Best TED Talks about Bali

Since the first conference way back in 1984, TED Talks features motivational speeches from some of the most brilliant minds in the world. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, which covers a broad spectrum. These talks don’t just focus on business or startups but more importantly they cover a wide range of amazing, inspiring and unique ideas. There’s no better way to get energized (well, except for a triple-shot latte) than to watch an inspiring TED Talk. So we have compiled our favorite TED Talks about Bali that have inspired us, captivated us, and given us something thought-provoking to watch over lunch.


Melati and Isabel Wijsen: “Our Campaign to ban plastic bags in Bali”

Sisters Melati and Isabel Wijsen gave their talk in London back in September last year, detailing how they launched the campaign Bye Bye Plastic Bags in 2013 to stop plastic bags from suffocating their beautiful island home of Bali.


John Hardy: “My Green School Dream”

Green School emerged from the jungle and rice fields in September 2008 and started with 90 students. Since then it has grown to 400 students and to an inspiring example of education for sustainability. John Hardy, founder of Green School, gives us a tour.


Stefan Sagmeister: “The power of time off”

In 2008, renowned designer Stefan Sagmeister took one of his yearlong sabbaticals in Bali to revitalise his creativity. He explains how taking time off led to innovative projects inspired by his time in Bali.


Elizabeth Gilbert: “Your Elusive Creative Genius”

This speaker took a year off to travel to Italy, India and Bali which resulted in the mega bestselling novel Eat, Pray, Love followed by a Hollywood adaptation. In this TED talk, Elizabeth Gilbert deals with finding your “inner genius” and how to channel that through all aspects of your life.


And after a year hiatus, TEDxUbud conference is kicking off next week May 28. Now, the tickets for the live venue have been sold out for months but the good news is the whole TEDxUbud day will be broadcast live at Rumah Sanur, a creative hub based in Sanur. Book your tickets and head there with some friends and watch the event on the big screen from 10am. Here a couple of talks to look forward to: pioneers of biofuel in Bali, Indonesia’s first female Muslim standup comedian, a photographer who has mastered the art of high-low food and a company that repurposes Indonesia’s end-of-life tires into soles for footwear.

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