Last friday 17th we had the pleasure of sharing another CreativeMornings Porto event with a community that keeps growing and they we keep getting to know better and better each day. For the first time since we started we had a member of our community as our speaker (it generally happens the other way around, speakers come share their thought and end up becoming fans). We loved hearing what Nigel Randsley had to say. THANKS NIGEL!

The event began weeks before with an image of a lady on our posters. The lady on the image is a person who is usually asking for food right around the corner from where the CMopo event is held. Most of our audience was familiar with this person, called her Marias das Sopas, and were surprised to see her in the posters. The photograph was taken by Nigel Randley, our speaker, and was the first of many provoking images and ideas exposed throughout his talk. 

The event began at 8:30 a, as always, in the beautiful space of Palácio das Artes - Fábrica de Talentos belonging to Fundação da Juventude. Apart from being an amazing restored building recognized by UNESCO, the Palácio das Artes is always changing according to the diverse array of exhibits that are held there, meaning that we are always waiting to see what the space has in store for us when we go through its heavy and gigantic main doors. 

Considering the this month’s theme is #humility, we decided to take advantage of the opportunity and ask for donations for a nearby playschool that supports low income families “Centro Social do Barredo” . People contributed school material and food to this cause.. THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS. 

Breakfast was sponsored by the Fundação da Juventude.. it feels sooo good having that morning coffee before the event!

After getting the room set up and the presentation running.. we were ready to go.

We took advantage of the fact that our speaker was a member of the audience to encourage people to talk to each other and get to know who they had behind them (an exercise we borrowed from CM BCN)…. you never know what you could be missing when not interacting with others…

Nigel Randsley has a BA in Mathematics and Computer Science as well as a PHd in Bioinformatics. However, his talk was more about his experience as a volunteer, working with refugees. He told us stories about “Maria das Sopas”, about conditions in refugee camps, about what keeps people motivated and with drive to continue. Nigel talked about the privilege of being European and the luxuries we have in this continent seen as a paradise in the eyes of so many people out there. Nigel share his knowledge of what happen to illegal immigrants crossing by boat during the trip and once they land, if they managed to land. 

The month’s theme was a great one. It gave us an opportunity to stop and look around. Thanks Nigel and thanks everyone for coming, sharing and for supporting CreativeMornings Porto.