A walkthrough of Rise Above All 2023, an event that provides young, aspiring changemakers of tomorrow to interact and learn from visionary leaders of today.
Rise Above All, the nation’s most significant public speaking and learning event held its seventh edition on 25 August 2023. The event, titled, ‘Berger Presents Rise Above All 2023, Powered by Daraz, In Association with Prothom Alo, The Daily Star & Channel-I’ was held at KIB Convention Hall, drawing an impressive crowd of approximately 3,200 attendees.
This year’s Rise Above All featured 19 category leaders participating in 13 distinct speaking sessions and a panel discussion, all culminating in a vibrant live musical performance. The event was sponsored and partnered by 41 different brands, comprising 11 multinational and 30 local brands. Attendees came from different districts, predominantly comprised of students and young professionals aged between 18 and 35 years old.
Rise Above All is more than just a public speaking event; it’s a platform that fosters career development and skill enhancement for the youth of Bangladesh. Working hand in hand with the education sector, this year, Rise Above All partnered with 36 university clubs from 27 top-ranked universities in Bangladesh.
A distinctive feature of Rise Above All 2023 was the remarkable lineup of distinguished guest speakers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. The stage was graced by some of the finest minds in the nation, from Rubana Haque, Vice Chancellor of Asian University for Women, to Adil Hussain Noble, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at Robi Axiata Limited, and Shehzad Munim, MD and CEO of BAT Bangladesh.
What the youth aim to get most out of Rise Above All is the opportunity to engage and interact with these successful personalities, understand their journey, their struggles, and find the inspiration to overcome life’s difficulties. Rupali Chowdhury, MD of Berger Paints Bangladesh, took the stage to share her inspiring message of self-belief and determination. Drawing parallels between success and a well-balanced railroad, she emphasises the importance of nurturing both big dreams and the courage to overcome life’s challenges.
Rubana Haque, a prominent advocate for social progress, delivered a powerful message urging attendees to recognize and confront biases that hinder progress and unity. Her words emphasised the urgent need for a collective effort to eliminate biases that erode the foundations of our society.
During the event, a panel discussion called ‘Rise Above AI’ was conducted by Bdjobs where Fahim Mashroor, CEO of Bdjobs, corporate icon Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, and Sadia Haque, Founder and CEO of ShareTrip, discussed the multifaceted impacts of AI on employment prospects.
Grameenphone Academy also organised two exciting learning sessions, and Daraz BD shared essential insights on surviving in the corporate world and building a personal brand. These sessions equipped the youth with practical knowledge and skills vital for their professional journey.
Renowned musician Tahsan Khan took a creative approach to sharing his life story through melodious tunes; a captivating moment that left the audience spellbound. Tahsan Khan’s performance was a testament to the power of music to deliver a strong message to inspire and touch the hears of young people.
Guiding the entire event was Ghulam Sumdany Don, Chief Inspirational Officer of Don Sumdany Facilitation and Consultancy. His adept moderation ensured that discussions and interactions flowed seamlessly, making the event all the more impactful.
As Rise Above All 2023 concluded, it left a lasting imprint on the hearts and minds of the youth. With the promise of being an even more inspiring and transformative platform for the youth of the nation, driving positive change and disruption, Rise Above All is expected to come back with more speakers, a larger audience and exciting interactive sessions in the future.
