DUBAI :“Words are weapons—they can hurt or heal,” said Ramona J. Smith, former Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking, as she inspired a packed hall at the Toastmasters District Annual Conference (DTAC 2025) in Dubai.Speaking to aspiring leaders and communicators, Smith emphasized the power of intentional, empathetic speech. “Speaking is not about you; it’s about your audience,” she said, urging speakers to understand and serve their listeners.Hosted by Toastmasters District 127, DTAC 2025 featured global voices including leadership expert Dr. Loretta Sanders, fitness influencer Captain Sam, and veteran Toastmaster DTM Balaji Nagabhushan.Themed “One District, One Family,” the two-day event concluded with speech contests. Sven D’Souza won the International Speech title, while Raham Sithara, Nafisath T. Aslam, and Vajaya RatinamRamah topped the Humorous, Evaluation, and Table Topics categories, respectively. Winners in regional languages were also honored.DTM Shanil Palliyil, Chairman of DTAC 2025, called it a “world-class celebration of leadership and communication.” With over 2,800 members, Toastmasters District 127 continues to empower voices across the UAE.
