November 1, 2022
The Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies at the University of Rhode Island (URI) congratulates Mr. Raju Sarkar for winning the Nonviolence Trainer’s Award for November 2022. Sarkar is the Co-founder of the Himalayan Peace Study Center in Banepa, Nepal. His organization teaches nonviolence and peace to diverse people for personal, professional, and leadership development.
Born and raised in Nepal, Sarkar is an untiring humanitarian and social activist. His current projects include Nonviolence and Conflict Reconciliation training, Transformative Leadership training, and Human Rights consultation. He has been associating with the Rotary Club of Kavre Banep as strategic planning coordinator, Guiding the Lions Clubs International District 325 ‘G’ Nepal, chairing Vidhya Sagar Secondary School, advising special needs school children, and the list goes on.
In the past, Sarkar has served in many international and national capacities. For instance, he served as a Human Rights Officer of the United Nations mission in Liberia. He worked to strengthen civil societies’ capacity, law enforcement agencies, youth, journalists, and community organizations. The program’s main goal was to protect human rights, safeguard women from violence, end ritualistic killings, and create a culture of peace.
Sarkar also served as the National Director of Amnesty International (AI) in Nepal and chaired the National Executive Committee of AI Nepal in 2002. As per the focus of AI, Sarkar worked for human rights so that everyone in the nation could enjoy the human rights enshrined in the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
During his tenure as the General Secretary of the National Executive Committee for Human Development and Peace Campaign, Nepal, Sarkar led a solidarity march for World Peace at the Mt. Annapurna base camp, Nepal, in 2006. The purpose was to bring awareness about the issue and pressure the conflicting political parties to sign the Peace Agreement for conflict resolution and reconciliation.
As the President of the Lions Club of Kavre, Banepa, he enhanced community-based social services. He led a wonderful group of kind and compassionate people who rolled up their sleeves to implement their kindness. The services included helping people with destitute school children, hunger, environmental issues, and senior citizens at nursing homes. He also facilitated leadership development training for the Club members.
Mr. Raju Sarkar holds the highest Level 3 certification in Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation from the URI Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies. He completed Level 2 Advanced Leadership Training in Kingian Nonviolence in 2018 and Level 1 Training of Trainers in Kingian Nonviolence and Conflict Reconciliation in 2017. He received his master’s degree in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid from Kalu Institute of Humanitarian Aid Studies, Almeria, Spain, and a bachelor’s degree in International Humanitarian Law from the Nalsar University of Law, Hyderabad, India.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once asked, “What are you doing for others?” As a nonviolence trainer and practitioner, Sarkar has been doing admirable services for society. His selfless services earned recognition and appreciation from various organizations with multiple prestigious awards, such as the Outstanding Youth Motivator for Positive Change award in 2022, Honor for Outstanding Activism in Promoting Humanitarian Values and Norms in 2018, Best Leo District President of Lions International District 325 Nepal in 1988, etc. Sarkar’s commitment and efforts for education, peace, and a joyful society remain strong.
He continues to inspire many students and youth in Nepal. He is courageous, wise, and calm. Again, we sincerely congratulate Mr. Raju Sarkar for winning this Nonviolence Trainer’s Award. To learn more and support his projects, you may visit his Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/raju.sarkar.940