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FACT SHEET: Learning Beyond Conference

Ithra – A learning hub

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has established itself as a powerhouse of knowledge, culture, and creativity in the MENA region. Through its diverse range of programs, exhibitions, seasons, open calls, courses, and conferences, Ithra continues to drive impact in the Kingdom’s creative and knowledge economy.

Learning Beyond – At the pinnacle

Ithra’s Learning Beyond conference is at the pinnacle of these efforts bringing together different sectors in teaching, children’s education, and content development under one creative umbrella. Learning Beyond provides its audience access to creative industry professionals who specialize in innovative, unconventional, and informal learning methods – because it’s not about what you learn, but how you learn it.

Through its different offerings - from interactive talks to intensive workshops to engaging panel discussions, to dynamic round table-like sessions with global experts, to immersive experiences activated across Ithra’s facilities, Learning Beyond demonstrates a range of innovative learning best practices to its attendees, with the goal of providing them with lifelong tools to forge stronger connections with their intended audiences, whether they are children, students, clients or customers.

During the Learning Beyond Conference, an expected 800-1000 attendees will be plunged into an unconventional learning ecosystem that encourages individuals to not only implement informal and experiential learning into their industry practices but also to engage with experts from different fields to network and connect for future collaborations.

Learning Beyond 2024:

In the second edition of the Learning Beyond Conference, attendees will explore creative and informal learning methods through the lens of storytelling which involves utilizing natural tendencies to maximize learning experiences.

Conference topics:

Lifelong learning
Learning tools: identifying creative tools that can be used in different environments to support learning
Learning strategies: introducing innovative techniques for learning and their different applications
Learning styles: exploring different individual and collective approaches to learning
Learning environments
Imagination room: expanding on the conventional idea of a classroom and identifying ways to turn it into a fun, productive, and creative learning space
Beyond books: encouraging learners to learn through different experiences and interactions that go beyond text
Social spaces: exploring the benefit of social spaces and their positive impact on the learning process

Conference offerings:

Workshops
Keynotes
Beyond talks
Panel discussions
Beyond sessions
Story with an Expert gatherings
Immersive experiences
Film screenings with Q/A
Book signings with Q/A

Featured Speakers:

HE Sheikha Hala AlKhalifa - Director of the Culture and Arts Directorate at the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities
Layal Idrees - Dreative Director and Co-founder of Dar Waraqa and Radish House
Ahmed Elghandour -hosts the most popular science show in the Middle East with over 500 videos counting more than 2.5 billion views
Gavin McCormack - Co-founder of Upschool.co and EducationInfluence.com
Abdullah Annan - Founder and CEO of Science Street
Kameel Hawa - Designer and Artist
Aidan Brooks - Community photographer and visual storyteller
Samya Ayish - Independent journalist, media trainer, and digital storyteller
Iman Al-Attas - Consultant, educational developer and writer
Latifa Al-Khalifa - Social entrepreneur, education advocate, and founding member of Clever Play
Layan Abdul Shakoor - Founder and Creative Director of Mauzoun