TEDx in Gaza: Palestinians bring personal stories to the world stage #PalestineState

[Jefferson23]

November 6, 2015

We wanted to do something for us, and by us, and purely Palestinian, the TEDx Shujaiya organisers said



GAZA CITY, Occupied Palestinian Territories - Though moments of excitement in Gaza can be rare, local youth have been waiting for several months for one event to take place: TEDx Shujaiya.

On 29 October, Palestinians gathered at a Gaza hotel for a TEDx event - that is, an independently organised conference of TED talks - comprised of 12 speakers, presented in English and Arabic. They spoke to an audience of over 100 people about struggle, determination and success in the Gaza Strip.

The event was independently organised by Gaza-based volunteers and drew passionate reactions from participants and viewers.

“The idea comes from a shared belief that the team should have a high podium from which to speak to the world, to shed light on the ideas of creative and distinguished people in the besieged Gaza Strip," said 24-year-old Heba Madi, the lead organiser of the event.

http://www.middleeasteye.net/in-depth/features/palestinians-bring-compelling-personal-stories-world-stage-2114828564

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

1. Of the 32,000 university students who graduate annually from Palestinian universities,

56 percent are unwillingly unemployed, due to Israel’s economic blockade on Gaza.

Unemployment among male graduates is the highest, standing at 75 percent, according to the Palestinian Statistics Bureau. For these youth who face a challenging future, the narratives told at the TEDx event about tenacity, grit and optimism were a valuable addition to their tool belt.

If Israel hasn't killed the Palestinian spirit yet, then they never will.

Israel's future on the other hand looks more and more tenuous.

Palestinians do with scraps and survive. Israel wants more and more US military $$$ in order to survive.

Who will lose out in the end?