TEDxBeirut: From Limitation to Inspiration

Thank you Dian!

Without you, I would have probably missed out on the wonderful experience that was TEDxBeirut.

The first time I’ve heard of TED in general, was in the summer of 2008 in Istanbul (where I’ve met Dian during a pre-Masters summer program that helped us prepare our journey to the UK).

After watching a couple of videos I got hooked with the concept, the speakers and the contagious positive energy behind it all.

For those who are unfamiliar with the TED and TEDx concepts, here’s what you need to know:

• TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to “Ideas Worth Spreading” with inspirational figures delivering speeches and performances that summarize their passions and success stories

• TEDx is a program of local self-organized events that bring people and speakers together to share a TED-like experience ans share “Ideas Worth Spreading”

And today was the founding TEDxBeirut event: a full-day happening with speeches, food, social spaces for interaction – and loads of new and accomplished TEDsters!

I loved the talks of Katia Saleh, Yorgui Teyrouz, Reine Abbas, Halim Madi and especially Ziad Abi Chaker; I benefited from the talk of Michael Kouly and Mahmoud Natout on a personal and academic level; I was entertained by the erratic style of Arne Dietrich; and I was impressed by the technological achievements and musical prowess of Bassam Jalgha.

But the speech that made my day was the one delivered by Hassan Aziz. I was so proud of my high school buddy taking center stage and receiving a well-deserved public acknowledgement to his immense talent and cross-Atlantic accomplishments through his companies DearMinds and Graphics eMotion.

I am lucky to know someone as passionate and genuine as Hassan as he helps me keep reaching for the stars. Kudos to a job well done! (now that’s TED material right there :D)

This event was nothing short of amazing on so many levels:

• I was fortunate to be part of a fired-up team of volunteers who made this event possible
• I felt a beautiful collective energy of like-minded individuals hungry for change, growth and success
• I finally managed to meet Abir and Boudy two people I hold in high regard :)
• I’ve had the chance to met a true role model of mine: Zeina Awaydate - a smart, enthusiastic and ambitious young Muslim woman who made Lebanon proud in the first season of “Mujaddidun“

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For those who didn’t make it today, expect some videos soon on the dedicated YouTube channel. If you’d like to take part of future events, make sure to follow TEDxBeirut on Facebook and Twitter to receive all the updates.

Wishing you all a wonderful and inspiring TED-esque journey in life :)

Dar El Akhdar