Raj Kumar Gujar

Activist

I am Raj Kumar, born on 14th November 1992 in an underprivileged, geo-physically remote, socio-economically deprived and drought hit area. I come from an economically humble background, imbibed with the spirit to excel in life. He’s the first one of his entire lineage who is a graduate. Mr. Kumar did his bachelors in Business Administration from a well-reputed institute, i.e., (SZABIST Islamabad) on fully funded scholarship. I am a Global UGRAD spring 2013 Alumnus and has represented Pakistan at Juniata College Huntingdon PA. I firmly believes that people-people connections are the one of vital and long lasting ways to change the perceptions. After coming back from States I have served Pakistan-US Alumni Network Leadership as Youth-Group Director for a year. Besides that a pioneer member for US Ambassadors’ Youth Council and served the council as a Vice President for Community Serviced Projects. I am also an alumnus for GYPF-10 (Global Youth Peace Festival) Chandigarh, India. I have secured grants by U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassy Islamabad for $10,000 on community engagement projects. Moreover I have worked on issues that were very sensitive and also of great importance in the community. The projects that I have lead are “District Women Action Forum” and “DIYA-Promoting Peace Through Arts, Sports, Dialogue and Music”. For DIYA Arts for Peace: I along with my team succeeded to connect members of different ethnic and religious backgrounds i-e Communities from Muslim, Hindu, Christian, and Baha’i. to paint and share “Peace Messages” to the World. Project also includes interreligious DIYA Sports Gala for Peace aimed at teaching lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship to local children through sports diplomacy. I have also helped organized a dozens of International conferences in Islamabad (i.e. Women Entrepreneurship Conference 2k15, Global Entrepreneurship Week 2k15, Social Media Summit, Women Empowerment Conference, Music Mela, International Peace Conference and many more). I carry a vast experience of working in the fields of gender- based violence, peace, interfaith harmony, human rights as well as Advocacy campaigning. Kumar constantly strives to motivate and inspire young people through advocacy and educational programs. As a part time I also runs a school back in my hometown and also a strong believer of ESD and its techniques. Asides social and youth activism, I am a freelance trainer, a blogger and a music promoter. I have conducted sessions and trainings on different thematic areas/topics i.e., Education for Sustainable Development, Interfaith Harmony, Youth and Women for Peace and Development, Women Empowerment, and Entrepreneurship. I have worked with a Startup called “Women Through Film”, an initiative aiming to address various female related issues by connecting women, their stories, and their causes through film. I am also volunteering my time and expertise for Pakistan-US Alumni Network as a General-Secretary. Recently on May 4th 2017, I am awarded as Emerging Young Leaders by US Department of State and followed by my achievement I have also been awarded with Best Achievement Award by Youth Ministry, Government of Sindh, Pakistan. Last not the least, I am TEDx speaker from LUMS Lahore.

Women Empowerment

Promoting Peace Through Arts, Music, Sports and Dialogue. “Composite Heritage”, which means shared ownership of values, traditions, language, music, culture, folksongs, folktales, modes of agriculture, fine arts, dresses, lifestyles, poetry, literature, and antique architecture among people belonging to different religions, ethnicities, caste and sects living in an area. The concept of composite heritage helps in developing a sense of commonality and is a resource for making it possible to live together in an atmosphere of peace and harmony. The idea is to create common ground for cultural and social identities. This project builds a space for the exchange of ideas through workshops, group discussions, trainings, debates, joint voluntary activities and cultural exhibition.

Advocacy, Business management, Public speaker, Social entrepreneur