Dictionary of Man

Bob Geldof interviews George Bush at TED

After a week in Africa with President Bush, Bob Geldof's in California to  speak at the TED conference this weekend Each year, the world's leading thinkers and doers gather in Monterey, for an event many describe as the highlight of their year. Attendees have called it "The ultimate brain spa," "Davos for optimists" and "A four-day journey into the future, in the company of those creating it." This event is called TED, and it's truly a conference like no other.

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design - three broad subject areas that are, collectively, shaping our future. In fact, the event is broader still, showcasing ideas that matter in any discipline. The format is fast paced: 50+ talks over the course of four days (to say nothing of the morning and evening events). This immersive environment allows attendees and speakers from vastly different fields to 'cross-fertilize' and draw inspiration from unlikely places. This is the magic of TED.

Attendance at TED is by invitation only, and the attendees - CEOs, scientists, designers, intellectuals - are as extraordinary as the speakers, who in 2007 included former US President Bill Clinton, musician Paul Simon, author Isabel Allende, biologist EO Wilson, designer Phillipe Starck, and Virgin CEO Richard Branson. Indeed, TED's success is based on the extraordinary effect of bringing together 1,000 of the world's most remarkable people. The result? Unexpected connections. Extraordinary insights. Powerful inspiration.

For more information visit:

www.ted.com

www.time.com

MIP, Cannes

It’s six months since we launched Dictionary of Man at MIP – the huge TV trade event for the world’s broadcasters, commissioners and programme makers that takes place twice a year in Cannes. Back in April, we talked about the Human Planet – the fantastic six part BBC series which will be one of the key parts of Dictionary of Man and we shared centre stage with colleagues from BBC Worldwide and the BBC’s Natural History Unit who are making the series.

Royal Anthropological Institute September

The Dictionary of Man as a concept has had huge support from anthropological institutions around the world so we’re very pleased to be meeting Hilary Callan, Director of the RAI which is the oldest institute in the world, and some of their members in London on Friday.

It’s important that we have the support and input from anthropologists around the world so we need to contact them through such institutions.

Meeting with UNESCO, Paris

We want schools, colleges and other educational organisations to be part of the Dictionary of Man because we believe that capturing the imagination of children and students will help involve whole communities, encourage story telling and history sharing.

In order to reach as many educational communities as possible, we’ve been talking to UNESCO which has the reach, experience and capability.

We want to know what tools and support we need to offer to help schools and students take part in this huge project which is for and about the whole world, has no political, sociological or economic preconceptions.