An evening of TEDx Talks as part of UAE Innovation Week

Dubai Women Establishment (DWE), in collaboration with TEDxDubai, is set to host an evening of TEDx Talks as part of UAE Innovation Week on Monday 21st November, 6pm. The event, to be held at The Yard, Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz, Dubai, under the theme of “Shifting Perceptions”, will showcase four thought-provoking speakers and innovation-related talks from the TED platform.

The event will provide an incredible opportunity to observe realities under a new lens and walk away with new perspectives on a number of topics such as gender, language and race, as well as the things we take for granted such as access to basic services.

Shamsa Saleh, CEO of Dubai Women Establishment, said: “UAE Innovation Week is a crucial part of our wise leadership’s vision to establish the country as a global hub for innovation and embed a culture of creativity and entrepreneurship throughout the UAE. We are very pleased to be supporting this nation-wide initiative by collaborating with TEDxDubai to host the third TEDxDubai Salon. The event will provide a platform for attendees to gain new perspectives and insights through engaging talks delivered by some remarkable speakers, facilitating dialogue and the exchange of ideas to inspire future change. Additionally, the TEDxDubai Salon event will highlight and showcase Emirati and local talent, and provide an opportunity to encourage the youth to instil a spirit of innovation and creativity within their socio-economic activities”.

The speakers of the event will include Sarah Amiri. Sarah is currently the Chairwoman of the Emirates Scientists Council and Science Lead of the Emirates Mars Mission (Hope) at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC). Her current task is to enable the research environment for the first generation of UAE Planetary Scientists. Sarah specialises in capability and new initiatives development at MBRSC; and has spent the past five years working in this area. In 2015, Sarah was selected as one of 50 young scientists by the World Economic Forum for her contribution to development efforts in the fields of Science, Technology and Engineering.

She will be joined by artist, director and composer, Usman Riaz, who is also the youngest TED Senior Fellow and the founder of Mano Animation Studio – the first hand-drawn animation studio in Pakistan. Usman is laying the foundations for the first animation industry in his home country by paving the way for “artists in Pakistan to come and work on beautiful works of art that they can be proud of.”

TEDx global community member Sajjad Kamal will also be speaking at the event. Sajjad is the co-founder of AlemHealth – a diagnostic telemedicine start-up for emerging markets. AlemHealth has been operating across Afghanistan and several countries in Africa and provides access to high quality care to billions of patients living in developing countries. The fourth speaker of the evening will be Larissa Pak. During a year of travelling around the world, Larissa studied the ‘crisis of 30s’, interviewing 30 individuals who have challenged the status quo and chosen to live a life with purpose. Larissa has 20 years of professional experience in strategic communications and community projects and is a long-time TEDx organiser and ambassador.

Natascia Radice, Curator of TEDxDubai, said: “Aligned to TED’s global commitment of “Ideas Worth Spreading”, and in support of UAE Innovation Week, TEDxDubai Salon hopes to offer a gathering of minds that will inspire thought-provoking conversations and opportunities to engage with other attendees. This collaboration with Dubai Women Establishment is at the heart of the TEDxDubai mission of offering gender balanced conversations and always looking for women innovators within our local and global community.”

During the event, DWE will also be hosting an ‘Innovation Hub’, led by renowned UAE artist, Hind Bin Demaithan Al Qemzi, who will be showcasing the innovative achievements of UAE women through 3D animation. Hind Bin Demaithan Al Qemzi is a full time visual artist, video composer, curator and creative consultant who previously held the position of Head Curator of Dubai Design District (d3). Hind’s artwork has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the world. Her most recent projects include an interactive video design installation, “w hay hy ilyama’a”, part of ‘Emirati Expressions IV: Conventions’, a series of video objects, “Sadu-Pixel”, part of the Portrait of A Nation exhibition commissioned by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), along with video design for immersive performances.