Lights Out
What Happens Now?
From personal journeys to societal shifts, this theme delves into the profound question: what do we do when the familiar light dims, and we're faced with uncertainty?
Join us on a journey through life's uncharted moments on March, 23rd 2024 - mark your calendars now!
Get ready to explore how we #challenge adversity, #overcome obstacles, and #thrive in the path of uncertainty.
Keep an eye out for upcoming announcement about our incredible lineup of speakers and performers!
SPEAKERS
P.J. Wall
Adjunct Assistant Professor and Lecturer
Dr P.J. Wall holds the positions of Adjunct Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and Lecturer at Technological University Dublin, Ireland. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor with the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, and he lectures with the Global Development Institute at the University of Manchester. Dr Wall’s primary research interests focus on technology for sustainable global development, AI ethics, and technology for global development. He has a particular interest in the ethics of leveraging AI to address sustainability challenges in different social and cultural contexts in both the Global North and the Global South. Another main focus of Dr Wall’s work is digital innovation for healthcare in the Global South and the ethics of using AI and mobile technologies in this context. His PhD work examined mobile and digital health (mHealth) interventions in Sierra Leone, where he explored and theorised the social, cultural, political and ethical aspects of implementing, using and scaling mHealth technologies in low-resource contexts. Dr Wall leads various projects, including two Science Foundation Ireland funded projects studying the ethical use of technology in school students’ lives, and an Irish Higher Education Authority funded project on sustainability, technology, innovation, and ethics. He also leads the “AI, Ethics, and Technology” Special Interest Group in the ADAPT Centre, is a member of the steering committee of the DataEthics group in TCD, and is founder of the “Sustainability, Ethics, Technology, and Global Development” working group with the Development Studies Association of Ireland. Dr Wall has organised and chaired many international academic conferences. In addition, he is Senior Editor of the Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries (EJISDC), and Associate Editor for the Information Technology for Development (ITD) Journal. He was nominated for the Provost’s Excellence in Teaching Award in TCD in 2019, and he won the Education & Public Engagement Research Excellence Award with the ADAPT Centre in TCD in 2021. He has also received many other awards for his work, including from Yale University for his work on their Critical Realism Project.
Paul Franks
Director of the Department of Translational Medicine at the Novo Nordisk Foundation
As the Director of the Department of Translational Medicine at the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Prof Paul Franksis responsible for overseeing philanthropic initiatives in precision and translational medicine. He trained at the University of Cambridge in genetic and molecular epidemiology of cardiometabolic disease and has been a full professor at Lund University and Harvard School of Public Health since 2010. Since 2017, Paul has also been a visiting professor at the University of Oxford. Past roles include deputy director of Lund University Diabetes Center and Vice-President of the Nordic Society of Human Genetics and Precision Medicine. Paul’s contributions include co-chairing the ADA/EASD Precision Medicine in Diabetes Initiative and the NIDDK Heterogeneity of Diabetes Working Group of Council. With a publication record of more than 500 peer-reviewed papers and 250 invited lectures, Paul is recognized as one of the leading experts globally in precision diabetes medicine. Paul’s research interests span early life programming, gene-lifestyle interactions, and precision medicine, focusing on diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Paul has received prestigious awards including the EASD Rising Star Award, the Swedish Research Council Distinguished Young Researcher Award, The Novo Nordisk 'Leif Groop' Prize for Excellence in Diabetes Research, and an ERC Consolidator award.
Ida Kjos
Key-note, Podcaster, Board Professional, Lawyer
Ida Kjos is an award-winning former lawyer and general counsel, opinion leader, writer and keynote speaker. She left a successful and promising career in law for something unknown, facing the loss of her beloved twin sister. Ida has ever since made it her purpose to live a life that is true. In her talk she will inspire us to live, love and feel more. Ida became one of Sweden's youngest lawyers and was nominated for Lawyer of the Year and Rising Star by the newspaper Affärsvärlden. She has also been awarded for her work on equality in the legal industry. Ida currently runs the popular podcast "Kjos & Myran" about all of life's issues and takes on assignments as a board member. She is an immensely popular speaker who takes a firm hold of her audience right from the start. She has recently finished the stage performance "Kärlek och Mod" which was played to sold-out stands at Cirkus in Stockholm.
Henrik Wahlström
Author, director, lecturer, and popular influencer
Meet Henrik Wahlström, a growing name in the media with a passion for storytelling as an author and creative director. In 2008, his journey took an unexpected turn with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, sparking a profound transformation. In his quest to support others facing depression, stress, and NPF (Neuropsychiatric Disabilities) diagnoses, Henrik initiated the impactful campaign project Uppochner. Through this endeavor, he established a webshop channeling surplus to the esteemed organization, Mind, where he proudly serves as an ambassador. Despite the challenges of his chronic illness, Henrik Wahlström has forged a fulfilling path. His mission? To foster enhanced mental well-being for all, advocating for improved communication and a destigmatized perception of mental health. From media firms to universities, churches, and beyond, Henrik now shares his insights through compelling lectures. His ultimate goal? To demonstrate that mental illness doesn't have to dictate one's life, whether in the workplace, at home, or anywhere else.
