By Ahmad Raza, UN Youth Advocate

 

My name is Ahmad Raza, and I am a youth leader from Faisalabad, Pakistan, driven by a simple yet powerful belief: young people must have a voice in shaping the future we inherit.

Growing up in Faisalabad, I witnessed firsthand how poverty, lack of transparent institutions, and limited access to quality education create cycles of hopelessness for talented young people. This reality became my motivation. At age 21, I decided that rather than accepting these challenges, I would work to change them.

My journey began through the United Nations Association of Pakistan (UNAP), where I found a platform to represent youth perspectives on global issues. As a UN Volunteer Advocate, I discovered that volunteerism isn’t just about service—it’s about collective action toward justice and equity. This led me to engage with international networks including Youth Global Network and Global Impact Dubai, where I realized that young voices from underrepresented regions like Pakistan have unique wisdom to offer the world.

My most meaningful impact has come through grassroots work. In 2024, I launched the Community Welfare Initiative in Jhahgir Khurad, Faisalabad, directly serving underprivileged families. I organize awareness sessions on health, hygiene, and child education, ensuring that vulnerable children have access to information and support. This work taught me that sustainable change isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about consistent, authentic engagement with communities.
Climate change has become my second focus area. Through my Climate Action and Environmental Awareness Project, I engage youth in understanding how environmental degradation disproportionately affects the poor. I organize sessions on green practices, climate resilience, and environmental justice. What drives me is seeing young people transform from passive observers into active agents of change.

My appointment as Youth Ambassador at The Diplomatic Institute Islamabad expanded my understanding of how policy and diplomacy shape lives. I now facilitate policy discussions ensuring youth voices are not just heard but centered in decision-making processes.
Internationally, being selected as a Delegate to International Youth Conferences 13 and 14 connected me with youth leaders across the globe. These platforms showed me that despite our different contexts, young people everywhere share common aspirations: education, opportunity, peace, and a livable planet. I also recently joined the ESCAP-UNESCO South-West Asia Subregional Forum on SDG 4, contributing to regional discussions on quality education.

What motivates me daily is witnessing transformation. When I see a child who gains access to education, a community that embraces climate action, or a young person who steps into leadership—these moments remind me why this work matters. The awards I’ve received—Rising Star of Pakistan, Top 100 Influencers, Youth Volunteer of the Year 2025—are not personal achievements; they are recognition of collective effort and proof that youth-led change is possible.

My passion isn’t confined to words or platforms. It’s embodied in action, consistency, and unwavering commitment to building a future where every young person—especially those from marginalized communities—has genuine voice, opportunity, and power to shape their destiny. That’s why I do this work. That’s what drives me.