近藤純光は、北九州の小さな漁村で育ち、東京での成功を目指した後、秋田県東成瀬村で自らの役割と生きがいを再発見した経験を語ります。人生をRPGにたとえ、「幸福は場所や所有物ではなく、誰かの役に立つ“ロール”を担っている実感から生まれる」と強調します。なるテックを創業し、行政のデジタル化から地域資源を活かした商品開発まで幅広いプロジェクトに挑む中で、田舎には都会にはない“余白”があり、人が唯一無二のロールを見つけやすいと気づきました。本トークでは、「小さな村から人生を始めることが、より豊かな物語を紡ぐ鍵になるのではないか」という提案を届けます。 Junki Kondo shares his journey from growing up in a small fishing village in Kitakyushu, striving to succeed in Tokyo, and eventually rediscovering meaning and purpose in the rural community of Higashinaruse, Akita. Drawing parallels between role-playing games and life, he emphasizes that fulfillment comes not from possessions or location, but from the “roles” we play for others. Through founding Narutech and engaging in projects that revitalize the village—from digital transformation to local product development—he illustrates how rural areas provide the “empty spaces” where unique roles can emerge. His talk proposes that starting one’s odyssey in a small village may be the key to finding happiness, meaning, and a truly irreplaceable role in life. 東成瀬テックソリューションズ株式会社 代表取締役社長 1989年生まれ 福岡県北九州市出身 秋田県東成瀬村在住 東成瀬村より出資を受け、東成瀬テックソリューションズ株式会社（なるテック）を設立し代表取締役に就任。地域に根差したデジタル人材育成、自治体DX支援、産業振興を推進。過疎化が進む同村において、3年間で60名以上の人材採用を実現し、地域経済の活性化に貢献。官民連携のプロジェクトを多数手がけ、行政・民間双方の課題を理解した実践的なアプローチを強みとする。今回は自身の行動指針でもある人生における「目的意識」の意義を語る。EO of Higashinaruse Tech Solutions, Inc.Born in 1989 in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, currently residing in Higashinaruse Village, Akita Prefecture.With investment support from Higashinaruse Village, he established Higashinaruse Tech Solutions, Inc. ("Naru-Tech") and assumed the role of President and CEO.He promotes the development of local digital talent, supports municipal DX initiatives, and advances industrial revitalization.In a village facing severe depopulation, he successfully recruited over 60 talents in just three years, contributing significantly to the revitalization of the local economy.He has led numerous public-private partnership projects, bringing a practical approach based on deep understanding of challenges faced by both government and private sectors.He will give a Talk about the importance of sense of purpose in one’s own life at Odyssey2025. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Aya Kiyosawa shares her personal experience of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake as a seven-year-old in Sendai, and how the disaster shaped her perspective on daily life, resilience, and human connection. From the fear and uncertainty of losing familiar comforts to the kindness of neighbors who shared their hot water, these memories continue to influence how she views relationships and community today. She reflects on the importance of telling such stories—not only to preserve the memory of the disaster, but also to remind us that everyday life is precious, and that bonds with others can be the strongest support in times of hardship. Aya Kiyosawa is a 21-year-old student at Akita International University, originally from Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. Having lived through the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake at the age of seven, she has since been committed to sharing her story as a way to preserve memory and foster resilience in others. Aya is passionate about languages and music—she has studied English and Korean, participated in a study-abroad program in Seoul, and now composes and performs with her band near campus. Through her studies, her music, and her storytelling, Aya continues to explore how human connection and community can help us overcome hardship and cherish everyday life. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

[TEDxKHU 2025 Summer Event 파동: 그 속에서 가능성을 관측하다] 좋은 경험을 통해 공감을 만들어내고, 그 공감을 통해 브랜딩의 파동을 일으켜 세상을 움직이는 허준 연사님의 강연을 만나보세요! Creating empathy through meaningful experiences and sparking a wave of branding that moves the world. Join June Heo’s talk on branding that connects deeply with people. CEO of June&Good / Former CMO of GFFG, 8meals, GLOW SEOUL / Author of [I Am a Branding Person] This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

My talk addresses the global talent shortage we face today. Worldwide, 75% of employers struggle to hire—three out of every four. In Brazil, the scarcity is even higher at 81%. But this raises an important question: what gender and skin color are these “talents” employers are truly looking for? Sonia is an Associate Professor at the Aeronautics Institute of Technology (ITA) and the first Black woman in Brazil to earn a PhD in Physics (University of Manchester, 1989). In 1993, she became ITA’s first Black woman professor, at a time when women were not yet admitted as students. With over 30 years of academic contributions, she has been recognized with the Santos Dumont Medal of Honor (2023), named one of Latin America’s 100 most innovative people by Bloomberg Línea (2023), and listed among Forbes Brazil’s Most Powerful Women (2025). In the same year, she was honored as one of the 35 leaders of IT Forum Mulheres and received the Inspiring Women Award from the Brazilian Institute of Petroleum and Gas. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What if there's a different way to think about the future? In this talk, trend researcher Gabi Terra introduces the concept of the "nowist", someone who doesn’t reject the future but chooses to shape it by staying grounded in the present. It’s a call to slow down, look around and act from where we are. With over 20 years of experience in Branding, Advertising, Insights, and Innovation, Gabi Terra is a senior strategist and founder of Go Magenta. She has led strategy and research teams for multinational and Fortune 500 brands such as Amazon, Warner Brothers, Volkswagen, Accorhotels, Oreo, Itaú, Braskem, Johnson & Johnson, Volvo, Discovery Networks, Oi, O Boticário, and Vivo.At Go Magenta, she integrates insights and strategy, focusing on diagnosis, critical thinking, scenario planning, and problem-solving to create actionable and impactful strategies. Gabi considers herself not only a strategist but also a cultural researcher eager to help brands design strategies grounded in genuine insights. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In recent years, the wellness industry has become one of the most profitable sectors of the global economy. But is this market creating problems just to sell overly simple solutions to highly complex issues? When in doubt: be skeptical! Content creator and influencer since 2020, Mari Krüger, a Biology graduate, built her community through videos that blend science, humor, creativity, and lifestyle.Mari began creating videos during the forced pause of the 2020 pandemic, combining her knowledge in biology with her experience as an actress—a path she has pursued since the age of 18. Her videos are grounded in scientific knowledge, aiming to inform and debunk unfounded theories.With over 3 million followers across her social media platforms, she promotes responsible influence, real life, and science in a light, engaging, and humorous way. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx