Qatar Museums hosts TEDx AlLuqtaED to enrich curriculum provision for children

Tribune News Network

Doha

Qatar Museums recently hosted the TEDx AlLuqtaED talk ‘Sharing the Vision’ at the National Museum of Qatar.

Organised by Richard Milton from the Swiss International School Qatar in partnership with Qatar Museums, the event brought together an inspiring line-up of speakers who each shared their unique experiences and ideas.

The event presented a diverse range of perspectives and ideas on enriching and optimising the curriculum provision for children, by exploring alternative educational approaches beyond the traditional classroom setting.

The first speaker, Dr Jelena Trkulja, senior advisor for Academic and Cultural Affairs at Qatar Museums, delved into the transformative power of the art world and informal education in modern societies, emphasising the role of museums as catalysts for positive social change, community nurturing, knowledge curation and educational excellence.

Building on similar themes about museums as powerhouses for education and positive social change, Essa Al Mannai, director of Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar, which is currently under development, emphasised the profound importance of play in nurturing the growth and development of children.

Under his leadership, the future museum will provide children with a unique space for learning and growth through inclusive, open-ended play, exploration and experimentation.

Kristina Cheffins-Polden, a devoted advocate for arts in education, shared her personal experiences with the Qatar Foundation initiative SHOWTIME, underscoring the benefits of performing arts in the education system, and George Tavola, an Engagement Manager at Reach Out to Asia (ROTA) Programme, Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, discussed the pursuit of meaning and happiness through volunteering, drawing on his extensive experience in education, training and international development.

Katherine Milton, an educator and theorist, advocated for personalised learning and its role in prioritising learners’ understanding and holistic well-being, with compassion at its core.

Claire Olivier, an experienced educator and co-founder of a charity for youth at risk, focused on embedding inclusion in education and transforming at-risk students into Global Social Leaders, providing invaluable guidance based on her expertise.

In the final talk, award-winning social entrepreneur Jonathan Harper explored how real-world projects can play a critical role in cultivating social and emotional intelligence, creativity and critical thinking skills, equipping young people with the necessary tools to thrive in the 21st century.

The event also featured a captivating performance of Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Nisha Christie, a student at Swiss International School, who holds a strong passion for performing and singing.

In the spirit of TED’s mission, ‘ideas worth spreading’, the TEDx programme helps communities, organisations and individuals produce TED-style events at the local level. TEDx events are planned and coordinated independently, on a community-by-community basis, under a free license from TED.

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