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

Ayesha Raza Farooq

Policymaker

Ayesha Raza Farooq serves as the second Chairperson of the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC). She has been a member of Pakistan’s National Assembly and also the Senate of Pakistan. She has also notably led the Pakistan Polio Program in Pakistan as Prime Minister’s Focal Person and won the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in recognition of her efforts towards polio eradication, showcasing her commitment to public health and children welfare. She has a distinguished academic career, being recipient of Gold medal in her LLB from the University of Punjab and was placed on the Deans Honor List in MBA at the Lahore University of Management Sciences. She is also serving as chairperson of the Special statutory Committee of the Anti-Rape Investigation and Trial Act, 2021. Ayesha is also a member of the Partnership Council, Immunization Agenda 2030, a global-level immunization partner leadership group. She also serves on the boards of Salman Sufi Foundation and the Bhandara Foundation.

Farheen Raza Jaffry

Singer

A vocalist trained under the esteemed Ustaad Nasiruddin Saami, possesses a voice that transcends genres with its soulful depth & evocative power. Music has always been her language, guiding her steps from concert stages to the ateliers of designers like Fahad Hussayn and Zara Shahjahan. But Farheen's versatility isn't just confined to melodies. It echoes in her educational background, where a BBA with a major in marketing from Lahore School of Economics laid the foundation for her sharp business acumen, seamlessly intertwined with her artistic flair. This harmonious blend shines through in her professional trajectory as her upcoming fashion label promises to be a captivating manifestation of this very synergy. Having shared the stage with icons like Ali Sethi and Mekaal Hassan. Whether weaving soulful covers or composing her own ghazals, her music reflects the same versatility that defines her journey, a tapestry woven with threads of melody, business acumen, and artistic intuition.

Fatima Amjed

Performing Artist

With a profound passion for the art of semi-classical dance, Fatima Amjed is a dedicated instructor, seamlessly blending tradition with innovation in her teachings. As a playwright and director, her creative journey has found its zenith in the founding of "Baeyyet," a distinguished theater production that reflects her commitment to fostering the performing arts.

Izza Farrakh

Education Specialist

Izza Farrakh is a Senior Education Specialist in the South Asia region at the World Bank, where she works on improving foundational learning levels across provinces and strengthening institutions for service delivery. Before joining the World Bank, Izza worked as the Head of Pakistan for the global advisory firm, Adam Smith International, and has over 20 years of experience working on public sector reform with various international non-government and research organizations. Izza has a Master’s in Public Policy and Management from the School of Oriental and African Studies and a Bachelor’s in Economics and English from the University of Virginia.

Kristin K. Hawkins

Diplomat

Ms. Kristin K. Hawkins, the 34th U.S. Consul General in Lahore, is a career member of the U.S. Foreign Service and most recently served as the Coordinator for Economic and Development Assistance at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. In that role, she oversaw efforts relating to planning and implementing U.S. civilian assistance programs in Pakistan. Her other prior assignments in the U.S. Department of State include Senior Georgia Desk Officer in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs in Washington; Deputy Spokesperson in Kyiv, Ukraine; Political Officer and Front Office Staff Assistant in Moscow, Russia; and Consular Officer in Kingston, Jamaica. Ms. Hawkins is from Virginia and has a bachelor’s degree in foreign affairs and economics from the University of Virginia. She speaks Russian and has studied Ukrainian and French

Nadia Jamil

Artist

Nadia Jamil is an award winning British Pakistani actor, activist, who works and campaigns for children’s rights. She is also a certified NLP Master Practitioner, Hypnotherapist and TLT Practitioner. Her popular acting and self-realization workshops have been designed for both the public and private, as well as the corporate sector. These workshops train actors, children, adults, and teachers in communication, deportment, self-realization, acting, elocution, expression, and self confidence. She also works in areas of conflict resolution, development, and public education, but her specialization is working on trauma in children. Nadia has been working both as an actor and as a social activist in child protection for over 30 years now. She runs her practice and Mindfulness Centre, The Empty Space & Nadia Jamil's Imaginarium and lives between Lahore, London and Twitter (X) with her family and hundreds of children and dogs.

Risham Waseem

Storyteller and Activist

Risham Waseem is a digital storyteller, media trainer and communication and advocacy strategist based in Lahore, Pakistan. She is the director of Maati TV( www.maatitv.com),Pakistan’s first web TV dedicated towards creating advocacy and awareness on Climate Justice, Gender Justice, Equal Citizenship and Cultural Diversity. As the director of Maati TV, she has created over 300 digital stories on various human rights issues and has trained over 3000 individuals in citizen journalism and social media advocacy. She has been the recipient of both Chevening South Asian Journalism fellowship and the Hurford Youth Fellowship. She is interested in understanding the global trends of the information industry, how it will impact the existing models of media and journalism and what new spaces can be created.

Tania Aidrus

Technologist

Tania envisions Pakistan as an emerging leader in technology and innovation in the rapidly evolving global digital landscape over the next decade. She served as an advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan. She also helped build Pakistan’s Covid-19 data driven-response strategy as part of the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC). Tania is a founding Board member at Rayn, a tech holding company and also at Endeavor Pakistan. Tania spent over a decade at Google in the US and Singapore. She played a key role in the product strategy for the rollout of GPay across multiple countries. Tania also started Google’s business in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and led those teams as the Country Manager. She co-founded a health-tech startup – ClickDiagnostics, and spent a portion of her career consulting for private and public sector organizations at Booz Allen Hamilton. Tania holds an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management and a BSc from Brandeis University.