QF and TED Invite People to ‘Dare to Discover’ by Joining Latest Tedinarabic Regional Event

Inspiring perspectives and stories that have helped to create positive impact within Arab societies are to be shared at the latest regional event held by the pioneering TEDinArabic initiative – established by Qatar Foundation and TED to unlock, identify, and amplify ideas in the Arabic language.

Under the theme Dare to Discover, the event – which can also be viewed online – will be hosted by Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Ben Guerir, near Marrakesh, on Tuesday, 13 October, with leading TED Speakers giving talks to a live global audience.

It is the third regional event to be held since TEDinArabic – TED’s first initiative in the Arabic language - was launched in 2020, reflecting the shared belief of Qatar Foundation (QF) and TED in the power of ideas and their ability to transform the world, and QF’s commitment to preserving and promoting the Arabic language, culture and identity. The partnership will see a flagship TEDinArabic Summit being held in Doha, in March 2023, where the best ideas to emerge from the initiative’s Idea Search that stretches across the Arabic-speaking world will be showcased in the form of TED Talks in the Arabic language

TED speakers at the TEDinArabic Morocco event will be Dr. Hayat Sindi, one of the world’s leading biotechnologists from Saudi Arabia and a global champion of science and technology whose career has included convening a program to provide affordable diagnostic devices for people in impoverished regions; Moroccan civil engineer and architect Aziza Chaouni whose work focuses on creating sustainable environments in the developing world; Dr. Charles Mouhaned Malek, from Syria, and a researcher in molecular and cellular biology and oncology; and Lebanese author, poet, and advocate for the Arabic language Suzanne Talhouk.

The event will be moderated by Al Jazeera journalist and presenter Errammach Mohamed; while Moza Al-Hajri, a student at QF partner university Georgetown University in Qatar, activist, Ajyal Film Festival member, and youth advocate for the Education Above All Foundation, will be giving key remarks.

As well as the TEDinArabic talks, the Morocco event will feature a series of interactive workshops curated by Afikra, a global organization that promotes the diversity and richness of Arab culture and heritage. These will focus on topics including social entrepreneurship, Arab history, and street art.

Among those attending the event and participating in the workshops will be a group of 80 young people from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Tunisia, and Jordan, who have been sponsored to attend by Qatar Museums, Qatar’s preeminent institution for art and culture. TEDinArabic Morocco will also include activations and a performance by a local artist.

The TEDinArabic Idea Search is a mission to unearth big and bold ideas from the Arabic-speaking world, with applications being open until 31 October to anyone who is fluent in Arabic and wants to share their ideas on the TEDinArabic stage at next year’s flagship summit in Qatar.

From innovation, leadership, and economic theory to science, the arts, personal experiences and many other fields and topics, the TEDinArabic Idea Search is seeking fresh ideas that will be relevant, interesting, and surprising to a curious, educated global audience. To find out more about what an idea worthy of sharing on the TEDinArabic stage should look like, and to apply in Arabic for the Idea Search, visit tedinarabic.ted.com/ideasearch/en/

Since TEDinArabic was launched, its website has been visited around two million times. A digital TEDinArabic content library has also been created, containing blogs TED-Ed video lessons, customized videos, and other content in the Arabic language, and this will remain accessible to the world once the partnership between QF and TED concludes.

To register for in-person or virtual attendance at the TEDinArabic Morocco event, which takes place from 11am Morocco time/1pm Doha time on 13 October, visit https://tedinarabic.ted.com/en/dare-to-discover-event

The event will be streamed live on QF’s YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter channels.