Past TEDx event

TEDxIE Madrid

Dare I Say

Took placeApril 23, 20264:00 PM - 9:30 PM (GMT+2)
LocationMadrid, Madrid, Comunidad de, Spain
FormatUniversity
Throughout history, progress was rarely a solitary endeavor. From the Greek agora to the Roman forum, people gathered in central public spaces to debate, exchange perspectives, and challenge the status quo. Eventually, these spaces became the reason we developed knowledge that shaped civilization. Today, that tradition lives on through the global TEDx program, which hosts over 3,000 independently organized events every year across more than 170 countries. Once a year, it comes to IE University. On April 23rd, TEDxIE Madrid takes over the IE Tower Auditorium for a full day built around one question: Dare I Say...? Eight speakers, four from within the IE community and four joining us from around the world, will take the stage to share the kind of ideas that make you rethink what you thought you already knew. Beyond the stage, a cocktail and networking hour, premium catering, sponsor-hosted raffle, and personalized gift packs will all be available to your enjoyment. Secure your spot now!

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

  • Altay Apaydan

    Student | IE University

    Altay Apaydin is Turkish–French and brings an international background, having lived in five countries and speaking four languages, reflecting early exposure to multicultural environments. As a first-year business student, he draws on these experiences to reflect on how individuals adapt socially and culturally. His perspective focuses on how competence is perceived in different settings, and how identity and credibility are often shaped by context. He is particularly interested in the gap between actual ability and how it is communicated, interpreted, and judged by others. Theme: Competence vs. the Perception of Competence (Social Biases)

  • Christoph Von Toggenburg

    Leader, Author, Artist | Humanitarian Crisis Worker

    Leader, Author, Artist | Humanitarian Crisis Worker Christoph is a Swiss humanitarian who has spent over two decades working in international conflict zones, engaging in negotiation, humanitarian response, and storytelling through photography and film. His work spans multiple disciplines, combining field experience with leadership roles, including serving as a CEO and World Economic Forum Fellow. His perspective focuses on the human dimension of conflict, particularly how dehumanization contributes to violence and how empathy and recognition of shared humanity can play a role in conflict resolution. Theme: Dehumanization and the Psychology of Conflict (Peace and Empathy)

  • Daniel Yebra

    5th Year, DBA & BBA | President of 180 Degrees Consulting Madrid

    Daniel leads 180 Degrees Consulting Madrid, managing a team of 60 students who provide pro bono consulting services to NGOs across different sectors. As a senior student in a dual business degree, he combines academic training with hands-on leadership in social impact work. He is actively involved in volunteering and nonprofit consulting, with a focus on how and why individuals engage in “altruistic” work. His perspective challenges traditional views of selflessness, exploring the role of personal motivation in acts of good and questioning whether self-interest can coexist with meaningful impact. Theme: Selfishness in Acts of Good (Behavioral Motives)

  • Oscar Martinez

    Academic Director, Political Science | IE University

    Prof. Martinez is a senior academic specializing in democratic systems, institutional design, and political reform. In addition to his academic leadership at IE University, he has advised the Vice President of Spain, indicating direct involvement in high-level policy environments. He studied at Harvard and authored a book with a foreword by Arend Lijphart. His work combines academic research with practical policy experience, focusing on how democratic institutions can be improved and adapted to contemporary challenges. Theme: Fixing Democracy (Politics)

  • Saja Kilani

    Oscar-nominated Actress | Poet

    Saja Kilani is a Canadian–Jordanian award-winning actress and poet with a background in International Relations and Theatre from the University of Toronto. She has been involved in Oscar- and Golden Globe-nominated projects, including The Voice of Hind Rajab, and won Best Actress at the Carthage Film Festival. Her work spans film, performance, and poetry, often engaging with themes of identity, cultural heritage, and representation. She explores the relationship between vulnerability, visibility, and self-expression in both her artistic and personal work. Theme: Vulnerability in Confidence (Identity and Self-Perception)

  • Tamara Klink

    Explorer | Sailor | Arctic Adventurer

    Tamara Klink is a Brazilian explorer known for undertaking solo expeditions in extreme and remote environments, including spending eight months alone in Arctic conditions. Her work places her within the field of endurance exploration, where individuals operate in isolation with limited external support. Through these experiences, she examines the psychological and physical limits of human resilience, as well as how individuals respond to prolonged solitude, uncertainty, and the absence of external validation. Theme: Mental and Physical Journey of Extreme Athletics

Organizing team