Creating an economy that honors life: Damaris Matthijssen at TEDxDelft

Social entrepreneur Damaris Matthijsen's personal philosophy in life is simple; understand yourself and trust your gut. Founder of the pioneering economic movement -- Economy Transformers -- Matthijsen's journey began with disillusionment.

While studying to be a social worker in Driebergen, she went on a trip to Suriname for an internship. "I began to notice how the economic situation alienated the people. Even more so because Western concepts had been imposed on people out of context. It was the first time I realized the impact economy has on human life," she says. It wasn't just abroad; Matthijsen found that the economy had little regard for human life everywhere in the world. "I realized that even I was alienated by the economy. That every individual was relegated to second position -- whether in a company where he has no share of profits or in a competitive environment where he has to push himself incessantly."

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)