TEDxDamascus

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Abdalkareem Mahmoud

  Researcher & Humanitarian Worker

  Abdalkareem Mahmoud is a researcher and humanitarian worker focusing on behavioral change and societal stability. Working within behavioral change programs at UNICEF, he possesses a deep understanding of the social and economic dynamics that contribute to community recovery. Through his research and on-the-ground experience, he seeks to bridge the economy with sustainable peacebuilding. At TEDxDamascus, Abdalkareem explores the crucial relationship between human nature and economic stability. He emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship and the building of shared interests, viewing them as a fundamental pillar and safety valve for recovering communities aiming to establish long-term peace.

• Abdulaziz Alnablsi

  Engineering Student & Youth Mentor

  Abdulaziz Alnablsi is an electrical engineering student, startup co-founder, and a dedicated youth mentor. He serves as an ambassador for international community programs, helping dozens of young people build their capacities and organize their lives. Abdulaziz defied the personal challenge of stuttering, refusing to let it silence him. Instead, he chose to become a voice and a motivator for others facing obstacles. At TEDxDamascus, he gracefully combines his technical background with his passion for mentoring. He shares his approach of "Transformation Engineering," proving that weakness, when understood and accepted, becomes a true strength and fuel for changing one's life path.

• Abdulrahman Hawa

  Amateur Actor & Youth Activist

  Abdulrahman Hawa is a young acting talent and youth activist who continuously develops his artistic tools through interactive theater and on-camera performance. He has participated in several dramas, short films, and live theatrical shows. Abdulrahman views art and theater not merely as entertainment, but as a vibrant tool for free human expression and societal awareness. His ideas focus on how young people can overcome crises of belonging and navigate life's challenges. At TEDxDamascus, he shares an inspiring vision on how to recover lost passion to elevate the quality of life, moving from a state of mere survival to living with true purpose and meaning.

• Dr.Mustafa Kayyali

  Academic & Higher Education Expert

  Dr. Mustafa Kayyali is a Syrian academic, researcher, and international expert in quality assurance and higher education development. He currently serves as a Quality Assurance Center Director, striving to connect academic institutions with global standards. With over 30 authored books and 250 published papers, he is recognized as the most prolific Syrian researcher in the Scopus database. His academic work has gained international visibility, and his books are used as references worldwide. At TEDxDamascus, he discusses the soft power of knowledge, viewing it as the "invisible infrastructure" upon which the renaissance and development of societies are built.

• Eilaf Brghleh

  Science Content Creator & Researcher

  Eilaf Brghleh is a researcher and science content creator widely known as the "Brain Translator." Holding a bachelor's degree in medical sciences, she is dedicated to simplifying complex concepts of neuroscience and learning. Eilaf works to transform theoretical brain mechanisms into practical, engaging, and lived experiences for learners. She has designed an innovative curriculum based on the concept of "learning how to learn through experience." At TEDxDamascus, Eilaf invites the audience to rethink traditional educational systems. She advocates for the abandonment of rote indoctrination in favor of modern learning approaches based on deep comprehension, lived experience, and innovation.

• Julie Al Ereksoussi

  Student & Young Talent

  At just seven years old, Julie Al Ereksoussi is the youngest speaker to ever take a TEDx stage in Syria. She is a multi-talented child who has already proven her exceptional abilities as a reading champion, a poetry reciter, and an eloquent public speaker in both Arabic and English. Julie has opened exhibitions and delivered speeches in front of officials and ambassadors, demonstrating a confident voice that belies her age. At TEDxDamascus, she represents the honest, innocent voice of childhood. She poses a fundamental question that touches the heart of every parent, highlighting the genuine emotional needs and psychological support children expect from their families.

• Malak Arafeh Alsayed

  Youth Leader & Debate Coach

  Malak Arafeh Alsayed is a youth leader and debate club founder working at the intersection of education, digital innovation, and community action. She has represented Syria at global youth summits, engaging in international dialogues on education, climate action, and digital transformation. Malak operates from a firm belief that youth are capable partners in building solutions, not mere beneficiaries waiting for the future. She uses debate and design as tools to foster critical thinking and create systemic change. At TEDxDamascus, she addresses the phenomenon of "self-exclusion," offering a vision that pushes the younger generation to transition from waiting to actively seizing opportunities.

• Mustafa Fathallah

  Partnership & Development Expert

  Mustafa Fathallah is an expert in partnerships and development management with a career spanning over 15 years across the private sector, humanitarian work, and international organizations. Currently pursuing a Global MBA in London, he holds a comprehensive strategic vision for post-crisis community recovery, focusing heavily on investing in human and institutional capital. Mustafa advocates for a shift in perspective when rebuilding nations. At TEDxDamascus, he presents the concept of comprehensive "redesign," emphasizing that rebuilding goes beyond merely restoring physical infrastructure; it requires redesigning ways of life and economic systems to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.

• Safa Sayed Issa

  Entrepreneur & Executive Director

  Safa Issa is an entrepreneur and executive director with over ten years of experience in event management. She is the founder of Lavender Agency, organizing major commercial and governmental events. Beyond her professional success, Safa's life took a dramatic turn when she survived the devastating 2023 earthquake, experiencing the harsh reality of being trapped under the rubble for hours. This profound ordeal became a turning point, inspiring her to delve deeply into the concepts of psychological resilience and positive recovery. At TEDxDamascus, she shares her solid methodology on how one can transform devastating traumas into real opportunities for self-rebuilding and rising again.

• Zeina Alkawarit

  Athlete & National Team Player

  Zeina Alkawarit is a 16-year-old sports champion and a player in the Syrian national team. She represents an ambitious generation of youth striving for excellence in multiple fields. Balancing her athletic commitments with her studies, Zeina brings a unique and mature perspective on the pressures faced by young achievers. Drawing from her personal journey, she boldly highlights the deep challenges and hidden psychological pressures experienced by professional student-athletes. At TEDxDamascus, she advocates for building a cultural and institutional framework that supports "dual excellence," providing a healthy mental balance between academic success and athletic perfection.