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).

ISG Dhahran Auditorium
4213, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
Dhahran, Ash Sharqīyah, 31952
Saudi Arabia

Abdul Hakim Lawal

Secondary School Student

Abdul Hakim Lawal is a 16 year old student at the Dhahran British Grammar School, with a profound appreciation for the nuances of daily life, and how demanding it can sometimes be. As a student who still has much to learn from it, Abdul Hakim Lawal likes to explore the underlying concepts and skills required to master daily life.

Adam Irshaid

High School Student

My name is Adam Irshaid and I'm 16. I'm a Jordanian-American High School student and I am currently living in Saudi Arabia. I plan to move to the US once I graduate and pursue a degree in law. I was diagnosed with ADD last summer and after pursuing treatment my life became much better and so I am trying to push for others to do the same as it will revolutionize their lives as it did mine.

Hugh Knight

IGCSE Student

My name is Hugh Reza Knight. 15, on the cusp of 16. There are a lot of bad and good things about me and everyday I'm trying to convert more and more bad into more and more good, like ploughing a field. I live in Saudi Arabia and soon I'll be moving to Britain, and then who knows? I plan to become a psychiatrist and a novel writer as I grow older, so watch out for any books under my name; I'm actually really excited about my current project...

Jad Khoury

International Baccalaureate Student

Coming from Lebanon, the land of cedars, to the deserts of Saudi Arabia, Jad El Khoury is a debater, leader in MUN, and a third culture kid studying at Dhahran High School as a junior. Jad is also pursuing the IB Diploma and is passionate to share ideas worth spreading.

Karima Abou Ghanem

High School Student

My name is Karima Abou Ghanem and I currently attend Dhahran High School as a senior.

Libby Lies

Language and Literature Teacher

Libby Lies is passionate about lots of things, especially traveling, reading, teaching literature, and raising heck. 2018 marks her tenth year of international teaching and her thirty-third year of nerdom.

Mohammad Arhaam Mukati

International Baccalaureate Student

'm Mohammad Arhaam Mukati, 17 year old Muslim Pakistani - Canadian boy living who has promised himself that he will dedicate my life doing something that involves uplifting human rights, fighting for justice, and standing up for the poor and oppressed. BUT, I have one big problem - I have no idea how to get there, well at least not yet. Maybe I'm too optimistic, maybe I'm a bit crazy, I'm not really sure. I mean, part of me dreams of wanting to become either the Prime Minister of Pakistan, work in the Supreme Court of Canada, or even serve as a lawyer for the UN, the other - more sane - part tells me that I need to first finish high school and then University. I know I need to do take action, I can't sit around and do nothing after personally witnessing the suffering of so many people in my country and around the world. But for now, I plan to continue working hard and study int. business, then hopefully int. law. From there on out, only God knows how I'll ever accomplish my goals...

Noura Abdelrazec

High School Student

A student at Dhahran High School, Noura Abdelrazec enjoys expressing her ideas in a creative manner, usually through slam poetry. She uses this medium to spread awareness for the concepts she considers very important, such as mental health and its consequences on youth.

Rachna Korhonen

American Consul General in Saudi Arabia

Rachna Sachdeva Korhonen is the Consul General at the Consulate of the United States in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia as of August 2017. Ms. Korhonen has 14 years of experience as a career U.S. government diplomat. Most recently she served as the Management Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka where she also served as the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission. She has also represented the U.S. Government as a diplomat in Riyadh, Kuwait, Kirkuk, Iraq, and Mumbai. At the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. she served as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Management Affairs. She is the recipient of multiple awards including two Superior Honor Awards for her work in Riyadh and Colombo. Ms. Korhonen completed her undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Mathematics and worked in the Corporate sector for AT&T, IBM as well as internet startup Zed before joining the State Department. She is from Flemington, New Jersey and is married with three children.

Rym Messaoudi

Secondary School Student

My name is Rym Messaoudi, I am 15 years old and a student at Dhahran British Grammar School.

Saira Munir

Secondary School Student

Saira Munir is a seventeen year old, currently in her first year of a-levels at dhahran british grammar school in Saudi Arabia. Her studies in geography, history and economics have taught her the importance of taking action against climate change and alleviating poverty in an attempt to make the world a better place.

Vaniza Ali Merchant

High School Student

My name is VanizaAli Merchant. I am 16 years old and currently a Junior in Dhahran High School in Eastern Saudi Arabia.

Vishesh Jain

High School Student

My name is Vishesh Jain a.k.a Fish. I am 13 years old and I am currently a Freshman at the Dhahran High School in Eastern Saudi Arabia.