What if the world's slums could be innovation incubators? | David Warner | TEDxBoston
One billion people worldwide live in slums with unreliable access to infrastructure and basic services. But these places are also hubs of creativity and innovation, where solutions to seemingly intractable problems can emerge. Kibera is one of Africa's largest slums, where residents face extreme poverty and environmental threats. An audacious project to bring water and build a community hub led to a incubation model that pairs local residents with academics and industry leaders to co-develop solutions. By working directly with communities to identify problems and opportunities, the collaboration develops equitable, stable solutions to infrastructure and climate resiliency for the residents. After 14 years of effort, the Human Needs Center has delivered a broad infrastructure of opportunity. A vibrant marketplace has been created based on community need, providing banking, water, sanitation, urban agriculture, education, job placement, energy lending, lighting streets, feeding 2,000 people per day, and fostering technology start-ups. The Kibera community now defines their future, and inspires valuable innovation beyond. David Warner is Co-Founder of the Human Needs Project and both the Co-founder and President of Redhorse Constructors, a premier custom builder based in the Bay Area. For the past four decades he has been working on new urban formations around sustainable and resilient infrastructure and construction systems, serving as an advisor to startups that are creating new materials and systems for this new urban design intent. The mission extends to the Human Needs Project, a collaboration of academic and industry leaders who are in partnership with local communities to address the lack of basic services common in underserved urban populations. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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- 20:04Wisdom from Ancient Scriptures: Solving Modern Leadership Challenges | KK Bhagchandani | TEDxMRUKK Bhagchandani presents an insightful session on how ancient wisdom can provide solutions to modern leadership challenges. Every leader, whether in business, technology, or personal life, encounters struggles related to people, resources, finances, and technology. He highlights that logic is abundant in technology but often lacking in human relationships, while emotions are strongest in humans and almost nonexistent in technology. While financial and resource-related issues can be resolved through knowledge and networks, human-related challenges require wisdom and leadership. Wisdom plays a crucial role in making the right choices, developing oneself, and leading a fulfilling life. According to Bhagchandani, it can be found in global case studies, ancient scriptures, and the guidance of elders and mentors. To illustrate this, he shares stories from different sources, covering perspectives on social, professional, and personal life. For social life, he narrates the story of The Monkey and Two Cats, emphasizing that when two equals fight, the one creating the conflict benefits, teaching the importance of unity and fairness. He also draws a lesson from The Mahabharata, where the Pandavas fought for justice despite unfair odds, reinforcing the idea that one must always stand for righteousness. Additionally, he shares the case of Google vs. China (2006-2010), where Google refused to comply with censorship despite business risks, proving that principles should guide decisions. In the professional sphere, Bhagchandani highlights key lessons through three stories. The first, The Mouse and the Cat, demonstrates that great ideas are meaningless without proper execution. He then references The Ramayana, emphasizing the need for strategy, patience, and perseverance in leadership. Lastly, he discusses Coca-Cola’s failure in 1985, where a poor decision led to backlash, yet the CEO took full responsibility, exemplifying true leadership. For personal life, he stresses the idea that nothing in this world is truly free—everything comes at a cost, whether visible or hidden. He shares the story of Yudhishthira and Yama, which underscores the importance of truth and righteousness. Another example is Johnson & Johnson’s 1982 product crisis, where a mistake resulted in the loss of five lives. Instead of denying responsibility, the company took full accountability, setting an ethical standard for businesses. Bhagchandani concludes by reiterating that ancient wisdom remains relevant today. Whether dealing with corporate failures, ethical dilemmas, or leadership struggles, solutions can be found in historical scriptures and past experiences. He encourages leaders to seek knowledge, act with integrity, and learn from history to navigate modern challenges effectively. Business consultant with 30+ years of tech industry expertise. Renowned for transforming leaders into impactful visionaries, he specializes in pharma and life sciences innovation, AI, and cloud transformation. A captivating speaker, has inspired audiences on 1000+ stages, including TEDx, and speaks six languages. Founder of KKB.works and Empyrian Lifesciences Inc, he is also Chief Business Officer at Axcess.io. With accolades like Bharat Udyog Ratan and Glory of India, KKB empowers businesses and leaders to achieve extraordinary success. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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