Changing Times Blog

Stick with the Jojos

This is an advert created at Changing Times 2008 for the snack bar.

Music by Andy Grammer; produced by Amy Lim and Ryan Lash.

7th Changing Times Session

The 7th Changing Times session just finished. Once again it was a success and like its previous years it was unique and full of energy.

The presenters, each an expert in their field shared their professional expertise as well as personal stories. The diversity of the participants was the highest it has even been with over 42 countries represented. The program was educational, inspiring and filled with many humorous and moving moments. Professional contacts were made and more importantly many new friendships were found.

All in all it was a great week with lots of energy and enthusiasm. Here is a short collage of pictures that tries to capture the spirit of the week.

A First-Time Presenter’s Perspective

My name is David Henderson, and I have been asked to blog from Changing Times, as a first-time presenter at the conference. So, as an American who has come to this remarkable event, here are a few words …

Between now and the end of the year, I am participating in the events and giving a series of lectures and workshops at the Changing Times European Young Adult Forum. It’s held at the Townshend International School in the southern Czech village of Hluboka nad Vitavou.

I have never before known of such an astonishing conference that brings together 230 young adult professionals from 40 countries to learn and share information. The best comparison, I believe, is to say that Changing Times, now in its 7th year, is approaching the caliber of the annual Davos Economic Forum … except Changing Times is for tomorrow’s world leaders. The young professionals at this conference are among the brightest people I have ever met. They come from academics, medicine, technology and business.

A few of the speakers include Dr. Moshe Sharon from Hebrew University in Jerusalem; Italian business leader Giuseppe Robiati; Mr. Ian Semple; Mr. Burhaniddin Afshin; actor Phillip Hinton; award-winning fiction writer Holiday Reinhorn; and, the popular American actor, Rainn Wilson.

Here is a music video of photos from the first day:

CT08 Live!

We’ll be blogging live from the Changing Times Conference the coming days, bringing selected program features to you. Stay tuned!

Rainn Wilson coming to CT08!

The One and Only Rainn Wilson is coming to Changing Times!

The star of the American television comedy hitshow ‘The Office’ where he plays the egomaniacal Dwight Schrute and long-time assistant mortician Arthur Martin in ‘Six Feet Under’ is on his way to the Czech Republic. His film credits include ‘Juno’ and ‘My Super Ex-Girlfriend’ and yet-to-be-released ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’. He also works as a spokesperson for the Baha’i-inspired non-profit organization Mona Foundation that tries to provide quality education to all children, raise the status of women and girls, and build community. Do not miss your chance to enjoy this guy.

CT Registration is still open! and we have spots left for participants 25+. Save your spot at www.changing-times.org

We’re on it

Registration has been open for over a week now and names have just kept washing ashore. We will start processing the hundreds of registrations on Monday, 22 September, so if you haven’t received a letter saying you are welcome to come, don’t worry, we’re on it. You will be notified soon. Get off the computer, relax, enjoy the view, drink a cup of hot cinnamon latte (great drink!) until you receive an email from ‘Changing Times - Office’.

Registration Chatroom

CHATROOM CLOSED

To accomodate the hype about registration, we’re now online with the Changing Times chatroom. It’s here and will be open up until a few hours after the start of registration. All you need is facebook, and you’re in!

1. Login to Facebook as you do morning, day, and evening.

2. Go to http://apps.new.facebook.com/geeseechat/?room=Changing+Times

3. The system should ask you to ‘Add Geesee Chat’. Add it!

4. You’re in. Chat away.

This is what it should look like: If it doesn’t, call me at nzoelzer@gmail.com.

0.00 GMT - Am I in London?

Here’s a last bit of timely guidance. Registration does NOT open at midnight all around the world, but at 0.00 GMT, that is, London time. For those of us not subservient to the Queen, this is the time registration opens for you (military time):

Hluboká nad Vltavou: 01.00
Haifa: 02.00
New Delhi: 04.30
Perth: 07.00
Sydney: 09.00
Apia: 12.00
LA/Vancouver: 16.00
Bogota: 18.00
New York: 19.00
Sao Paulo: 20.00

If you are still not sure, please check the World Time Converter. Good luck!