Zakho hosts first TEDx event celebrating success stories across multiple fields

ZAKHO — The first TEDx event at Zakho University was held on Saturday, at the Zakho Directorate of Culture and Arts Hall, featuring 12 speakers who shared their personal journeys and stories of success.

The event brought together a diverse range of participants, including writers, diplomats, youth from Zakho and Kirkuk, and notable personalities. The topics covered spanned politics, sports, journalism, and business.

Renowned Kurdish novelist Jan Dost expressed his joy at participating in the event, telling 964media, “I am very happy to be in Zakho today and to meet my friends. This is my first time attending a TEDx event. I hope we can all benefit from each other.” Dost added, “Zakho is one of the most beautiful and beloved cities in the Southern Kurdistan. It is always on our minds.”

In the business sector, Awaz Shawkat, a business consultant from Duhok Governorate, told 964media, “Before feeling happy, I feel proud to see such a beautiful initiative managed in Zakho. This demonstrates experience and collaboration with the youth, creating mutual benefits for everyone.”

The event also highlighted challenges in various fields. War journalist Honar Ahmed shared his experiences, focusing on the risks of his profession and emphasizing the importance of maintaining safety and engaging critically with environments and subjects.

He said, “War journalism is a new field for us. It started with the onset of the ISIS conflict and has since grown in Kurdish media. It is a tough, dangerous and risky job. Today, I shared my experience to encourage young people to continue adventures while staying aware of the challenges.”

Among sports figures, Zakho FC coach Talal Balushi emphasized the role of discipline and social integration, telling 964media, “While I am in the field of sports, we can all serve as positive role models. This generation is often isolated and withdrawn from society. Parents need to be aware of this issue and limit the use of devices like iPads and mobile phones, as these tools tire the brain and lead to unproductive distractions. If more emphasis is placed on education and sports, we will see more successful individuals.”