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One flame Tokyo 2020 | Rodrigo Hübner Mendes | TEDxSaoPaulo

  • 0:11 - 0:13
    According to the United Nations,
  • 0:13 - 0:19
    it is not acceptable to separate people
    based on their differences.
  • 0:20 - 0:21
    Last year,
  • 0:21 - 0:28
    the World Economic Forum invited me
    to participate in a debate in Japan.
  • 0:29 - 0:31
    The purpose was to discuss
  • 0:31 - 0:37
    how the next Olympic games
    can improve their social impact.
  • 0:38 - 0:41
    At the end of the debate,
    the moderator asked me:
  • 0:42 - 0:49
    "Rodrigo, what do you think
    Tokyo can change in this sense in 2020?"
  • 0:51 - 0:53
    Summarizing my answer,
  • 0:53 - 0:57
    I truly believe that the complete
    separation in the games
  • 0:58 - 1:01
    between Olympic and Paralympic
  • 1:01 - 1:06
    is incompatible with the concept
    of an inclusive society.
  • 1:07 - 1:11
    What kind of message
    do we sent to the world,
  • 1:11 - 1:15
    segregating people based
    on the existence of a disability?
  • 1:16 - 1:17
    Besides,
  • 1:17 - 1:21
    the act of putting out the fire
    of the Olympic pyre
  • 1:21 - 1:26
    and then, weeks later,
    lighting the Paralympic pyre
  • 1:26 - 1:30
    just reinforces this negative message.
  • 1:31 - 1:36
    Considering that the Olympic games
    are a huge show case,
  • 1:37 - 1:40
    broadcast to billions of people,
  • 1:41 - 1:44
    I would like to make a proposal for Tokyo.
  • 1:45 - 1:48
    Changes in history demand symbols.
  • 1:55 - 2:02
    So, I propose that in Tokyo we use
    the same torch, the same pyre,
  • 2:02 - 2:04
    and most importantly,
  • 2:04 - 2:08
    that we keep the flame
    lighted between both games.
  • 2:08 - 2:13
    I believe that's how the Olympic games
    will make a magnificent step
  • 2:13 - 2:18
    in representing equality
    among human beings.
  • 2:18 - 2:19
    Thank you.
  • 2:19 - 2:22
    (Applause) (Cheers)
Title:
One flame Tokyo 2020 | Rodrigo Hübner Mendes | TEDxSaoPaulo
Description:

Rodrigo Mendes talks about his idea of just one flame for Tokyo 2020. Rodrigo Hübner Mendes has dedicated his life to guaranteeing that every person with a disability has access to high-quality education in regular schools. He is a teacher and researcher on inclusive education, a member of the network of social enterpreneurs "Ashoka" and of Young Global Leaders (World Economic Forum). Twenty years ago, he founded the Instituto Rodrigo Mendes, (rm.org.br), which carries out research and education programs around the world.

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
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Video Language:
English
Team:
closed TED
Project:
TEDxTalks
Duration:
03:04

  • Elena Crescia

    Here is the correct transcript:
    According to the United Nations, it is not acceptable,
    to discriminate against people based on their differences.
    Last year, The World Economic Forum, invited me to participate in a debate in Japan.
    The purpose was to discuss how the next Olympic games can improve their social impact.
    At the end of the debate, the moderator asked me:
    Rodrigo, how do you think Tokyo can improve in this sense in 2020?
    Summarizing my answer, I truly believe, that the complete separation of the games between Olympic and Paralympic,
    Is incompatible with the concept of an inclusive society.
    What kind of message do we send to the world, segregating people, based on the existence of a disability.
    Besides, the act of putting out the fire of the Olympic pier, and then, weeks later, lighting the Paralympic pier, just reinforces is negative message.
    Considering that the Olympic games are a huge show case, broadcasted to billions of people.
    I would like to make a proposal for Tokyo. Changes in history demands symbols.
    So, I propose that in Tokyo, we use the same torch, the same pier.
    And most important, that we keep the flame lightened between both games. I believe that is how The Olympic games will make a magnificent step in representing the equality among human beings.
    Thank you.

English subtitles

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