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Languages: Fluency in writing, reading, and speaking: English, Arabi Positions Held: - Lecturer in media and communication at Örebro University since June 2010 - Assistant Researcher at the Media and Communication Department of Orebro University, Sweden (May-September 2009) - Senior Reporter for The Wall Street Journal, Washington DC, USA (March-August 2005) - Publisher & Editor-in-Chief of Yemen Times (June 1999-March 2005), Sanaa – Yemen - Secretary Editor for Yemen Times (March 1999 – June 1999), Sanaa – Yemen - Assistant Editor and IT Dep. manager for Yemen Times (August 98, March 99), Sanaa - Yemen - I also write occasionally for other newspapers such as the Dubai-based Gulf News Education: • Earned PhD degree in Media and Communication with an emphasis on Internet censorship and circumvention. • Master Degree in Global Journalism from Örebro University, Sweden. • Bachelor Degree in the field of Computer Engineering from the Middle East University, Ankara, Turkey (1993-1998) Practical skills and experience includes: - Management, leadership roles in the media and civil society, experience in information communication technology, software development –especially in the online domain-, organizing international events Major activities attended abroad: • Beirut, Lebanon (October 1998): Workshop on Information Technology for News Media by Jemstone • Amman, Jordan (February 2000): Information Training for Seminar Coverage organized by CFD • Oxford, UK (February 2000): Seminar on the Freedom of the Press by the British Council • The Hague, Netherlands (March 2000): Press Delegation for the 2nd World Water Forum • Ottawa & Montreal, Canada (March 2000): Workshop by CIDA on Information in Yemen • Washington, DC, USA (April 2000): World Bank Journalist Training Workshop • Dubai, UAE (Jan 2002): Seminar on Press Freedom in Developing Countries by Dubai Press Club • Berlin, Germany (January 2002): Information visit and meeting German parliamentarians • Salzburg, Austria (March 2002): Seminar on organized by the renowned Salzburg Seminar. • Kuwait City, Kuwait (October 2002): Guest visitor to the Ministry of Information. • Athens, Greece (March ‘03): Participated in conference about EU monetary policies in ME & N Africa • Brussels, Belgium (July 2003): Seminar on EU Trade Policies (preparing Cancun) • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (October 2003): Participated in Tourism Exchange 2003 & OIC Expo. • Amman, Jordan (December 2003): Participated in a workshop on media and law. • Genova, Italy (January 2004): Representative of Yemen's delegation at the International conference "Children of the Mediterranean". • Seoul, S. Korea (January 2004): Represented Yemen in the "Good Governance for a World in Crisis" Summit held during January 25-29 2004. • Brussels, Belgium (April 2004): Participated in the European Union’s Visitors Program as a guest of the European Commission. • Istanbul, Turkey (May 2004): Participated in the 57th World Newspapers Congress and 11th Editors Forum arranged by the World Association of Newspapers. • Tokyo, Japan (June 2004): Was invited by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and represented Yemen’s independent media in meetings and roundtable discussions. • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (August 2004): Participated in the Malaysia International Visitors Program on behalf of Yemen and participated in roundtable discussions and meetings with Media people to explore potential cooperation. • Beirut, Lebanon (September 2004): Participated on behalf of Yemen in the ‘Role of the Civil Society in Reform in the Arab World’ seminar held by the UNDP and Lebanese Transparency Association. • Abu Dhabi, UAE (September 2004): Participated through teleconferencing in a workshop dedicated to reforms in the media in the Middle East and North Africa region. • New York City, USA (September 2004): Participated on behalf of Arab civil society in the preparatory meeting on “Forum of the Future” organized by the US department of State and the UN. • Toulouse, France (November 2004): Covered the official handover of new airbus A330 to Yemenia. • Rabat, Morocco (December 2004): Participated in the Civil Society Forum for the Future meeting • Washington DC (December 2004): Attended the 4th World Summit on Global Peace and Good Governance. • Washington DC (March 2005): Participated in an international press fellowship in association with the Wall Street Journal. • Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA (June 2005): Participated in a Poynter Institute workshop on print journalism and media development • New York City, USA (June 2005): Participated in Headquarters meet

Walé Oyéjidé is an American designer and lawyer of Nigerian descent. His work threads the needle between the cultural and the contemporary, and seeks to reflect the authentic experiences of persons that are commonly overlooked in commercial media. At the core of his work is the notion that elegance is not owned by any particular culture, or by any corner of the world. With his clothing label Ikiré Jones, he uses design as a vehicle for social commentary by marrying African-inspired prints with European tailoring and Renaissance era art.

