Theme: Turn the Tide

TEDxAUK is a collaborative experience that inspires innovative thinking and aims to move others towards
purposeful action. This conference will be centered on the theme “Turn the tide” – a map to understanding
and finding one’s inner voice, realizing the power of one’s dreams, and leaving trails for others to follow. We
aim to foster the ideas of TED, “believing passionately in the power of ideas to change attitude,
lives and ultimately, the world.”

American University in Kosovo
Germia Campus Nazim Gafurri, 21 Dr. Shpëtim Robaj
Prishtina, Tiranë, 10000
Albania

Alketa Xhafa Mripa

Artist

Alketa Xhafa Mripa is a Kosovo-born artist and British national, who became famous with her exhibition “Thinking of You” which transformed the football pitch in Prishtina into a giant art installation, with thousands of dresses hung on washing lines in a powerful and poignant tribute to survivors of sexual violence. Xhafa-Mripa chose the dress or skirt to symbolize fragility and purity, and by hanging out 5,000 dresses on washing lines, she has given a new spin to a familiar expression.

Astrit Nixha

Architect

Astrit Nixha is an architect who graduated in architectural engineering in the Univeristy of Prishtina in 1991. He is currently the proprietor of ANARCH Prishtina. His latest work, Klan Kosova TV, became widely known for being one of first big projects in Kosovo that was built with recycled material and minimal expenses. Apart from being an architect and project manager of many projects in Kosovo, Nixha was also a project manager of projects outside of Kosovo. His passion for architecture and engineering are evident in all his projects.

Ben Blushi

Writer

Ben Blushi (born 1 January 1969 in Tirana) is an Albanian politician, writer and journalist. Ben Blushi studied at the University of Tirana, graduating in Albanian language and literature. He was editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Koha Jonë,” and in 1999 embarked upon a political career in the cabinet of Prime Minister Fatos Nano. For several months he served as deputy minister of foreign affairs, and in late 2000 he became Prefect of Korça. Blushi is currently is a Member of Parliament of the Socialist Party of Albania

Blendi Fevziu

Journalist

Blendi Fevziu (born May 18, 1969, Tirana, Albania) is an Albanian journalist, writer and host of the TV talk show Opinion, which first went on air on 31 August 1997.Fevziu graduated in literature and Albanian language at the University of Tirana in 1991. In 1989 he was part of the staff of the Student newspaper of the University. In December 1990 and February 1991 he was an active participant in the students' movement that brought the change of regime in Albania. On 5 January 1991 he was the co-founder of the “RD” (Democratic Renaissance) newspaper, the first free newspaper after almost 70 years of independent media blackout in Albania.

Shpend Thaqi

Entrepreneur

Shpend Thaqi is a Kosovo-Albanian entrepreneur, who has finished his graduate studies in the University of Prishtina with concentration in Banks, Finance and Accounting. He continued his postgraduate studies in Rochester Institute of Technology, graduating in 2011, with Master degree on Science in Public Administration. In 2009, Shpend together with Petrit Sinani founded Sach L.L.C. Currently, this business that is based in Prishtina, operates a very successful pizza chain “SachPizza” and coffee shop “Sach Caffe”, and employ more than 74 individuals.