We can build a better planet for refugees | Kon Karapanagiotidis | TEDxQUT

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. A man of action Kon Karapanagiotidis founded what is now Australia's largest asylum seeker organisation, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, in just 8 weeks over 10 years ago. In this talk Kon again sets out a plan of action to enable refugees to thrive.
Over the past 22 years Kon has worked at the grassroots with marginalized communities as a lawyer, social worker and teacher. Inspired by the struggles of his parents and his own experiences of racism growing up, Kon founded the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) in 2001. In just eight weeks with the help of TAFE students he was teaching at the time, the ASRC opened its doors. Since then, the ASRC has become the largest asylum seeker organization in Australia.
The ASRC has assisted over 10,000 asylum seekers, provided over 2.5 million hours of free assistance worth over 200 million dollars, all without Federal Government funding. The power of the ASRC is in its ground breaking holistic, one stop shop model that delivers 23 direct lifesaving programs across its pillars of aid, justice, empowerment and community with a team of over 800 volunteers & 40 staff.
Kon's work has been recognized with an Order of Australia Medal, a Churchill Fellowship, La Trobe University Young Achiever Award, a finalist for the Human Rights Medal and finalist for Australian of the Year in Victoria.
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)

[@MyCouchpotatoes]

What a wonderful presentation. Your passion (and compassion!) brought tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart. I look forward to the day when the ecology of compassion permeates the crueler majority and frees up their hearts.

[@jackiecesnik7786]

Just when I needed something motivating for my students when everything is so black, this was perfect. Thanks Kon

[@mandypritchard3154]

Absolutely inspiring...... When we become a republic I want Kon for president.

[@Girlanatomy]

So true, I'm not religious but bless you for speaking for those who have no voice. I felt inspired when you spoke of language, I know refugees within the Australian society and their potential is enormous, its only language that sets them back. The embarrassment of not being able to communicate effectively paralyses them and hurts their self esteem, they begin to think they're not intelligent or worthy. We're indeed missing out on enormous, beautiful potential. Thank you Kon may you be prosperous with your endeavor.

[@twogreyelephantschildrenss9498]

Thank you so much Kon. Very powerful.

[@koulamused]

Thank you Kon.

[@yehudafinkelstein7504]

Back to the Chip Shop for you Kon.

[@bpw8139]

Yes, lets build a better planet for refugees. Lets call it Mars or Venus and then ship them all out to it.