Full disclosure: Madafan author is one of the official blogger for this TEDxAntananrivo event, so expect more posts and tweets about this event for the coming week. I jumped into this opportunity so as to showcase a more optimistic and active Madagascar rather than relay the not-so-shiny news about the never-ending kids play political events happening in my country now.

So, I’ve made my homework about the TED event.Remember-  I asked Madafan readers on a recent post about what a TED event is.

So, let’s do some housekeeping first  the event date and place has changed. It will now be hosted by the Madagascar Development Learning Center (near to the foreign ministry office in Anosy) on saturday 27th 2010. Please use the “reschedule” feature of whatever organizer you have   Sounds to be a more “formal” place to play the “ideas worth spreading” game instead of having it in a café where it’s really easy to invite someone sip a whisky while the event is still going on (just kidding, the topics will be too interesting that you won’t even the time flying)

Frankly speaking, when I was first contacted to become an official blogger for this event, I was thinking: why not? This can be a “nice” opportunity to network. Didn’t expect it would align the “big guys”. Check it out by yourself by reading  the event program (the comments in italic are my own and do not tie the organisers

Session 1: listening to nature

Jennie Raharivola : Musician (she loves singing for humanitarian causes)

Harinjaka Ratozamanana: TEDx Antananarivo (the guy who shakes-it-all)

Rabary Désiré: Environmental defender (have you ever tried to Google this name? Holy kaw, this guy is incredible- a private reserve of his own?)

Adrian Mol: from bushproof.com

A tortoise expert from WWF: (well he probably will talk about… tortoises challenges)

And that’s only the first part

Session 2: Emerging design

Miora Rajaonary: PAPMAD (if you have any TEDxAntananarivo-related anecdote about what she’s doing, feel free to add it to the comment section

Alice Plane: ashoka.org (personally, I just discovered this organization, but what they are doing sounds really interesting. What do you think?)

Solofo Jonis: inventor (so Malagasy inventors are also active and target-high… Great, always feels good to find malagasy peers achieving great things)

Anja Besson: designer

Yvan Acker: Makaty.net (I know it’s off-topic, but this guy has taken photo portraits of the most beautiful Malagasy girls, and a Mac user- two reasons to believe he’s familiar with design.. and beauty 

Andrew T: Toughstuffonline.org (you’ve probably seen those toughstuff lights they sell in  rural areas in Madagascar)

Session 3: ideas worth spreading

Mandrantosoa Ndrianiaina: Jojopil innovations (he’s also part of the organising team)

Audrey de Fondaumière: youtaa.com

Erik Hersman: IHub Nairobi

Bienvenu Rajonson: World Bank

Jean Emilien Rakotondrasana: Musician (hey, this guy has already been awarded international recognitions: « Certificate of Honor for excellence in Diatonic tremolo by SPAH –IHO-HOHNER » in Detroit-USA, he even opened a Carlos Santana concert in 1992… Waoow, hats-off)

I told you- mind-blowing people who achieved a lot, and are still doing a lot in their “corner”… Now it’s time for “ideas worth sharing”

Now’s your turn to do your homework and check about what these people or entities has achieved so far. One thing’s for sure, from where I come, some are  under-the-radar people/organizations that deserves a lot more exposure. I’m sure you do think too- and you can be part of the adventure by spreading the word about this TEDxAntananarivo event. One step at a time we can eventually move forward to the “time to go green” theme so that the “red island” will be the most green island that existed ever.

Action: share it, like it on facebook, tweet it or shout it loud from your roof (be careful however so that neighbours don’t get their dog barking at you – disclaimer: TEDxAntananarivo can’t be held for responsible for any “damage” other than opening your mind to the “ideas worth spreading” )