Giorgia Ferraro is a second-year student, currently completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, and volunteers at the Peer Mentoring Program of the Italian Pavilion at EXPO 2020. Carlo Ardito, on the other hand, holds an Economics and Business Degree, manages a B&B and juggles his time between study, work and volunteering commitments. Giorgia and Carlo are currently organizing TEDxLuiss 2021, a special edition this year in light of the ongoing pandemic crisis. Indeed, this edition will have a different feel compared to past events, however the Student Speaker Contest remains a distinctive feature, where Luiss students and graduates have the opportunity to deliver an inspiring speech about interesting topics to a wide audience.
“TEDxLuiss 2021 will be held on May 8. We are currently fully engaged in planning the event. The organizational conditions this year are different: we must be prepared and dynamic in the face of changes. We hope to have a great turnout because the speakers are fantastic”. This is how Carlo described the event planning which must also accommodate online participants. “We are working hard to plan a light-hearted and fun event also to those who wish to participate remotely. This is probably the biggest challenge”.
Among the novelties of this edition, the Student Speakers Contest is confirmed. Candidates must apply before March 22. “It is a tradition that has lasted for four editions. We will select a speaker from among all currently enrolled Luiss students and among those who have graduated at the latest in 2018. Applicants must upload a 2-minute video in which they explain the idea they wish to present. The final will be held in Viale Romania in front of a jury who will nominate the winner”.
Giorgia explained TEDxLuiss is an event that positively impacts participants and stated the 2019 edition is one of her fondest memories at Luiss. “It is an event that is entirely organized, thought and planned by students”. On that occasion, Giorgia was made responsible as Speaker Curator, managing and selecting the event panellists.
Carlo echoed Giorgia’s thoughts and shared his experience of the first TEDxLuiss edition as his most cherished memory at Luiss, “when thirty students transformed ideas into facts, aimed at inspiring the Luiss community to rethink their world perspective”.
This experience proved to be crucial for both Giorgia and Carlo, who consider large learning to be one of the reasons for choosing Luiss. Giorgia explained “soft skills and extracurricular activities are fundamental to set yourself apart in pursuing a career”. Carlo reiterated “Luiss places students at the center of holistic educational project”.
When asked what advice they would give to newly enrolled students, Giorgia stated “it is important to cultivate many passions, get involved and being open to develop new skills”. Carlo shared Giorgia’s remarks and recommended students to “fully engage in the university experience and take part in extracurricular projects, that enrich us as human beings and global citizens”.