TEDxENS Sharjah Youth

Speakers

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

• Allison V Breitenbach

  Meet Allison Breitenbach—a Grade 6 student at Emirates National School, Sharjah, and a proud South African who has been part of the school community for the past five years. Curious, kind, and creatively driven, Allison is inspired by the world around her. She enjoys exploring nature, discovering new ideas, and expressing herself in imaginative ways. Guided by her belief in trying everything at least once, she embraces life with openness, curiosity, and a desire to experience it to the fullest.

• Dr. Mari Simpson

  Dr. Mari Simpson is a global K–12 international school leader, author, and educational consultant with over 21 years of experience in school improvement and transformation. She specializes in scaling effective school systems, building strong people and leadership structures, aligning culture, and driving sustainable change across educational communities.

• Fatma Jammeli

  Fatma Jammeli is a Dubai-based journalist, writer, content creator, and certified AI trainer with over 17 years of experience across print, broadcast, and digital media. Through authentic and compelling storytelling, she uses her voice to inform, inspire, and connect with diverse audiences. Her work reflects a deep commitment to sharing meaningful ideas and creating impact through media, communication, and innovation.

• Khaled Omar AlAli

  Meet Khaled —a 15-year-old Emirati student and youth speaker passionate about inspiring change. He believes that the smallest habits shape the biggest outcomes, and that real transformation begins with a single decision. With a confident voice and clear purpose, Khaled challenges his generation to rethink their daily choices. On the TEDx stage, he highlights a silent but powerful issue—physical inactivity—and invites us to see movement not just as a habit, but as a foundation for a healthier, more meaningful life.

• Leen Fadi

  Meet Leen Fadi—a 15-year-old student who has developed a keen awareness of how people change depending on their surroundings. She observes how individuals can feel free and natural when alone yet become more cautious and adjusted in social settings. Through her perspective, Leen explores what it truly means to be yourself.

• Leen Tahseen

  Meet Leen Tahseen, a 16-year-old voice driven by curiosity and self-discovery. Through moments of doubt and stepping back, she’s learned that growth isn’t always a straight path. Today, on the TEDx stage, Leen reveals how moving backwards can shape who we become and lead us exactly where we’re meant to be!

• Lubna Elidrisi

  Meet Lubna, a creative, curious high school student with a passion for reading, writing, and design. She’s passionate about helping others, exploring new ideas, and turning her thoughts into meaningful projects.

• Mansoor Alfalahi

  Mansoor AlFalahi is a 17-year-old student with a strong interest in understanding the dynamics of social media and its influence on independent thinking. He focuses on observing patterns within online platforms, particularly how rapidly evolving trends can shape perspectives and affect independent thinking.

• Mariam Omar AlShouq

  Meet Mariam Alshouq—a 16-year-old Emirati student with a confident voice and a clear vision. Through her experiences in school and life, she has come to realize that grades do not define who she is or what she is capable of achieving. On the TEDx stage, Mariam shares a powerful message about self-worth, reminding others that true potential goes far beyond numbers—and that believing in yourself is where everything begins.

• Maryam Hazim

  Maryam is a grade 8 student who loves to be an advocate for everyone who is struggling.

• Nawwar Bakkar

  Nawwar Khaled Bakkar is a 15-year-old student in the UAE and a Grade 10 Student Council member. Through his experiences and challenges, he has come to see failure not as an ending, but as part of growth. On the TEDx stage, Nawwar shares his perspective on how we can respond to failure and turn it into something meaningful.

• Nour Oweis

  Curiosity has always been at the heart of Nour Oweis’s journey. Fascinated by the way people think, judge, and make decisions, she enjoys exploring the psychological patterns that shape everyday life. As a student and speaker, Nour is passionate about turning complex ideas into conversations that challenge assumptions and inspire reflection. In her TEDx talk about the bias “What You See Is All There Is”, she examines how our brains often create convincing stories from limited information and how becoming aware of this bias can lead to clearer thinking and better choices.

• Reema AlTeneiji

  Meet Reema—a high school student, creative thinker, and naturally curious voice. Through her experiences in school and everyday life, she has developed a deep interest in the moments people tend to avoid—especially silence. On the TEDx stage, Reema explores why silence feels so uncomfortable and what it reveals about the way we think, connect, and understand ourselves.

• Rihabe Akerkedou

  Rihabe was born and raised in Paris, France, where she developed a strong passion for education from an early age. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Languages and French Literature, along with a diploma in Teaching Arabic and Leadership Education. Beginning her career as a French teacher, Rihabe gained valuable insight into the realities of modern education before advancing into educational leadership, specialising in Languages and National Agenda subjects.

• Saif Arif AlFalasi

  Meet Saif Alfalasi—a 12th-grade Emirati student and thoughtful innovator with a keen eye for the details many overlook. From everyday greetings to the language spoken at home, Saif began noticing subtle shifts he couldn’t ignore. On the TEDx stage, he brings these observations to life, offering a powerful reflection on identity, language, and the traditions we may be losing without realizing it—leaving the audience with one compelling question: in a fast-moving world, what are we unintentionally leaving behind?

• Sarah Hazim

  Sarah is the youngest speaker at our event. She is a grade 6 student who is fond of public-speaking, learning languages, and generating creative ideas to share.

• Shaikha Ayesha AlNuaimi

  Shaikha Ayesha Alnuaimi is a 16-year-old Emirati student driven by passion and a strong desire to grow. She began her journey feeling anxious, held back by the fear of making mistakes and stepping outside her comfort zone. With the encouragement and support of her family, she developed into the confident speaker she is today. On the TEDx stage, Ayesha shares her story while highlighting the powerful role of parental encouragement in shaping a child’s confidence, identity, and future.

• Shaikha Rawdha Khalid AlQasimi

  Meet Shaikha Rawdha Alqasimi—an 18-year-old Emirati innovator and youth leader. Through her journey in leadership, innovation, and real-world impact, she’s learned that the way we define ourselves shapes the way we grow. Rawdha challenges limiting labels and questions the idea that intelligence can be measured in just one way. Today, on the TEDx stage, she invites us to rethink what it truly means to be ‘smart’—and why that definition matters more than we think.

• Sultan AlHajeri

  Sultan Humaid is a 16-year-old Emirati student with a passion for personal growth and exploration. He is driven by a desire to inspire people his age to think bigger, embrace new ideas, and reach their full potential.

• Sultan AlMarzouqi

  Sultan Mohammed Rashid AlMarzouqi is a Grade 10 student at Emirates National School. At 16 years old, he has developed a deep connection with the sea—a place that has brought him calm and clarity since childhood. In his TEDx talk, Sultan reflects on how the ocean became a source of peace, inspiration, and escape from life’s worries.