Born in Nairobi, Wanuri is part of the new generation of African filmmakers. Her films have received international acclaim and have screened in over 100 film festivals around the world. To date, Wanuri has written and directed six films and is working on her second feature length film. She currently lives with her partner and two children in Nairobi.

Will Potter is an award-winning author, TED Senior Fellow, and internationally-recognized civil liberties advocate. His work challenging government repression, and the labeling of protest as "terrorism," has appeared in the world's top media outlets, including the Washington Post, National Geographic, and Rolling Stone. Pulitzer Prize winner Glenn Greenwald described him as "the most knowledgeable journalist in the country on these issues." His reporting has overturned criminal prosecutions, and his book, Green Is The New Red, was described in Counter-Terrorism Unit surveillance documents as "compelling and well-written." Will has been invited to testify before the U.S. Congress about his reporting, as the only witness opposing the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, and he has spoken about his investigations of “ag-gag” laws before the Australian Parliament. After being awarded the prestigious Knight Wallace Fellowship, Will was appointed the Marsh Professor of Journalism at the University of Michigan, where he teaches courses on investigative journalism, social movements, and whistleblowing.

William works with Moving Windmills to mentor young problem-solvers in Malawi. William's most recent designs include electric motorcycles and maize mills all using recycled materials, appropriate technology, and human-centered design. William is currently working to bring the Moving Windmills Innovation Center to life in Kasungu, a space where young people will find the tools and mentorship to co-create simple solutions to everyday agricultural challenges. When William Kamkwamba was 14, Malawi suffered a severe famine. His family could no longer pay his school fees, and he was forced to drop out of high school. While staying home, William remained curious and inventive and worked with a local librarian to stay engaged with his studies, especially science. Working from just one photo in a U.S. junior high school textbook book called “Using Energy,” he reasoned out how to build an electricity-producing windmill from spare parts and scrap, despite having no instructions. William’s inspiring story is told in his New York Times bestselling memoir The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, co-authored with Bryan Mealer, and in the Netflix film adaptation, directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, which was awarded the Alfred P. Sloan Prize at the Sundance Film festival. Since its debut, William’s book has been published in two additional editions, a young readers version, and a children’s book. The autobiography has sold more than 1 million copies and been translated in nearly twenty languages worldwide. William has been featured on The Wall Street Journal, Nyasa Times, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer. After graduating from Dartmouth College in Environmental Studies, William began work as a Global Fellow for the design firm IDEO.org. William is an entrepreneur, TED Fellow, and has worked to develop appropriate technologies curriculums focused on bridging the gap between “knowing” and “doing” for young people in Malawi and across the world. William splits his time between the U.S. and Malawi and is currently working full-time with the Moving Windmills Project to bring the Moving Windmills Innovation Center to life in Kasungu, Malawi.

Social Entrepreneur who founded multi-awarded social enterprise Rags2riches that won as the Business in Development (BiD) Challenge Global Winner in Netherlands besting 8,000 entries from all over the world. Recognized by Esquire Philippines as One of the Country's Best and the Brightest in 2011. Rockefeller Bellagio Resident Fellow, Pioneer Cordes Fellow of Opportunity Collaboration, Learning Initiative Network (LIN) Fellow of International Center for Non-Violent Conflict. Awarded Outstanding Alumnus of Asia's Oldest Existing University of Santo Tomas College of Commerce for Community Development. Given various Keynote Speeches, Seminars and Workshops internationally. Winner of various Toastmasters Public Speaking Competitions. Founded and Mentored various social enterprises and organizations including Heroic Leadership Philippines based on the NYC-bestselling book with the same title, Solarsolutions (Renewable Energy), Kawil Tours (Eco-Tourism), Fennel (Design Social Agency) and Royal Rumble (Community-based Social Enterprise focusing on rug business). Currently the Chief Strategist of Xavier & Associates delivering transformative solutions to various organizations.

I’m an award-winning technologist who lives to solve hard problems, push the limits of modern technology and redefine state of the art.

