From the Curator

Tedx event is a great platform for idea

sharing where people of all culture

and discipline can contribute

unconventional and unparalleled

ideas that attaches a deeper

understanding of the world. It not only

inspires others but gives them a new

dimension to think on particular

topics. The ideas that are spread from

this platform are life changing that can

mold one’s attitude and perhaps few

can change the entire world.

As an attendee of TED 2019

Vancouver, I was thoroughly amazed

by the culture of celebrating vast array

of ideas and how there is a continuous

evolution and unfolding of ideas

regardless of people agreeing or

disagreeing to that idea. I strongly

believe progressive communities

thrive because of practice of such free

flow of ideas. Contrary in our country

ideas are constrained and are often

copied and repeated. Most of our

workshops and events are very unlike

TED where we have the same pool of

speakers often found to be preaching

about similar topics that does not

quite facilitate the true ignition of

ideas. The TED talks, on the other

hand, are quite thought- provoking

and energizing. Ted has always been a

floor for sharing ideas that shape the

perception of a community that bears

benevolent results for the society at

large. Also, the format used in Tedx

event is unique and creative which

motivated me to organize a TEDx

event in Bangladesh where a large

number of people will be benefited by

the inspiring ideas that can be shared

in this platform.

Theme: “Innovation Enabling Social Change”

There are a lot of social issues around us that calls for our immediate action that

inspired me to host my first TEDx event with the theme of “Innovation Enabling

Social Change”. Even the 17 SDGs are thriving to combat these social issues and

create a peaceful life for people around the globe. Social issues cannot be solved

magically within a day; it needs smart ideas for handling. Through incorporating

innovation in every sector we can aim to fight these social challenges and create a

sustainable positive change in the society and the lives of many. The talks and the

brilliant concepts & initiatives that showcased in our TEDx event will hopefully

inspire people to invest their energy, thoughts, and dedication on innovation that

will serve as agents of change in the future. This is my goal in hosting a TEDx event

and we have come along with a brilliant pool of speakers to hopefully inspire and be

inspired!

Ashfaq Zaman, CPA President & Curator TEDxGulshan

About Organization

TED TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to “Ideas Worth Spreading”. Started as a four-day conference in California

30 years ago, TED has grown to support its mission with multiple initiatives. The two annual TED Conferences invite

the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less. Many of these talks are then made available

free at TED.com. The annual TED Conference takes place each spring in Vancouver, British Columbia. TED’s media

initiatives include TED.com, where new TED Talks are posted daily; TED Translators, which provides subtitles and

interactive transcripts as well as translations from volunteers worldwide; the educational initiative TED-Ed. TED has

established The Audacious Project that takes a collaborative approach to funding ideas with the potential to create

change at thrilling scale. TEDx, which supports individuals or groups in hosting local, self- organized TED-style events

around the world, and the TED Fellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to

amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

TEDx In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-

organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxGulshan, where

x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxGulshan event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to

spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx

program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.

TEDxGulshan In essence & spirit of TEDx, TEDxGulshan aims forward to host the biggest TEDx events in this region connecting the

thought leaders, academics, changemakers & entrepreneurs to bring about a social change or share an idea worth

spreading.

14

Speakers

650 Participants

360

Minutes of

Idea sharing

Conference overview

Opening session

Shared Ideas & Stories

STAR Children transforming society to become a true human being

“Social change often does not require large and elaborate programs, a small encouragement, a small honest and passionate mentoring can be effective as well. We must not forget that a good thing also has a domino effect. A good society, in turn, can ‘contagiously’ transform other societies and eventually we can change

the planet with good human beings.” -Syed Tamjidur Rahman

Democracy in need of innovation “Democracies are the best system of governance of which we are aware.

But the same style of democracy will not provide the same results in every environment. If we are to build a future on the basis of the core principles

espoused by a liberal democracy, those of liberty, equality, and choice, then globally we must give choice back to the people. We live in an age where we

actually can. I hope for a future where democracy truly reigns supreme. Where its values are cherished not only in the developed West, but

everywhere else as well.” -Bobby Hajjaj

Antidote to stagnation is Innovation.

