1. Let’s start with the story of your early life and education.

Growing up, I found my parents to be always very busy. My parents opted to send me to a boarding school in the city. I spent most of my childhood in a hostel with my schoolmates, and I had minimal opportunity to engage with others outside of my little circle. It wasn’t easy for me to grow up in a small bubble. I was subjected to severe bullying and harsh punishment, which harmed my childhood, especially my mental health. When I was in school, I was a decent student. However, things that I had to deal with as a child had a detrimental impact on me.  Later, I was accepted to a Dhaka-based private university to study Economics. After a few semesters, I realized I needed a major life shift, so I transferred my credits to another university. I relocated to Malaysia to pursue my Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Universiti Putra Malaysia. In 2019, I became one of the first international students to be awarded with the prestigious Putra Icon Award for my all-rounded performance. 

2. Tell us about Awareness 360 and its activities or projects.

In 2014, I co-founded Awareness 360 with my friend Shomy Hasan Chowdhury. I have always wanted to start a platform for youths. Due to the hurdles I faced in my school life, I realized I lacked good communication and other essential skills when I started university. So, while at university, I began to participate in many extracurricular activities and learned more about myself. When I gained some experience, I started to volunteer for community service. I understood how much joy one may derive from helping others. So, it became second nature to me to arrange various community service projects. We decided to establish a platform for everyone as a result of this motivation.

Awareness 360 is a youth-led global organization that empowers young people in 23 countries to participate in community service initiatives that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over 150,000 people have directly benefited from our efforts pre-pandemic. We run youth development programs to provide young people with the skills, tools, strategy, knowledge, resources, and mentorship they need to establish and implement a community problem-solving action plan. In accordance with the UN 2030 agenda, we assist members in identifying a societal issue and its root causes. We give guidance from project planning to project implementation, ensuring a long-term solution to the identified issues. In addition, we assist members in determining their impact through an effective monitoring and assessment system. We continue to build a global network to develop intercultural understanding and friendship and give a platform for young people from all over the world to voice their perspectives on common issues. We also serve as a link between young people and policymakers.

3. How did you cope with the challenges when you started Awareness 360?

Scaling up and making this movement sustainable was difficult in the beginning. I did not have adequate support from my family, who believed that volunteer work was not advantageous to one’s career. We were having financial difficulties, so I had to take on multiple jobs to fulfill our projects. Maintaining a good CGPA in my class was also difficult for me while working on all the projects. At first, time management was a significant concern. But we remained determined, continuing to work on our initiatives and believing in our cause. Finally, we demonstrated that you could achieve everything you set your mind to if you believe in yourself.

4. Share some of the notable projects and why these are special?

Every project we work on and the influence we have is a source of joy for us. I’ll never forget two of the projects in particular. Ten grade 7 drop-out children from Grasslands Primary School in Zimbabwe were ecstatic and encouraged to go to school through “Project Back to School” because our Awareness 360 Zimbabwe team made sure their school fees were paid for the entire year! This was our small contribution to the UN’s SDG 4: Quality Education. We think that everyone has the right to high-quality education and that financial constraints should never be an impediment. Another notable project was conducted at a Bangladeshi brothel named “Project MBBS: Make Brothels in Bangladesh Safe.” Awareness 360’s Project MBBS is a health awareness campaign. Sex workers, madams, pimps, and their families make up this society, leading a highly unsanitary lifestyle. Project MBBS educated them on STDs, the effects of steroids, hygiene, hand washing, safe sex, nutrition, menstrual hygiene, cleanliness, and food safety, among other topics. This made a significant impact.

5. What helps Awareness 360 to reach out globally?

Our affiliation with international organizations allows us to reach out to people all around the world. Aside from increased awareness through global recognition, current members’ word of mouth plays a significant role. Using the power of technology, Awareness 360 has brought together individuals from all over the world. We were able to reach out to various communities across continents through digital and social media.

