TEDxYYC - David Damberger - Learning from Failure

David Damberger discusses "Learning From Failure" at TEDxYYC 2011.

David is the founder of Engineers Without Borders Calgary (EWB). After building the organization in Calgary and working with them in India, David spent four years building EWB's overseas programs as the Director of Southern African Programs. In this role, David consulted for dozens of African based companies, non-profits and governments in the fields of agriculture; food processing; water and sanitation; and mobile applications for development.

David currently works as a corporate strategy consultant and is a co-founder of Ethical Ocean, an e-commerce marketplace for the worlds top fair-trade, eco-friendly and sweatshop free products.

David holds a degree in engineering and a minor in entrepreneurship from the University of Calgary. He is also a Social Entrepreneuship MBA candidate at the University of Oxford. Recently, David was recognized as the youngest member of the Top 40 Alumni in the History of the University of Calgary.

David will be drawing on his work experience in Africa to speak about the transformative power of publicly admitting failure in the development aid sector which currently lacks accountability, creativity and transparency.

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[malcolmbryant]

This kid is great. Anyone who can get an old skeptic like me to sit up and take notice is getting somewhere. Engineers have made the world wealthy; they have the talent to save it too. The rest of us should get out of the way and get behind them.

[tomdjwood]

Very Good David, i am a final year engineering student studying for an exam on sustainability. You raise interesting issues that aren't otherwise investigated. Too often do you hear propaganda and slander claiming everything is going perfectly and companies only informing the public of their successes. In reality they most be hiding many failures? I think the point you raise regarding public, private sectors etc. and the beneficiaries is particularly relevant.

[HoboTraveler]

Thank for being honest, I have been to Africa over 8 times, and am presently in Togo, We Africa, and the stories of NGO's are rampant.

[Kerry Furr]

looked like he was trying to sit near friends

[Kerry Furr]

It shows on the screen behind him. BP and Toyota. BP admitted mistakes and Toyota swept under the rug or just ignored.

[chnazy007]

What where the two companies you where talking about?

[HoboTraveler]

Failure is good, it means you are doing something, it is nice to hear one person, of one NGO admitting they did not plan for the future. I have been to 90 countries, and I am embarassed when I am in the same room. This is not right, I should be proud of them, but they come with the solution.

[Mohamed Elbeatar]

keep up the good work..God bless you ^_^

[Asif Mahmood Abbas]

a good lesson for me, i guess

[Muukentuuken]

lol at the douche sitting on the floor when they are clearly plenty of spare seats.

He must be an anthropologist trying to understand the living conditions of the people in Malawi

[Raja Ampat]

Example : income tax reduction, tax return for donations, etc.

It would be nice for you to address Mr. Damberger or EWB directly if you want to propose some ideas and/or to express concerns. Ranting on a Youtube video will not make anything better. If you really want to use Youtubve to express your sorrow, you could make a video and publish it. Commentary section usually won't be the best way to make things change.

I can discuss this matter with you with pleasure, some explanations are welcomed