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).

British Council
65 Mozang Road
Lahore, Punjab, 54000
Pakistan

Arshia QASIM

Arshia Qasim is a neuro-rehabilitation physician who has explored the neuroscience of creativity, and how artistic expression can help bridge the gaps in communication and prove therapeutic in a variety of neurological conditions including aphasia. Founder of the NeuroArt Faculty at Alhamra Art Centre Bernardsville in New Jersey, she holds an MRCP and MSc in Clinical Neurology from the University of London and has also taught at Purdue University. She is an activist and spokesperson for understanding disability, the inclusion of disabled people into our mainstream societies and workforce, and the need to develop research and academic tools in our institutions to be disability-friendly.

Gillian Rhodes

nternationally recognized, Gillian Georgine Rhodes has 20 years’ experience in the art of dance and seven years’ experience as a choreographer. She is a multidimensional artist and a graduate of Columbia University, and has worked as a dancer and choreographer in locations around the world: as an advocate of the performing arts, she has travelled to Cambodia, Malaysia, Paris, and South Korea. In addition to her dance and choreography successes, Gillian is also a writer, model, researcher, curator, and panelist and has recorded original podcasts. Gillian was warmly welcomed by the audience in Pakistan and is currently settled in Lahore, providing workshops in different schools.

Mehreen Shahid

Mehreen Shahid has worked extensively in health systems strengthening and public policy work both in Pakistan and abroad. Passionate about reducing the maternal mortality rate in Pakistan through sustainable community-level interventions, Mehreen founded the Safe Delivery Safe Mother which aims to reduce the extremely high rate of maternal mortality in Pakistan by addressing its leading cause, Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH) and conducting awareness sessions in the rural areas of Pakistan. They have successfully led and executed the training of government-deployed community midwives and conducted awareness sessions for government-deployed female health workers, health supervisors, health visitors, and nurses. Mehreen received the prestigious Annemarie Schimmel Scholarship and completed her post-graduate in Public Policy from University of Oxford. She is currently working as a consultant at McKinsey & Co.

Natasha Humera Ejaz

Infusing folk, jazz, and electronica, Pakistani singer-songwriter, Natasha Humera Ejaz, tailors music that tells the tales of her life. Known widely for her unique singing tone and eclectic approach to songwriting, she has indulged in both solo and collaborative projects over her career, including her debut solo EP “Till the End of Time”, which was recorded and independently released with her band. Natasha graduated from the International College of Music (ICOM), Kuala Lumpur in 2012 with a Certificate in Audio Production. After she graduated and moved back to Pakistan, Natasha started her solo career as well as experimentations with her own electronic music; she created the alter-ego Stupid Happiness Theory to express another side of her musical musings.

Sarah Tareen

Challenging the Pakistani woman stereotype, Sarah has trained in mixed martial arts for two years and aims to raise awareness on topics of women and children’s rights through film and sports activism. Being a pioneer female filmmaker in Pakistan to successfully complete and showcase her film in cinemas, she has invested a decade of hard work in the film and documentary sector working with international broadcasters. Currently, she is working on a feature documentary with UpNorth Film on the children of the slums in Lahore, and how a martial arts gym is getting them off the streets and away from the clutches of fundamentalism.

Tanzeela Qambrani

Tanzeela Qimbrani is the first African-Pakistani woman to be elected as Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) in Sindh. Tanzeela earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science from University of Sindh, Jamshoro, and has been actively involved in promoting equality throughout her career. She has used training sessions and workshops to empower people and has also been awarded many accolades including Sindh Devolved Social Service Programme for outstanding performance. She feels the seat of the parliament is both an opportunity and a challenge for her as she has a new responsibility towards her community.