“The list of speakers includes some of the most inspiring and motivating individuals inside and outside of the Kurdistan Region,” said Hussen, speaking passionately about an initiative that has kept him busy on his feet for the past six months.
“The interest from the community across all the governorates has been immense,” explained Ary Rasool, Communication and Marketing Director of TEDxNishtiman. “In addition to the 600 volunteering applicants, we have received over 5,000 applications of people interested to be among the audience.”
“On a daily basis, we received messages from people waiting for their invite. We are limited in seats, so there is an immense pressure.”
The theme of the conference set to meet the standards of the international TED talks conference is Rehabilitation and Development.
“With ISIS being a major source of news attention, the Region being surrounded by conflict, war, and desolation, we will showcase the brave stories of individuals who are committed to making their world a better place. People who are change-makers in their own unique way,” detailed Helen Baker, co-organizer of TEDxNishtiman.
Amid his business meetings and exhausting schedule, Hussen and his team chase time as the social media countdown to the event has begun. He is determined for this to be the first of an annual international event to be held in Kurdistan.
With promotional banners on the capital’s major roads, television advertisements, and the event’s official social media hashtag, #TEDxNishtiman, expectations are high. “The team of volunteers is very committed. I am confident we will outdo all expectations and present to Kurdistan the year’s most inspiring event.”
The conference’s official hashtag #TEDxNishtiman is already popular. Hiwa Afandi, tweets “Great nations are great because they materialize greats ideas. See TEDxNishtiman for ideas that matter in our part of the world.”
The speakers’ backgrounds and stories vary. Among the list are farmer Azad Mohammed, musician Hazhar Zahawi, entrepreneur and writer Ravan Al-Taie, as well as Hanna Jaff, Della Murad, and Sherri Kraham.
Raed al-Saleh, head of the White Helmets, is also a much anticipated speaker.
TED’s official page states TEDx events are TED-like talks that are local and self-organized while complying with international standards.
Rudaw is the conference’s exclusive media sponsor, among various other sponsors of the event being held on April 1 in Erbil’s Saad Abdullah Hall.
