Theme: Building Blocks

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).

DAA Auditorium
Dubai American Academy
Dubai, Dubayy
United Arab Emirates

Abhinav Das

Abhinav Das is an admitted expert procrastinator. He is in fact in second to none in putting things off until later. As a student, he has learned a lot from his experiences.

Amol Goyal

Amol Goyal prides himself on being an individual. As a student, it is easy to conform in order to fit in. Amol believes that being an individual is much more fulfilling, and will lead to greater happiness.

Angad Arora

Angad Arora is a former high school student at DAA planning to study Sustainability in university. He envisions about innovation for the future, especially towards sustainable use of resources and for society to become more "green" as a whole.

Emily Jardine

Emily is passionate about inclusion, diversity, and their intersection with discourse and rhetoric. How people talk about the things that matter is the first step in creating dynamic and long-lasting change. She is currently pursuing her PhD, analyzing the language of leadership and the accessibility of leadership. It is critical that we deconstruct systems and understand better how to create opportunities for change that will create equality and promote diversity.

Gnebe Diouf

What do we really know about writers? And why spend night and day stringing words together just to have a stranger skim over them without realizing they have just dismissed a part of your soul? As a self proclaimed obsessive writer/reader, Gnebe knows the struggle of ink covered arms a little too well. Everyone has their own reasons for what that they do, and this is hers.

Jonathan Dawit

Jonathan Dawit performs two self-written spoken word pieces from the honest and vulnerable perspective of a teenager. The poems attempt to honestly capture the struggles that come with racism and depression.

JP Smit

JP had a life changing moment when talking to his grandmother 3 years ago. He now tells people to really enjoy every minute of our short lives and whilst doing that, making sure we positively change the never ending chain of events which is the Butterfly Effect.

Khizer Asad

Many emerging technologies, specifically 3D printing are highly intriguing and seem to have promise for the future. When looking into this though there are many implications to be considered, which Khizer Asad evaluates with knowledge from extensive research and resources, as well as with some firsthand experience.

Nigel Scholten

Paul McMahon

Paul McMahon is the High School Assistant Principal of Dubai American Academy. He is an experienced teacher of History, Politics and Media Studies and holds a B.A. in History and Politics and has M.A. degrees in Journalism and International Relations. His research interests include Global Citizenship Education and International Mindedness. ​

Ria Chinchankar

Can you imagine a world where we aren’t restricted by gender roles? Ria Chinchankar, a ninth grade student at Dubai American Academy can. This Mulan-inspired feminist discusses the extensive history of gender roles in various societies, how they harm us, and what we can do to combat them. Gender equality is possible, but only if we take the steps to make it happen.

Sabeen Sumrein

Music is much more meaningful than a compilation of notes and rests to Sabeen. It's a form of unity, a complex incomprehensible trigger to the human emotions. A form of expression, whether it's simply acquiring these vibrations or creating them, that has impacted all of us in similar yet completely different ways.

Sukanya Mehta

Sukanya, a 10th grade student, is a self-proclaimed amateur facebook stalker.