Zulqarnain Haider

Business adviser, Change Agent, Entrepreneur, Photographer, Project manager, Social entrepreneur

a community builder, social impact enthusiast, and someone who strongly believes in the power of storytelling to inspire change. Over the years, I’ve worked with several youth-led and social organizations, including Positive Pakistan, Volunteer Force Pakistan, and currently serving as the Founding Curator of the Global Shapers Okara Hub, an initiative of the World Economic Forum. My journey revolves around empowering youth, advocating for sustainable development, and creating spaces for meaningful conversations. I’m passionate about projects that bring people together for a greater cause, and I see TEDx as a platform that truly aligns with this vision of sparking ideas and driving impact.

- Empowering youth for social impact - Building communities that create change - Promoting civic innovation and grassroots leadership - Turning volunteering into skill-based leadership opportunities - Advocating for climate action and sustainable development - Creating platforms for unheard voices and local stories - Bridging the gap between technology and community development - Designing programs that drive real-world impact - Encouraging public discourse and critical thinking in youth - Working on projects that leave a lasting, positive impact on society

Big cities get the attention, but real, sustainable change often comes from smaller cities and towns. By empowering youth in underrepresented regions, we unlock potential that remains hidden due to a lack of resources, representation, and opportunities.

Civic Innovation, Community Building, Event Planning & Management, Policy Advocacy, Project Management, Public Speaking & Storytelling, Social Impact Projects, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Volunteer Management, Youth Empowerment

I come from Okara, an agriculturally enriched city known for its fertile lands but not so much for facilities or opportunities. Growing up in such an environment shaped my perspective early on. My father, a teacher, has always been my role model, his dedication to education and community uplift became my first lesson in leadership. My mother, with her religious knowledge and values, gave us a strong foundation to stay grounded. Life truly changed when I crossed paths with mentors like Umair Iftikhar, who shifted my mindset from conventional success to innovation, community-building, and creating impact. Namal University became my turning point, it wasn’t just a place of learning but a place where I found purpose, discovered my potential, and realized that people from small towns, with the right direction, can dream big and deliver bigger. Today, my journey is about carrying those roots and values forward, empowering communities, turning ideas into action, and proving that real change often grows from the most unexpected places.

- Turning complex ideas into actionable projects - Building teams and empowering volunteers - Organizing large-scale events and summits - Public speaking and storytelling - Writing research papers and response articles - Developing community-driven programs - Managing multi-tasked projects under pressure - Creating digital content and social media strategies - Connecting people and creating collaborations - Bridging gaps between technology and social impact