TED talks tune into big ideas in the Arabic world
A prestigious TED group dedicated to "ideas worth spreading" on Monday attempt to provide a global stage for Arabic speaking thinkers, artists and change-makers.
TED organizers at the US-based nonprofit Sapling Foundation announced that they teamed with the Qatar Foundation on a two-year initiative that may culminate with a flagship conference in Doha in 2022.
This is the first-time the TED Conference, known for an influential and accomplished community which includes founders of Amazon, Google, and Netflix, will give attention to sharing "solutions, inventions, and stories" in Arabic.
"We at TED have always valued the energy of delivering talks in one's native language, and the nuance and richness that comes with doing this," said Chris Anderson, the top of TED.
"The TEDinArabic initiative is an important part of that journey."
The intent is to share impassioned TED Talks in Arabic that may change perceptions and benefit societies, according to organizers.
"Language is more than just a method of communication; it influences the way we think and how exactly we frame our perceptions on a subconscious level," Qatar Foundation chief executive Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani said in a release.
"With TEDinArabic, I am hoping we can continue the procedure of amplifying ideas from our region to a global audience in a language that is synonymous with innovation and new thinking."
TED India, launched in 2017, features both original content and talks in Hindi. It's been a hit partly due to television set distribution and the star power of the platform's host - actor Shah Rukh Khan.
TED en Espanol launched 2 yrs ago featuring content in Spanish, and TED in Chinese is a newly launched podcast highlighting ideas from throughout China.
Meanwhile, volunteers have translated TED "talks" into 115 languages, according to organizers.
The conference born in Northern California in 1984 during that which was said to be a one-off event has grown right into a global forum for heady ideas.
TED is well known for trademark "talks" during which the brilliant, innovative, artistic or accomplished deliver thought-sparking presentations in 18 minutes or less.
In 2006, TED began to record talks and post them online.
As TED talks were posted in more languages, traffic to the website soared. Talks have spread to tv and radio. Captivating TED speakers have become Internet stars.
Richard Saul Wurman, who started the gatherings that Anderson's non-profit Sapling Foundation transformed into the TED of today, has described the gathering as a social gathering that has converted into "a banquet for your world."
Source: www.thejakartapost.com
