Posts tagged uae

TEDxYouth@EISJ: We Are One

Martin Luther King once said, “We have learned to fly the air like birds and swim the sea like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers.” As we continue to evolve and as our population continues to expand, I believe that this quote remains as true as ever.

In a world with seven billion people who speak more than 6,000 languages, the concept of unity has been hard to grasp.

Our teacher thought of the theme “We Are One” for TEDxYouth@EISJ, our TEDxYouthDay event. Our teacher felt that we needed to embrace our togetherness. But I’ll admit that while I was eager to participate in an event that allowed my opinions to be voiced, the idea of unity never occurred to me as anything of serious importance.

However, as the weeks progressed, our group of students began to work closely with one another. We divided ourselves into various action groups, such as promotion, public relations, stage curation, and so on. Each group assigned a group leader. Over the following weeks, we worked hours on end to make the event the success that it was, with all of us suggesting ideas about how to raise funds, what issues needed to be addressed, and which methods we would use to publicize the event.

Throughout our organizing process, none of us fully acknowledged why we were working with the topic “We Are One.” Before the event, many of us even spoke about the importance of unity and harmony in a society, but I don’t think we actually felt the impact of that concept until the moment the curtains parted and we saw the beaming looks on the faces of our audience and heard the sound of applause. It was then, at the start of our event on November 20th, 2011, that we understood the degree to which we had truly become one in the organization of this event.

Although the event is now over, it is something that I feel blessed to have been a part of. My experiences with TEDxYouth@EISJ are playing a huge role in the person that I want to become. The event allowed me to realize that I want to be a voice for future generations, and that I want to make change in the society that we live in. This does not mean that I’m going to change the world overnight, but the lessons learned through the event allowed me to see that I need to start with small steps in order to one day take a giant leap.

TEDxYouth@EISJ was an incredible journey — something so much bigger than us.

Written by Wafa Junaid, an official TEDxYouth@EISJ reporter.

TEDxYouth@EISJ: An Astounding Event!

On Sunday, November 20th, 11 speakers and 10 performers –- all students — kept us glued to the theater’s chairs with their astounding speeches and musical performances.

In the theater foyer there were activities that reflected the global theme of “Play, Learn, Build & Share.”

TEDxYouth@EISJ earned rave reviews from both students and teachers:

It was one of the best students functions that I have ever attended in my years of teaching. I had planned on leaving after the first interval, however I was so emotionally attached that I couldn’t bring myself to go. - Ms. Sara Evans

Without doubt the best school presentations I have ever witnessed. - Mr. Peter Dennehy, Business and Economics Teacher

I definitely felt connected to all the participants and enjoyed the very personal material that they shared. Fantastic job! It was inspiring and kept me thinking all night. - Ms. Assya Makawi, Art subject leader 

Students were absolutely fabulous last night. I was impressed by the variety of talents on display.  All of the students made EIS – J proud last night. - Mrs. Amber Singh, Deputy Principal Curriculum

WOW! I cannot find the words to describe my experience last night. - Mrs. Barbara Exley, Deputy Principal Welfare

I‘m still in awe of the musical performances and the ability and depth of thought that our students demonstrated in the presentations, I’m still emotional. I sincerely thank the teaching team  for giving up so much of their time so our students could experience last evening, they will remember that for a long time. Well done. - Mr. Phillip Burgess, Principal

I started this project because I wanted to have a CAS experience and something special to put in my college application but after being in it I enjoyed so much, I had so much fun  that I didn’t even think of those elements any more. - Samia Merchant, 12th grade student

It was so special. We made it! - Nikhil Punwaney, TEDxYouth@EISJ team leader

We will miss our TEDx meetings! Let’s have some more. - Nessma Djouri, TEDxYouth@EISJ stage curator

TEDxDubai wins at Promax Arabia

The TEDxDubai 2010 REBOOT opening sequence won two gold awards at the recent Promax Arabia. We won best Opening Sequence and best Audio. A big thank you to Andrea Dionisio and all the staff at Metaphrenie. You guys rock. As Gold winner the sequence will compete in other Promax conferences around the globe. Opening Sequences Worth Spreading, from Dubai to the world.