In this heartfelt and inspiring TEDxAlBateen talk, Maysa Al Nowais, Executive Director at Ma’an — the Authority of Social Contribution, shares how one lesson from her mother sparked a lifelong journey to redefine what social responsibility truly means.Through touching family stories and powerful examples from her work at Ma’an, Maysa reveals how compassion, when organized, can move an entire society forward. From a six-year-old’s act of kindness to the creation of life-changing projects like the Abu Dhabi Dialysis Center and the Journey of Generations program, her message is clear: real change begins at home — and grows through every hand that gives.Maysa’s talk shows how the UAE is building a future where generosity is not an event, but an ecosystem — one where government, business, and community unite to turn empathy into sustainable impact.Key ideas:- How family values shape lifelong social responsibility - Turning compassion into measurable community impact - Building bridges between government, private sector, and people - The power of small acts to create large-scale change - Why progress without compassion will always be incompleteRecorded live at TEDxAlBateen 2025 — themed “Threads of Us,” celebrating the connections that bind families, communities, and nations through empathy and purpose.#TEDxAlBateen #MaysaAlNowais #ThreadsOfUs #SocialResponsibility #AbuDhabi #Inspiration #Giving #Compassion Her Excellency Maysa AlNuwais is the Executive Director of Community Engagement & Volunteering at the Authority of Social Contribution - Ma’an, the Abu Dhabi Government entity operating under the Department of Community Development. The Authority was established to amplify the development and engagement of a connected, collaborative community within the UAE capital.With 24 years of leadership experience across multiple industries and a robust foundation in project management, AlNuwais navigates her role orchestrating projects and initiatives from inception to fruition, amplifying community engagement across Abu Dhabi.Beyond her role at the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, AlNuwais has demonstrated business prowess through several successful ventures. Her entrepreneurial spirit and expertise in various industries complement her community-focused endeavors, showcasing her versatility and commitment to impactful change. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx