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What if love and generosity shaped our cities? | Sophie Jerram | TEDxWellington

1,919 views · Published 9 September 2014 · 12:59 · Indexed 19 October 2026

Channel: TEDx Talks · 2014 · Nonprofits & Activism

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This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Cities are living organisms which can be influenced so how can we create more generous cities? 

Sophie Jerram is perpetually on the lookout for ways in which we might share the planet better. Trained in both philosophy and marketing, she works in both business and artistic practice.

After a period as NZ Communications Manager for the Sustainable Business Network she was investigating new ethical investment instruments when the 2008 Global Financial Crisis prompted a rethink.

Looking for ways to reframe the crisis, she was called to an early passion: public art with social impact. With arts writer Mark Amery she co-founded Letting Space and then Urban Dream Brokerage – widely acclaimed projects that aim to broaden shared social space. In 2010 she co-founded Now Future to deepen cultural understanding and dialogue around climate change.

Sophie is a professional director, and investor in clean technology businesses. She’s currently a director of Celsias.com, as well as being a founding director of Wellington software startup Loomio.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

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