QF and TED launch TEDinArabic – a global platform for showcasing ideas in the Arabic language

Qatar Foundation and TED have today launched TEDinArabic – a two-year initiative that will provide a platform for thinkers, researchers, artists, and change-makers around the world to share ideas with a global audience, in the Arabic language.

The partnership has created TED’s first initiative to focus on sharing solutions, inventions, and stories in Arabic, with its aim being to place ideas that can change perceptions, benefit societies, and inspire others into the international spotlight.

The creation of TEDinArabic reflects Qatar Foundation’s (QF) commitment to preserving and celebrating the richness of the Arabic language and promoting its enduring relevance to the world, and to providing platforms for people to share their knowledge, perspectives, and ideas. TED is a non-profit organization devoted to ‘Ideas Worth Spreading’, and the partnership with QF is built on a collective recognition that everyone can make a difference to the world through the power of ideas.

Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, said: "Language is more than just a means of communication; it influences the way we think and how we frame our perceptions on a subconscious level.

“With TEDinArabic, I hope we can continue the process of amplifying ideas from our region to a global audience in a language that is synonymous with innovation and new thinking.

“We are proud to be partnering with TED, with whom we share the belief that everyone's mind and voice can make a difference, as together we aim to build a new culture of idea-generation that stretches across the Arab world and beyond."

Chris Anderson, Head of TED, said: "We are thrilled to partner with Qatar Foundation to bring ideas from Arabic-speaking regions to the world.

"We at TED have always valued the power of delivering talks in one's native language, and the nuance and richness that comes with doing so — the TEDinArabic initiative is an important step in that journey. As we bring this program to life, together with Qatar Foundation, we are grateful for the support of an organization that shares our passion and dedication to education and ideas."

TEDinArabic will spread the ideas of Arabic speakers throughout the world to new and diverse audiences, magnifying their reach and impact. High-quality content produced in Arabic will be amplified by the initiative, which will include an idea search stretching across the Middle East with selected ideas being celebrated at events across the region in 2021.

The idea search will see 16 Arabic speakers being selected to give TED Talks at a flagship event in Doha in 2022, which will mark the culmination of the partnership and bring the TED conference experience to the heart of the Middle East, showcasing the boldest and most inspiring ideas to emerge from the Arabic-speaking world.

Through its partnership with QF, TED will also build a custom digital destination to serve as a vault for TEDinArabic’s content library. This library will house content focusing on topics of the greatest relevance to the Arabic-speaking world, including blog articles, TED-Ed video lessons, and custom video content.

The impact of TEDinArabic will endure after the partnership between QF and TED concludes in 2022, with its website and content remaining live and accessible in order to continue sparking the imagination of Arabic speakers everywhere and empowering them to keep sharing their ideas.

To find out more, visit the TEDinArabic website