Social change needs engaged communities, not heroes | Gerardo Calderón | TEDxLehighU

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Many of the large social movements throughout the history are strongly marked with the central leading figures, those who we call heroes. But real social movement comes from the supporting community that stand in the shadow. Gerardo Calderón, drawing from his personal experiences in social movements, discuss the real heroes of social justice.

Gerardo Calderon, 27, was born and raised in El Salvador. He attended college in his home country and majored in Computer Science Engineering. And five years later, he received an MA in Political Science from Lehigh University. Back in his country he was a volunteer for four years and then CEO for three years at TECHO-El Salvador. Currently he works in Allentown as the community organizer at the grassroots initiative "Campaign for Change".

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)