“However small an idea, how we develop it and help it grow paves the way to huge revolutions and marvelous achievements! So more power to all those ideas that have the power to bring about a social change and benefit

mankind in unthinkable ways.” –Major Mohommed Ali Shah

Future possibilities of Freelancing in Bangladesh

“The global freelancing market size is already huge, and it is only expected to increase and expand. We have nearly one-third of our educated young people

who are now unemployed. So, the future, dear young people, is freelancing. You acquire skills and sell your skills. You will earn more, have more freedom,

and more importantly, contribute to the development of your country.”

– Salman F rahman

It’s all about mindset

“Success in my family has always been about being happy and moving forward. It is state of acceptance and fulfillment. The day we can accept and respect

Each other’s vision of happiness, we ourselves will be happy. By being there for people, we end up receiving love and care ourselves. By supporting people in their aspirations and dreams, we end up achieving our own set targets. The

change happens when we move forward and make it happen for others.”

-Zara Mahbub

Nonlinear Optics on Cancer detection

“In the public universities in Bangladesh, until recently research was not very widespread. Bangladesh has always been a place of innovation – even if we don’t think of it that way. We have confronted problems head on as they have come our way. And now, we have students waiting to be provided with an opportunity to do research and contribute to the creation of new knowledge. All you can do is trust in the process of science and research, and keep looking

for the next step!” –Dr. Yasmeen Haque

The gig economy

“The gig economy is playing an important role in Bangladesh addressing socio economic problems related to unemployment and underemployment,

especially among the youth who are also quickest to adapt to technology. It is also creating a very sustainable source of income for women, who find

it hard to enter the full-time workforce due to family commitments and often social taboo. These were some of the reasons which inspired me to

start Shohoz.com, which is an online service delivery platform providing gig opportunities for millions of Bangladeshi people.” – Maliha M Quadir

Dealing with judgement & negativity

“Write down something absolutely incredible that we did, our determinations, our achievements in small pieces of papers and put them all in a box. This box is our very own power bank. It won’t charge my or your phone. It will charge our mind. It will charge our soul. It will charge us, so that we should never stop chasing our dreams. It will charge us so that we keep working tirelessly towards our goals, far above these people every single day. Good

luck with your dreams. Go chase them, as fast as you can.” -Ayman Sadik

THINKING BIG can change the world

“Successful individuals believe that nothing is impossible and think about how things can be done. never ever think small, never look at yourself in a molecular manner. Endeavor to achieve big things. Believe, learn, experiment and experience to change things. Focus on solving problems. People who achieve success do not look for excuses. The only way to get along in life is to be optimistic about whatever you are going through. You are more powerful

than you think you are.” –Niaz Rahim

“Something Old, Something New” Through Fashion for Development

We need to raise awareness of the urgent need to collect, documenting and preserving age-old weaving techniques, contribute to the preservation of

crafts and create the design and fashion of the future and contribute towards building inclusive societies in today’s knowledge-driven world, assuring a

proper place of the crafts people.

“Save the crafts people and help revive their dreams.” –Bibi Russell

Study abroad system for graduation

“I am convinced that study abroad should be mandatory for graduation and that Bangladesh is a great place to come for that purpose. Bangladesh is a great place to come to do research, so let’s promote it as a destination country for study abroad and make study abroad

mandatory for all students to create a more peaceful world.” –Dr. Katherine Li

Govpreneurship and Govpreneurs in Bangladesh

“We have found innovation to be a bottom-up process. It really needs to start by understanding the pains of the citizens, going to that

empathy. So, the combination of the bottom-up to create a solution prototype and top-down scaling up through policymaking is really

what the govpreneurs do best and we are on a journey to create

thousands of govpreneurs in Bangladesh.” –Anir Chowdhury

Innovation enabling social changes in real-estate “The old home which is neglected, we youths will prioritize to be funded and we all will participate in building such shelters for the sake of humanity. This industry needs more empathy this industry needs different aptitude, we need different attitudes. We need gender diversity, we need more youths for the innovation revolution. It’s a high time we let the industry roar to innovation and let gender diversity and youthfulness drive away from the ghosts of the

past.” -Mahir Ali Khan

THE GIFT OF TEST

“I wasn’t known for the blind girl with the heart disease anymore- I was Known for being my children’s mother and over 2000 personalized events that I curated and for my dream restaurant O’Play. And come what may-

I will tread on, with the same diligence, same hunger and same humbleness

that I had 8 years ago.”- Sausan Khan Moyeen

TEDxGulshan Performance- Naveed Mahbub

Closing Session & Vote of Thanks

Ide

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Tho

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Survey Results

Partners

Media Partners

Thank You!