When the world around us becomes tough and complicated, imagination becomes the safest refuge. Negar Eskandar, the founder of one of the most influential art academies, speaks about the vital role of imagination. Negar Eskandarfar is a film producer, director, and owner of an educational center for art and culture. She studied Clinical Psychology and began her career as a journalist and writer in the 1970s. Over the years, she has produced numerous stage plays, documentaries, and films . This talk was given ...

Core Argument - Imagination is humanity's greatest currency, surpassing traditional forms of wealth like euros, dollars, gold, and silver [3] - Imagination and creativity define humanity and its potential future impact [4] - Combining imagination with action leads to progress and thriving societies [6][7] Zambian Context - Zambia faces challenges like power cuts, water scarcity, and limited educational resources [3] - These challenges have fostered a culture of innovation and resourcefulness, driving people to imagine and create solutions [4] - Examples include farmers using scrap materials for irrigation systems [5] Examples of Imagination in Action - A young girl in Ndola taught herself to code using a cracked smartphone, eventually teaching over 10,000 students and earning money for textbooks [7][8] - This story highlights the potential for imagination to drive positive change and create a better future [8] Call to Action - Individuals should imagine with clarity, value their ideas, and seek feedback [11] - Encourage others to imagine and take their imaginations into action to create a better future [12]

Storytelling & Family Connection - Storytelling is more than just an art; it unites people and fosters hope [14][15] - In a fast-paced world dominated by scrolling and skipping, genuine conversation is rare and valuable [12] - The act of storytelling can create intergenerational connections, a warm and almost extinct practice [13][14] - Voice is not just a tool for communication but a connector of emotions [8] - Storytelling can be a legacy, a valuable inheritance for future generations [11][15] Voiceover Industry & Communication - Voiceover is not just reading a script but bringing it to life, connecting the message with the listener's heart [3] - Indonesians prefer listening over reading, highlighting the power of audio communication [7] - The speaker's family uses storytelling as a means of therapy and expression, especially after their child's speech delay diagnosis [8][10] Personal Growth & Legacy - The speaker initially sought to understand their father's profession but fell in love with conveying meaning through voice [2][3] - The speaker realized their father's profession was a way of building connection, inspiring them to connect with their own children through voice [5]

Creativity & Innovation - Creativity is the true engine of the economy [3] - It's the very essence of invention and innovation [3] - Creativity is not just for artists or children, but essential for everyone [2] Economic Impact - Creativity drives invention and innovation, which are vital for economic growth [3] Perspective Shift - Challenges the notion that creativity is limited to artists or corporate mission statements [2] - Encourages acceptance of new ideas and suspension of disbelief to foster creativity [1]