TALK 01

Who’s Problem Is It Anyway?

Plce: The Jam Jar
Time: Sunday 31st Jan. at 7 – 9pm
Panel Speakers:
Kelley Beaverford, Founder/Director Architects without Borders Canada (AWB)
Leland M. Hill, Assistant Professor at VCUQ, Doha
James Piecowye, Associate Professor at Zayed University Dubai, TEDx Dubai
Giorgio Ungania, Corporate Training-Marketing Manager SAE Dubai, TEDx Dubai
Robert Ferry, Architect, Co-Founder Land Art Generator Initiative, Dubai
Elizabeth Monoian, Assistant Professor at Amercian University of Dubai, Co-Founder Land Art Generator Initiative, Dubai

technology has succeeded in the past years to become a social catalyst where ideas brew and from which digital, social, physical, scientific projects have stemmed. Design, taking the form of architecture and art, has been lagging behind in its role as a societal facilitator and as a problem solving tool. Coming from different backgrounds, and using different tools, the panelists will be invited to share and debate how architecture, technology, art and science can be carried over from the world of intentions and expertise into the world of application and community engagement. Drawing on the panelists’ global experience, the discussion will hone in on the UAE and the role of MENAlabs 1 and 3 in tapping into the local community.

Moderator: Joumana Al Jabri, Co-Founder Febrik (NGO), Beirut
Joumana’s work revolves around social maturity. With her background in architecture (BArch, RISD) and business (MBA, EuroMBA), she has worked with the private sector, the government and non-governmental organizations on the social use of space. She is co-founder of Febrik, a non for profit art and design organization, concerned with the dynamics of public spaces in relation to social and urban change. The Febrik team, active since 2003, has developed and carried out workshops and design projects in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and Jordan, as well as with schools in East London, where the creative process is used as a medium to enhance community participation and action within the immediate social and physical environment. Joumana is committed to the Gulf region and the Middle East at large, exposing the region’s creative output and development through contributions to international publications such as Abitare magazine, The Skira Yearbook of World Achitecture, and most recently as the regional adviser on Saudi Arabia for Al Manakh 2.