6. Any institution or individual you like to mention who supported you the most in this journey?

Many international organizations have helped us from the start in various capacities. Global Changemakers, a Swiss NGO, has been of massive help. In various capacities, they provided us funding, mentorship and partnership opportunities. Besides, when I was juggling many things at once in my student life, my university professor, Assoc. Prof Amer Hamzah Jantan, was exceptionally helpful. He is my go-to person whenever I need advice and support. Isam Salih, a mentor, and friend, also supported us incredibly. We would not have gotten to this point without their paramount support and love. I owe them a debt of gratitude.

7. How is the project financed, and how do you ensure that the donation is used for the right cause?  

Our members raise money for campaigns and projects by participating in community-based fundraising events. Raising awareness about the topic can be accomplished through fundraising as well. In addition, we use a variety of online fundraising platforms and tools. For our work, we also receive international grants. Our members submit a project proposal before each project, and we make sure that the donation is going to the proper place by conducting pre and post-project surveys and using a detailed reporting system.

 

8. Tell us about the volunteers and membership benefits and how one can be a part of Awareness 360?

Members have access to a resource bank with non-monetary resources. This helps them to get equipped with the skills and support. In addition, the Global Leadership Conference by Awareness 360 will be held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, next year. Members will receive discounts at the conference. At the end of their cohort, the best member will be awarded a paid trip to Dubai. Our social media pages feature them frequently. Members receive certificates and letters of recommendation as needed. There are also several ad hoc opportunities, such as conference access, award nominations, speaking opportunities, funding, serving on the Global Leadership Conference taskforce, and so on. However, most members consider being part of the global network an incomparable incentive.

9. Share your involvement with South African-based organization Civicus.

I have worked for a South Africa-based organization – CIVICUS, as their Youth Development Consultant. I co-designed the “Youth Action Lab” – an accelerator for grassroots activists from the Global South. The Lab is an innovative, safe, active, inclusive, collective, representative, and connected space, online and physical, for grassroots activists, thoughtfully considering diverse contexts and ecosystems to resource them better to flourish within their communities. I had the opportunity to work with a brilliant team from different continents, myself representing Asia, exchanging insights. I also had an incredible experience in South Africa. Being an activist myself, walking around the streets of Soweto- an epicenter of activism, paying a visit to Nelson Mandela’s home, and exploring historical sites & cultural traditions with locals, are experiences I found to be extraordinary and truly life-changing.

10. You’ve been named in the Forbes 30 under 30 list as well as received the prestigious Diana Award very recently. How was the feeling when you came to know about it?

Being named as a Forbes 30 Under 30 Lister still feels surreal. The joy got doubled when I found out I have been spotlighted as the Featured Honoree for Social Impact. Receiving The Diana Award was another event of extreme pride because I’ve been able to represent my country on a greater scale. Though we don’t work for such recognitions, every time we are globally recognized, it provides us greater visibility to our work and our cause. It allows us to raise more awareness about the topics we work on. Our members are inspired to put in long hours at work. When I first learned of this tremendous honor, I was ecstatic. It inspired me to have a more significant practical impact on society.

11. You recently got appointed as the Advisor of the Target Gender Equality (TGE) Programme at the United Nations Global Compact. How has your professional experience been so far?

It truly is a rewarding experience to work at the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest business sustainability initiative. I am excited to have taken on this new role, contributing to the best of my capability and gaining new skills and a better understanding of the UN system. My role as the Advisor of the TGE Programme mainly entails looking after its planning, execution and outreach. Most recently I have been involved in organizing high-level events for Uniting Business Live, happening alongside the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

12. What is something new you are planning for?

I have been selected for the inaugural cohort of the USA Pavilion @EXPO 2020 Fellows Program, powered by PepsiCo and its philanthropic arm, The PepsiCo Foundation. I am thrilled to join this dynamic community, hone my leadership skills, and represent Bangladesh in Dubai Expo which is set to be one of the world’s biggest events, and beyond.

At the same time, we will be organizing the Global Leadership Conference next year under Awareness 360; that will keep me very occupied. In the coming years, we will develop a social business model for Awareness 360, and continue to grow our movement across countries. In addition, I intend to pursue further education at some point soon. I am very optimistic about what’s in store for the future.