TED Senior Fellow Yana Buhrer Tavanier is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Fine Acts, a global nonprofit creative studio for social impact. Yana is a creative activist and a social entrepreneur, with a background in investigative journalism. In her work, she explores human rights innovation and looks into the intersections of activism and art, tech, science, and their potential to instigate change. She is the author of the concept of Playtivism, celebrating the value of experimentation and multidisciplinary creative play in activism. Yana is also Co-founder and Board Member of TimeHeroes.org, the largest volunteer platform in Bulgaria. Her educational background includes BA in Communication and MA in Political Science from Sofia University; and Executive Education at Harvard (Kennedy School of Government), Oxford (Saïd Business School), NTU-Singapore, and Yale Universities. Yana is a 2018 TED Resident, 2019/2020 Fulbright Scholar, WEF Young Global Leader, Allianz Foundation Fellow, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and was named one of 50 people who will change the world in WIRED’s Smart List 2012.

Learning Scientist working in a policy think tank in the field of Human Security. Interested in nuclear security education and the role of language and culture in shaping our knowledge and perceptions of the world.

Yasin Kakande is the author of "Slave States: The Practice of Kafala in the Gulf Arab Region and "The Ambitious Struggle: An African Journalist's Journey of Hope and Identity in a Land of Migrants."

Yamini is currently Director of the Accountability Initiative. Set up in 2008, the Accountability Initiative aims to promote research, innovations and tools to strengthen accountability and citizen engagement in India’s governance processes. Prior to setting up the initiative, Yamini worked with international development organizations on issues related to improving accountability in basic service delivery. She has worked with the World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Program and Rural Development unit in New Delhi on action research aimed at strengthening mechanisms for citizen engagement in local government. She was a member of the decentralization team at the World Bank that provided policy support to strengthen local governance in India. Yamini has also worked on issues related to decentralization and service delivery at the Ford Foundation with its Governance and Civil Society program. Contact Information India TEDIndia_

Yatin is a social innovator, and entrepreneurial project manager, with a focus on technology and social media for positive change in organizations and society. Originally from India, Yatin's experience ranges from founding two social enterprises in India, consulting with technology firms like Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Dell and Nokia to develop innovative technology products for emerging markets, and starting and managing global projects with non-profit organizations like Ashoka in USA, Europe and India. Yatin loves working on the cross-section of technology, design, business and social change and follows an entrepreneurial approach to problems. Some of his recent projects include developing a platform to connect high skilled-talent in Scandinavia, building a crowd-sourced global map of alternative education schools, and Art Pitara, an initiative to develop creative potential in underserved children in developing countries. At TED, he's looking forward to collaborate with other TEDsters on new projects globally. Yatin has been educated as an IT engineer, trained in user-experience research and learning about leadership and sustainability. He has been awarded as a TED Fellow, StartingBloc Fellow, Atlas Corps Fellow, and Swedish Institute Future Global Leader.

Zubaida Bai is President and CEO of Grameen Foundation, headquartered in Washington, DC. She leads Grameen Foundation in its mission to end poverty and hunger by building ecosystems that support women in leveraging their own capacity to contribute to the prosperity of their families and communities. Bai is a social entrepreneur and women's health advocate with more than 18 years in the social impact space. Building on her expertise as a mechanical engineer, product designer, and empathetic communicator, Bai put her passion for bettering the lives of women to work when founding her company, ayzh, (pronounced eyes) in 2009. This women's reproductive health product and services business serving emerging and frontier markets has improved the lives of over 1 million women and evolved into a global enterprise. After leading the organization for 12 years she now serves on its board. Prior to joining Grameen Foundation, Bai was the managing director of CARE Social Ventures where she used her strategic expertise, global perspective, and hands-on Operational and P&L experience to convert locally created philanthropic programs into financially sustainable global social enterprises. She helped organizations assess their feasibility, providing business support such as CEO and Board recruiting, strategic planning, and future business strategy. Bai has served on boards of several high impact social businesses in countries like Bangladesh, Zambia and India. She also stays close to her engineering roots by serving on the Board of Advisors of medtech startups such as SISU Global Health. She is a Visiting Social Innovator with Harvard University’s Social Innovative Change Initiative (SICI) and a member of the Governing Body of SEMA Reproductive Health and the Impact Advisory Council of TOMS Shoes. Some of Bai’s recognitions of note are Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, a Maternal Health Champion by Ashoka, and a Sustainable Development Goals Pioneer (United Nations Global Compact). She has spoken at multiple global forums including the United Nations and TED. Bai holds a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA. She was also conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by Claremont Graduate University in 2018 for her ability to work at the intersection of various sectors seamlessly, and to energetically bring her unique insights and fresh perspective to the table.