Building a Simple Solution to a Global Problem | Gavin Armstrong | TEDxStouffville

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Gavin tells the engaging story of the Lucky Iron Fish. Learn now he and his colleagues combined scientific knowledge and cultural awareness to come up with a brilliant product that has the potential to alleviate iron deficiency anemia around the world.

Gavin Armstrong is a PhD candidate at the University of Guelph and the President and CEO of the Lucky Iron Fish™ Project, a social enterprise attempting to alleviate iron deficiency using a simple health innovation in Cambodia and beyond. A long term advocate and activist against hunger and malnutrition, Gavin is the first Canadian to receive the William J. Clinton Award for international work against hunger and is the inaugural recipient of the international Michaelle Jean Emergency Hunger Relief Award. As an undergraduate student, Gavin signed the University of Guelph up to be first Canadian University to become members of Universities Fighting World Hunger (UFWH), an organization of universities worldwide dedicated to promote awareness of, and take action against, hunger and malnutrition. Gavin is also a strong supporter for increasing educational opportunities for the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya, developing new opportunities to fund a solar lights that will power the schools and raising money to build a new school in the camps. He has also developed links between the University of Guelph and Universite de Nouakchott (Mauritania) to boost food production and capacity in one of the poorest regions of Africa.

Gavin holds an honours bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Guelph. During this time he was elected as the Communications and Corporate Affairs Commissioner for the student union, served on the Senate, the Board of Governors, the Presidential Task Force on Sustainability, the BetterPlanet Project steering committee and cabinet (the capital campaign of the University), and as the student co-chair for the United Way Campaign.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)