By Advika Choudhury & Aaron Jacob
If someone had told us a year ago that we’d one day be standing on stage hosting one of the best TEDx events in Dubai (maybe just according to us, but still counts), we might not have believed them. But that’s exactly what happened when TEDxGIISDUBAIYouth came to life — a dream built on late-night brainstorming sessions, endless rehearsals, and the shared belief that students could create something truly extraordinary.
It all began with one simple question. During the Global Students Summit in October 2024, visiting students asked us, “Does GIIS Dubai conduct a TEDx?” We looked at each other and realised… we didn’t, yet. That question lit a spark. What if we could bring a TEDxYouth event — something global, inspiring, and student-led — right here to GIIS Dubai?
After our exams, we nervously walked up to our teacher, Ms. Merlin, and pitched the idea. What started as a concept slowly turned into a concrete plan complete with proposal drafts, brainstorming sessions, and a pitch to our Senior Leadership Team. By March 2025, we had officially applied for a TEDxYouth license under my (Advika’s) name, and soon enough, we were holding that magical approval email in our hands.
The months that followed were a whirlwind of planning and teamwork. From over 60 applicants across Grades 9 to 12, we handpicked a 25-member core team. These were passionate students who would handle everything from logistics and design to communications and branding. Together, we chose our theme: “The Third Space: Thinking Beyond the Known.” It captured what we believed TEDx was all about: exploring the spaces between certainty and curiosity, where creativity truly lives.
When our social media pages went live in June, the excitement was electric. Within just three weeks, more than 65 speaker applications poured in from schools and universities all across the UAE. After a series of interviews, we selected ten incredible speakers, each bringing a unique story, idea, or perspective to our stage.
One of our favourite parts of this journey was launching the Speaker Exchange Programme with GIIS Abu Dhabi, the first of its kind within the GIIS Middle East network. This collaboration showed us how powerful youth-led initiatives could be when boundaries are replaced with bridges.
As September rolled in, every detail began to fall into place — from the stage setup and lighting to the red carpet and branded t-shirts. Our partnerships with StudioRepublik and Manzil Centre added so much heart and inclusivity to the event. Watching students of determination share their art and stories was one of the most moving moments of the entire experience.
On the morning of the event, walking into the transformed MPH felt surreal. The stage lights, the iconic red circle carpet, the red TedX stage prop — everything we had imagined was finally real. By 8 a.m., it wasn’t just a venue anymore; it was our Third Space, a space of ideas, courage, and connection.
When the talks began, we could feel the magic in the room. Each speaker owned their moment and whether it was about innovation, empathy, or resilience, the audience of a hundred guests sat spellbound.
After the final talk, as applause echoed through the hall, we exchanged a glance that said it all: We did it.
Months of hard work, learning, and teamwork had culminated in something bigger than both of us. Something that proved what students can achieve when given the space to dream and lead.
TEDxGIISDUBAIYouth 2025 wasn’t just an event. It was a milestone — a celebration of voices, ideas, and the power of thinking beyond the known.
And as we begin planning for the next edition, one thing’s certain: this is only the beginning of a legacy that will continue to inspire students across Dubai to create, collaborate, and change the world — one idea at a time.
Dubai Campus