Li Åslund
PhD in Psychology, Head of R&D at Mindler
Affiliated to Karolinska Institutet, Li Åslund received her PhD degree in psychology with research on adolescent sleep and behavioral treatment of insomnia. To this day, she is conducting research at Karolinska in the development and evaluation of psychological treatment methods within digital health care, striving to bring technology to the benefits of the patients. Dr. Åslund is strongly committed to use her profound background in psychology and expertise in sleep to inspire people to obtain a more well-rested lifestyle, and fits well to this year’s theme “Lights Out” as she will shed light on strategies to mitigate the risks with technology on sleep and how we should adapt to the technology around us in order to integrate it with psychology and science to redefine the future of healthcare and well-being.
Binette Seck
Social entrepreneur dedicated to democratizing tech worldwide, Obama Leader 2023
Meet Binette Seck, our distinguished sixth speaker. As a social entrepreneur and Obama Leader 2023, Binette is on a mission to democratize tech worldwide. Through her roles as the co-founder of ChangersTech and partner at iCog Anyone Can Code, she's empowering tens of thousands of young adults from under-resourced communities, providing them with access to transformative tech education and opportunities. Binette's journey from humble beginnings in Tensta, Stockholm, and Dakar to becoming an influential leader in the Swedish tech scene is truly inspiring. Her visionary concepts, such as the esteemed Space Academy at Space Stockholm, and impactful community-building initiatives with the renowned Brilliant Minds Foundation, reflect her unwavering dedication to creating positive change. Recognized as the IT Woman of the Year 2021, Binette is a staunch advocate for sustainable inclusivity, authentic leadership, and lasting impact. In addition to this prestigious accolade, Binette has been honored an additional 15 times for her outstanding contributions to tech, inclusion, and innovation. Join us as she shares her insights and inspires us to make a difference in the lives of future generations.
Aron Anderson
Motivational Speaker, Adventurer & Ambassador for cancer at World Health Organization
Just before turning eight, Aron Anderson received devastating news: he was diagnosed with cancer. On his eighth birthday, he underwent his first chemotherapy session. The aggressive cancer necessitated major surgery, leaving him wheelchair-bound. However, this operation also saved his life—a life he now embraces fully. Discover how Aron transformed adversity into triumph, achieving success in sports and underscoring the significance of health and the right mindset. Aron has conquered mountains such as Kilimanjaro and Kebnekaise and is now aiming to scale the challenging peaks of Matterhorn. He's also an avid skydiver, holding the Swedish record for the most parachute jumps—145 in less than 24 hours. One day, Aron pondered if it was possible to swim from Sweden to Finland. The only way to know was to try. Braving 13 hours of relentless waves and heavy rain, he crossed the tumultuous sea. His journey exemplifies that limitations mostly reside in our mindset and lack of perspective. Never let anyone dictate what's possible for you! Aron's lectures emphasize thankfulness and perspective and its critical role in driving change. The ability to use one's experiences to inspire others to achieve their goals is a powerful force. He aims to instill the belief that with the right drive, anything is achievable — from the minutest daily tasks to completely revolutionizing perspectives. Aron is a renowned keynote speaker and has been awarded "keynote speaker of the year". Aron's upcoming TEDxKI talk promises an enlightening journey into the realms of perspective and thankfulness, guiding us through the transformative power of seeing the world through the perspective of a disabled, limitless adventurer.
PERFORMERS
Royal Swedish Ballet School
Ballet SchoolThe Royal Swedish Ballet School in Stockholm aims to provide aspiring dance artists with an education from the first tentative steps in the elementary school grade 4 to graduation day. The program offers a safe environment in which the students can explore the body's endless opportunities for expression reinforced by sound professional artistic knowledge. On completion of the Junior Schools preparatory dance training our students can apply to be admitted to Upper School vocational dance training. We are proud to offer an education where the artistic and physical training go hand in hand to reach the professional standard and demands of today's dance scene. Both the Junior School and Upper School are open to applications from students nationwide. The vocational dance education is fully integrated in the daily academic schedule. The Upper School's course is specifically developed to provide a comprehensive professional education in dance in conjunction with relevant academic subjects. A three year course, the third year of the vocational dance program focuses on practical performance skills, apprenticeships and internships thus bridging the gap between student and professional.
Yoonsuk Choe
Multi-instrumental musicianYoonsuk Choe is a multi-instrumental musician originally from South Korea and lived in the USA for 12 years before moving to Stockholm. Music has been his best friend through his whole life and today he wants to be a friend with you through his music. "I would love to touch the hearts of the people with my music and make the world a better place!" Today, He will play beautiful music with an Indian flute, Handpans and Harmonica. Hope you will enjoy this time!
