TEDx for children kicks off in Riyadh

A “TEDx for children” kicked off yesterday at King Fahd Cultural Center under the sponsorship of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Charity Foundation.
Some 500 children participated in the event, which was originally designed to show the creative capacities of children and their parents.
Created in the spirit of “Ideas worth spreading,” the TEDx program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TEDx-like experiences at the local level.
Jihad Al-Hamid, head of the organizing committee, said the program was targeting the Saudi child, whose creativity is generally ignored by community members. The forum comes to underscore innovative and creative thinking of Saudi children, she said.
Al-Hamid expressed thanks and appreciation to Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his sincere support for the forum extended through his charity organization.
Abdullah Al-Munai, one of the parents joining the event together with his three sons, said they were happy to participate in the program.
Abdullah Al-Ushin, aged 11, said he was fond of reading stories, as they are a source of entertainment and imagination. He said he had a big dream to set up a central library for children who can build up their characters through reading books.
On her part, Shahad Al-Sudais, 10, said she is fond of fashion design and hopes to grow up to become a fashion designer, adding that she received encouragement from her parents in her endeavor. She said she would demonstrate the attendees of the TEDx program how eager she was to achieve her dream.
Omar Al-Qaruyti, 14, said reading and writing are important parts of his life and he would tell the TEDx audience his experience in writing.