Pervez Siddiqui is a passionate leader in peacebuilding, human rights, and social change through the arts. With more than a decade of experience in the field, he has dedicated his life to building an inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable society in Bangladesh and beyond. As the Founder and Executive Director of Films 4 Peace Foundation (F4P), Pervez has created a unique peace-building organization that engages youth and community members through research, advocacy, participatory filmmaking, arts, cultural activities, dialogues, and sports at the grassroots level in Bangladesh. Through F4P, he has trained more than 120 young people in participatory filmmaking, empowering them to become peace ambassadors in Bangladesh.

With a master's degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Dhaka, advanced studies in peace research from the University of Oslo with a full scholarship from the Government of Norway, and a human rights program under the Faculty of Law's Diplomacy Training Program at the University of New South Wales, Australia, Pervez has a deep understanding of the complexities of peacebuilding and human rights advocacy. He is also a pioneer in evidence-based video advocacy in Bangladesh, having produced more than 30 documentaries and short fiction films on migrant rights over the past 16 years, and is the founder of Cox's Bazar Pravasi Forum, an online network for migrants. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: Empowering Youth for Digital Peacebuilding: Creating Counternarratives to Combat Disinformation in Bangladesh

The project empowered 25 individuals in Bangladesh to combat disinformation through digital content creation, fostering social cohesion and reducing the risk of violence in their communities. A three-day workshop focused on digital literacy and leadership to counter disinformation and propaganda and provided the opportunity to produce three short mobile films centered on disinformation. The three short films served as powerful tools for raising awareness about the dangers of disinformation and promoting tolerance and harmony in the community.

An event was organized with state and non-state actors, providing a platform for meaningful dialogue and engagement on issues related to freedom of expression. Participants from diverse backgrounds exchanged perspectives and ideas, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation. By empowering young people to create content promoting tolerance, the initiative helped mitigate inter-communal tensions and facilitate dialogue between different religious groups, fostering unity and cooperation in Bangladesh.

See the short films here

"The workshop was an eye-opener for me. I learned so much about how to identify and counter disinformation online. Now I feel more confident in my ability to navigate social media responsibly and contribute positively to my community." - Project participant

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Pervez participated in the IVLP Project Promoting Social Change through the Arts, organized by the U.S. Department of State and the Mississippi Consortium for International Development, in partnership with Colorado Springs World Affairs Council and the U.S. Department of State Office of International Visitors program branch in New York City.

Pervez's exchange experience led to the development of his IVLP Impact Award Project: "One particular resource that deeply impacted me during my IVLP journey was...a woman I had the privilege of meeting. Her dedication to fighting violence against women through art was truly awe-inspiring."

U.S. Communities Visited

Colorado Springs, CO; Washington, DC; New York City, NY

"My IVLP experience has fueled my creativity and given me the confidence to use it to tackle pressing social issues." - Pervez Siddiqui

Country: Bangladesh

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