
I am 10 minutes from beautiful beaches for a surf or swim, good coffee everywhere I turn now and also a great art culture. I also really appreciate the cultural diversity in the African, Arab and Asian communities who call Newcastle home, many people wouldn’t realise the number of incredible cultures here in Newcastle!
What do you think events like TEDxNewy mean for Newcastle?
TEDx is a great event for Newcastle as it allows a range of interesting people with compelling professions/stories to share them with an engaged audience, should be more events like this in my opinion.
Tickets to TEDxNewy, being held this Saturday, 12 November at The Playhouse at Civic Theatre, have sold out. You don’t have to miss out on the action however, with overflow seating and a live screening of the talks in City Hall’s Mulubinba Room from 9am till 5.30pm. Alternatively anyone can watch the talks live via webstream at the TEDxNewy website.
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