Setting up a TEDx event requires quite some time and effort. And not at all only by those at the helm. TEDxCuraçao 2011 is the product of many citizens of the world, most of them from Curaçao, who contributed to the success of the first edition. The long list includes the speakers, the sponsors, all the people who attended the event and those that showed their support through comments, electronic and otherwise.

The board of the TEDxCuraçao Foundation is overwhelmed by the support we received and by all the comments and remarks afterwards. The people have spoken through their involvement and dedication!

The first edition of TEDxCuraçao on December 3, 2011 was “full of surprises” reports Radio Netherlands Worldwide. The news item placed on the news organization’s website gives a good description about the goings on at the Conference Center of Kurá Hulanda in downtown Willemstad, Curaçao.

TEDxCuraçao drew a capacity live audience of 250 that came to listen to ideas deemed worth spreading. Radio Netherlands Worldwide reports that Johnny Nobrega, the youngest speaker in the group had the most surprising talk. The Radulphus College high school student explained that physical contact between human beings is an illusion. What we experience as contact is actually created by the repulsive force of electrons.

On the date of TEDxCuraçao 2011, His Excellency Minister Nasser El Hakim (Economic Affairs) was attending the Caribbean Central American Action’s (CCAA) 35th Annual Conference on the Caribbean and Central America. However, making use of communications technology, he managed to be present electronically to bestow his best wishes for a successful TEDxCuraçao event.

Making use of a Skype connection Minister El Hakim managed to deliver his special message to all attending the event. In his short speech the minister remarked: