TEDxPIEAS 2017

The Story of International Law in Pakistan: Ahmer Bilal Soofi talked about the lack of awareness and implementation of international law in Pakistan. His narrative leads us from him making a career choice, to the development and progress of Research Society of International Law. He also talked about the importance of treaties and resolutions that we, as a nation, have to sign with other countries in order to function properly on a global scale.

Creating Characters, Changing Perceptions: In this impassioned talk, writer and fangirl Khaya Ahmed brings to attention the importance and power of writing, and the impact characters can have. She also shares some memes along the way. She discusses characters like Burka Avenger and Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel), and the social changes these characters unleashed. She also talks about what it means to write; how important writing is as a tool for change, and how it is a coping mechanism as well.

Reconceptualizing Water: Bakht Baryar talks about how we "conceptualize water as something that we will always have", a thought for which urbanization is largely to blame. Ease of access to water has resulted in the resource itself being taken for granted, and often, wasted. Conjuring scenarios of water related issues that the world, and specifically Pakistan, can be expected to face in the near future, he urges individuals to do something about it.

Skinning Knees for Silver Linings and Nine Reasons to love Myself: "Pain is memory", says Orooj e Zafar as she portrays it in her carefully chosen words and intricately performed poetry. The first poem she performs was untitled at the time of the talk, but she has since titled it "Skinning Knees for Silver Linings". A spoken word poet and medical student, she describes her experience being both, and her attempt at making the hard sciences work in sync with her poetic sensibilities to help create a better world. A world that reclaims the grey areas of human emotions and accepts them. Talking of humans as not just biological beings, but as entities that carry whole worlds within them, she highlights the changing definition of 'normal' in the modern world. A world which needs more love, care, and affection. She also advocates self-love; most powerfully in the second poem she performs, which is titled "Nine Reasons to Love Myself",

Democracy in the Muslim World: In his candid, no-holds-barred way, Dr. Moeed Pirzada brings to attention the fact that there are no proper democracies in the Muslim world, and speculates on why this is so.

At the end of invited talks, a musical performance was made by the band Resurrection. They performed originals, such as ‘Bebassi’ and also covered the iconic national favorite ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ which was originally sung by Vital Signs. They brought a unique energy to the event.