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Soneva Fushi to host Maldives’ first ever TEDx talk, reveals Sonu Shivdasani
POSTED 08 Mar 2022 . BY Megan Whitby
Credit: Aksham Abdul Gadhir @ishotmaldives

Credit: Julia Neeson
TEDxBaaAtoll will celebrate wellness, culture, art, discourse and the environment
– Sonu Shivdasani
The Maldives’ first-ever TEDx talk, themed around the Slow Life, is set to take place on March 19, 2022.

Hosted at Soneva Fushi on Kunfunadhoo – one of the largest islands in the Baa Atoll and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – TEDxBaaAtoll will host nine Maldivian and international speakers.

The event will feature local voices and TED Talks videos delving into the ways we can find a deeper purpose beyond the superficial.

Talks will focus on reconnecting with the earth to live in harmony with the natural environment, working hand-in-hand with communities to make the world a better place and nurturing our physical and mental wellbeing to be the very best we can be.

Co-founder and CEO of Soneva Resorts and event speaker, Sonu Shivdasani, said: “We’re proud to be hosting the Maldives' first TedX event on our shores at Soneva Fushi.

“TEDxBaaAtoll is about learning and inspiring each other, and will celebrate wellness, culture, art, discourse and the environment – those diverse elements that are all part of the Slow Life."

The event will bring together a dynamic lineup, ranging from community innovators to business leaders, each of whom will share their own unique stories and ideas on the TEDx platform.

The full line-up features:
• Akib Jahir, local entomologist.
• Bart Knols, managing director of science and conservation at Soneva.
• Bruce Bromley, chief financial officer and deputy CEO at Soneva.
• Carissa Nimah, guardian of the brand at Soneva.
• Hussain 'Sendi' Rasheed, a 30-year veteran of the Maldives’ diving industry.
• Iz Yala Shameem binth Ali Shameem, a 13-year-old climate youth activist from Kudafari island.
• Nila Patty, innovation and sustainability manager at Soneva
• Shaziya ‘Saazu’ Saeed, professional diver and surfer and former VP of both the Maldives Surfing Association and Diving Association of the Maldives.
• Sonu Shivdasani, CEO and co-founder of Soneva.

Follow this link to register for virtual attendance. The event will start at 6:30 PM (Maldives Time) on Saturday 19 March and last until 11:30 PM on Sunday 20 March.
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  Sonu Shivdasani awarded OBE in King’s 2023 New Year Honours List


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  Soneva to open third Maldives retreat by end of 2023


Sonu Shivdasani, co-founder of barefoot luxury hotel and wellness brand Soneva, has confirmed there will be a new Soneva property open by the end of 2023.
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Barefoot luxury hotel and wellness brand Soneva has concocted a new spa and wellness concept combining ancient healing wisdom with modern science.
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NEWS
Soneva Fushi to host Maldives’ first ever TEDx talk, reveals Sonu Shivdasani
POSTED 08 Mar 2022 . BY Megan Whitby
Credit: Aksham Abdul Gadhir @ishotmaldives
Credit: Julia Neeson
TEDxBaaAtoll will celebrate wellness, culture, art, discourse and the environment
– Sonu Shivdasani
The Maldives’ first-ever TEDx talk, themed around the Slow Life, is set to take place on March 19, 2022.

Hosted at Soneva Fushi on Kunfunadhoo – one of the largest islands in the Baa Atoll and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – TEDxBaaAtoll will host nine Maldivian and international speakers.

The event will feature local voices and TED Talks videos delving into the ways we can find a deeper purpose beyond the superficial.

Talks will focus on reconnecting with the earth to live in harmony with the natural environment, working hand-in-hand with communities to make the world a better place and nurturing our physical and mental wellbeing to be the very best we can be.

Co-founder and CEO of Soneva Resorts and event speaker, Sonu Shivdasani, said: “We’re proud to be hosting the Maldives' first TedX event on our shores at Soneva Fushi.

“TEDxBaaAtoll is about learning and inspiring each other, and will celebrate wellness, culture, art, discourse and the environment – those diverse elements that are all part of the Slow Life."

The event will bring together a dynamic lineup, ranging from community innovators to business leaders, each of whom will share their own unique stories and ideas on the TEDx platform.

The full line-up features:
• Akib Jahir, local entomologist.
• Bart Knols, managing director of science and conservation at Soneva.
• Bruce Bromley, chief financial officer and deputy CEO at Soneva.
• Carissa Nimah, guardian of the brand at Soneva.
• Hussain 'Sendi' Rasheed, a 30-year veteran of the Maldives’ diving industry.
• Iz Yala Shameem binth Ali Shameem, a 13-year-old climate youth activist from Kudafari island.
• Nila Patty, innovation and sustainability manager at Soneva
• Shaziya ‘Saazu’ Saeed, professional diver and surfer and former VP of both the Maldives Surfing Association and Diving Association of the Maldives.
• Sonu Shivdasani, CEO and co-founder of Soneva.

Follow this link to register for virtual attendance. The event will start at 6:30 PM (Maldives Time) on Saturday 19 March and last until 11:30 PM on Sunday 20 March.
RELATED STORIES
Sonu Shivdasani awarded OBE in King’s 2023 New Year Honours List


Hospitality and wellness industry veteran Sonu Shivdasani has been honoured as an officer of the order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to tourism, sustainability and charity by the King of England.
Soneva to open third Maldives retreat by end of 2023


Sonu Shivdasani, co-founder of barefoot luxury hotel and wellness brand Soneva, has confirmed there will be a new Soneva property open by the end of 2023.
Soneva’s new hospitality concept Soneva Secret launching January 2024


Soneva will open a new US$40 million (£32.1 million, €37.4 million) resort in the Maldives’ secluded Haa Dhaalu atoll on 10 January 2024.
Soneva's new spa and wellness brand blends ancient and modern healing techniques


Barefoot luxury hotel and wellness brand Soneva has concocted a new spa and wellness concept combining ancient healing wisdom with modern science.
MORE NEWS
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and private membership under one roof.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
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San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade- long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas attraction.
Great Barrier Reef attraction set for AU$180 million reinvention
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COMPANY PROFILES
Holovis

Holovis is a privately owned company established in 2004 by CEO Stuart Hetherington. [more...]
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
Clip 'n Climb

Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and investors more than 40 colourful and unique Cha [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


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©Cybertrek 2026

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