Ton Zijlstra engages the digital technology to the benefit openness, participation and cooperation because he believes that the way we work, learn and organize ourselves is the key to solving many important social issues. Over more than 15 years he has taken part in or initiated the emergence of a number of social media, open digital production (FabLab), open government and open data communities. Having a background in philosophy and technology, Tom has cooperated with local, national and international governing bodies and is today one of the advocates of these issues in Europe.

Since 2002 he blogs about topics of interest at http://zylstra.org/blog

Ton Zijlstra rakendab digitaalse tehnoloogia avatuse, osaluse ja koostegemise teenistusse, sest usub, et viis, kuidas me töötame, õpime ja organiseerume, on võti paljude oluliste ühiskondlike probleemide lahendamiseks. Enam kui 15 aasta jooksul on ta osalenud mitmete praktikakogukondade sünni juures, luues sotsiaalmeedia, avatud digitaalse tootmise (FabLabs), avatud valitsemise (open government) ja avatud andmete (open data) algatusrühmi.

Filosoofia ja tehnoloogia taustaga Ton on töötanud nii kohalike, riiklike kui rahvusvaheliste valitsusüksustega ning tänagi on ta nende teemade eestkõnelejaks Euroopas (muuhulgas avaliku sektori teabe portaalis ePSiplatform). 2002. aastast peab ta oma huvide kohta blogi http://zylstra.org/blog.

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)