Canadian physician Gabor Maté is a specialist in terminal illnesses, chemical dependents, and HIV positive patients. Dr. Maté is a renowned author of books and columnist known for his knowledge about attention deficit disorder, stress, chronic illness and parental relations. His theme at TEDxRio+20 was addiction — from drugs to power. From the lack of love to the desire to escape oneself, from susceptibility of the being to interior power — nothing escapes. And he risks a generic and generous prescription: “Find your nature and be nice to yourself.”
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)
Adverse childhood experiences are physical, sexual or emotional abuse and neglect as well as witnessing family violence, addiction or mental health episodes in the household. Firstly, new evidence on the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences will be presented-to give a sense of the magnitude of the problem. Secondly, research will be presented which demonstrates a direct link between the level of adversity in childhood and worse outcomes in adulthood in health, addiction, imprisonment, education and life success and new evidence from the field of neuroscience which explains this link. Thirdly ways to prevent and respond to childhood adversity and support victims will be presented, including integrated child protection systems, better equipped education systems and breaking the public taboo on the theme.
Benjamin Perks is the UNICEF Representative to Montenegro and United Nations Resident Coordinator a.i. and also occasionally works for United Nations Staff College training on Human Rights Based Approach to Programming. He has served in numerous countries including Afghanistan, India, Georgia and Albania. He holds a Masters Degree in International Conflict Analysis from University of Kent in Canterbury and a Bachelors Degree in Contemporary Studies (History and Politics) from University of Hertfordshire and has recently completed a programme on Leadership and Education Reform at the Graduate School of Education at University of Harvard.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx