Unwritten Letters: Voicing the Unspoken
Our lives are filled with thoughts, emotions, and reflections that often remain unexpressed. TEDxKI’s theme, “Unwritten Letters: Voicing the Unspoken,” invites speakers to explore these hidden truths, like letters never sent or words left unsaid. From personal reflections to bold ideas, this theme delves into the stories and perspectives that challenge, inspire, and connect us. What do we discover when we give voice to the unspoken?
We invite you to #advocate for hidden truths, #reflect on untold stories, and drive meaningful #change!
Keep an eye out for upcoming announcement about our incredible lineup of speakers and performers!
SPEAKERS
Elin Bergman
”Circular Economy Queen of Sweden”
Elin Bergman is known for being the "Circular Economy Queen of Sweden", is named LinkedIn Top Green Voice and is a recognized international keynote speaker. She works as a Circular Impact Officer and spokesperson of the Swedish circular economy business network Cradlenet, and is also one of the co-founders of the Nordic Circular Hotspot, a collaboration platform for accelerating circular economy in the region. She has also recently become a Founding Member of the Circular Economy Coalition - an international coalition of value-aligned individuals and organisations collectively advancing the circular economy through shared tools and resources, bridging the Global North and Global South. For many years she worked as circular economy expert at WWF Sweden, where she developed the international circular economy network Baltic Stewardship Initiative, to enable the recirculation of nutrients in the Baltic Sea region in the agri-food sector. Elin also practices what she preaches and stopped flying 12 years ago for climate reasons, and instead takes the train or sails to her destinations, she is a vegetarian since 25 years, stopped consuming unnecessary things and clothes and only buys second hand and vintage if she needs anything and have had many “no consumption at all” years. By doing this and still looking good and professional on the world stages she shows that living within the planetary boundaries is not hard and you can still look good and have a wonderful life doing it.
Valerie Porr
Founder and president of TARA4BPD - Borderline Personality Disorder advocate
Valerie Porr began her career as a fashion designer and artist in New York, with work exhibited at institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her focus shifted when a family member was diagnosed with a mental illness, and she realized the significant gaps in research, treatment, and understanding of personality disorders. In response, she founded TARA4BPD in 1995, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocacy, education, and research for Borderline Personality Disorder. Since then, she has worked to improve access to evidence-based treatment, organize conferences, and promote research into new therapeutic approaches, including psychedelics and mentalization-based therapy. Her talk will discuss how a deeper understanding of the biological aspects of mental illness can reduce stigma, inform better treatment, and highlight the role of human connection in recovery.
Hani Khalifa
Senior Consultant & Chief Medical Doctor | Family Medicine Specialist
Hani Khalifa is a physician specializing in Family Medicine and currently serves as the Senior Consultant and Chief Medical Doctor at Järva Urgent Care Center. He also holds an affiliated lecturer position at the Center for Health Crises at Karolinska Institute. With a strong interest in global health, particularly in the medical-humanitarian field, he has worked extensively with individuals and communities affected by conflict, epidemics, natural and human-made disasters, and those excluded from essential healthcare. His experience with internationally renowned organizations such as Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has provided him with invaluable insight into direct patient care, project leadership, and health policy development across diverse contexts. Previously, he served as the Vice President of the Swedish section of MSF and had a brief but enriching assignment with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva. These experiences expanded his understanding of healthcare delivery in resource-limited and crisis settings. In addition to his clinical and humanitarian work, he has taught at several prestigious Swedish universities, including Karolinska Institute, Umeå University, and Uppsala University, focusing on Global Health, Disaster Health Assistance, Epidemiology, and Infectious Diseases. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he played a key role as an expert medical doctor on the Crisis Management Team at the Swedish National Board for Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen), contributing to Sweden’s response efforts.. For his TEDxKI talk, Hani Khalifa will take the audience on a journey behind the scenes of medical humanitarian work, sharing the stories of the people he has encountered along the way. His experiences have shown him that medicine extends beyond physical treatment. Sometimes simply listening to untold stories and giving them a voice can be just as powerful as medical interventions. Through his talk, he will explore the deeper meaning of healing, where storytelling becomes a vital remedy in itself.
Omar Alshogre
Public speaker and a human rights activist
Omar Alshogre is a Syrian public speaker, detention survivor, and Georgetown University graduate based in Stockholm. After being arrested for protesting the former Syrian regime, Omar escaped imprisonment with his mother's help. In his talks, Omar focuses on the power of storytelling, the effects of trauma, and the crucial role of leadership in times of crisis. Through his narrative, he helps audiences to rediscover hope, embrace resilience, and find strength in the face of adversity. Omar will share his journey of survival and transformation, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, there is strength in speaking up, power in remembering, and hope in rewriting the future.
PERFORMERS
Stockholm Taiko
Japanese Drum for VikingsStockholm Taiko is a unique taiko drumming ensemble based in Sweden, blending the power of traditional Japanese taiko with the rich melodies of Nordic folk music. Founded and led by Maki, a taiko artist from Japan, the group is redefining the taiko experience by infusing it with global influences, creating performances that are both powerful and deeply immersive. Their signature approach combines the thunderous energy of Japanese taiko with the haunting resonance of Nordic instruments like the hurdy-gurdy, nyckelharpa, and bagpipes. Their performances are not just a display of rhythm—they are a dialogue between two rich cultural traditions, a journey that moves from Japan’s festival spirit to the ancient echoes of Scandinavian landscapes. Stockholm Taiko’s performances are built on strength, harmony, and movement, embodying the essence of both Japanese and Nordic traditions. Their mission is to break boundaries and bring people together through the universal language of rhythm. "Taiko is more than just drumming—it’s a heartbeat that unites cultures and awakens the soul. Through our fusion of Japanese and Nordic sounds, we invite you to experience this connection with us."
Yiwu Dance
Chinese dance groupYiwu Dance is a collective of Chinese dance enthusiasts, where tradition meets innovation. The members, predominantly students and individuals who have studied in Sweden, unite in their unwavering love for the art form. Together, they embark on a journey to create, choreograph, and learn, blending their cultural heritage with modern interpretations of movement. Each dancer contributes their heart, creativity, and dedication, weaving together stories through every graceful step and intricate gesture. This time, YiWu Dance will present an elaborate performance, blending popular Chinese dance props with elegant movements. Prepare to be transported by the passion and precision of their performers and immerse yourself in the beauty of classical Chinese dance.
