Theme: Being Socially Smart in an Era of Artificial Intelligence!

When creativity and innovation are blended within a social and community development context, the outcome is "ideas worth spreading" and "stories worth sharing and reflecting on". Our first TEDxCDA journey has been hallmarked with originality; substantiated with data and evidence-based practice; and facilitated by the eagerness to learn more, share more, and better serve the community.

Museum of the Future
67CP+H4Q - Sheikh Zayed Rd - Trade Centre - Trade Centre 2
Dubai, Dubayy, 66610
United Arab Emirates

Abdula Al Shehhi

Rehabilitation Specialist, Community Development Authority (CDA)

Abdula is a Rehabilitation Specialist in the Vulnerable Group Department at CDA. In his TEDx talk, Abdula took the audience through his thrilling journey from the past, which keeps haunting him, to the present as an awareness avante-garde and substance abuse rehabilitation specialist. He also reimagined how AI can be integrated across the various legs of the rehabilitation journey in the near future.

Hend Ahmed Ali

Senior HR Executive, Community Development Authority (CDA)

Ms. Hend Ahmed Ali is a Senior HR Executive in the HR Department at CDA. In her TEDxCDA talk, she tackled an unusual, sometimes tacit, but rapidly expanding type of addiction: smartphone addiction.

Houda Fahed Jarbou

Family Counselling Supervisor, Community Development Authority (CDA)

Ms. Houda Fahed Jarbou is a Family Counselling Supervisor in the Persons with Disability Department at CDA. In her TEDxCDA talk, she narrates the story of a little girl and her legacy (Ya Sanady) that has transformed into one of the remarkable Dubai Government initiatives (Sanad).

Louise Lambert

Director of Happiness and Wellbeing Programs, Happiness Matters

Dr. Louise Lambert is a psychologist, organizational consultant, and Researcher. She is an expert in positive psychology. She is also the Editor of the Middle East Journal of Positive Psychology, a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to regional wellbeing. In her TEDx talk, she showcased why being a little bit miserable might be a lot good when it comes to happiness and wellbeing.

Maitha Al Shamsi

CEO, Community Development Authority (CDA)

Ms. Maitha Al Shamsi is a CEO at CDA. In her TEDxCDA talk, she showcased the authentic link between leadership and storytelling and how storytelling can serve as an invaluable source of qualitative data to inform decision-making and contribute to organizational culture.

Meaad Al Blooshi

Social Specialist, Community Development Authority (CDA)

Ms. Meaad Al Blooshi is a Social Specialist in the Social Cohesion Department at CDA. In her TEDx talk, she explored the high cost of emotional bottling and the need to be emotionally agile.

Sohail Dahdal

Head of the Media Communication Department at the American University of Sharjah (AUS)

Dr. Sohail is an immersive media researcher and the Head of the Media Communication Department at the American University of Sharjah. Beyond academia, he is an entrepreneur, founder, and creative director of Fifth Wall Immersive Media Lab, an XR Media startup based in Sharjah. In his TEDx talk, he showcased how his work has been focusing on inspiring the younger generation to take proactive steps (climate change) to become engaged citizens through story-driven XR experiences.