Alka Raza, journalist, writer and an international media and communication expert has a vast, varied and versatile experience in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas in a professional career spanning more than 25 years. As a committed journalist, media person and writer, Alka has made valuable but humble contributions for a better appreciation and understanding of sensitive issues, peace, development and the rights of the people in the socio-cultural and political milieu of the countries and regions of the world during some of the most crucial and critical times in their histories.

In Africa, during 1996-2001, Alka worked as West Africa Correspondent for Deutsche Welle Radio (Spanish Service) where she covered major socio–economic and political events from Nigeria and other parts of Africa, including OAU Summits of Heads of States and Governments from Burkina Faso, Cote d’ Ivoire and Nigeria, and had exclusive interviews of a number of Heads of States, dignitaries and leaders from the continent. She also covered the historic Presidential elections in Nigeria and her transition to Democracy after prolonged military rule for Radio Exterior of Spain (English Service).

She also served as Media Consultant to World Wildlife Fund (WWF), West Africa Communication Network – Nigeria,

In collaboration with prominent Nigerian and international institutions, the United Nations, leading NGOs and the diplomatic missions in Nigeria, Alka planned and organized a series of panel discussions and lectures on current affairs.

During the First Gulf War, based in Amman-Jordan (1990-1996), Alka worked as the Bureau Chief and Correspondent for Televisa S.A. de C.V. (The largest Spanish Language Television Network in the World with a viewer ship of over half a billion people around the Globe). She established and managed Televisa Bureau in Amman and covered extensively the Gulf War, the Middle East Crises, The Peace Process and all the Major events during this period in the region.

Alka interviewed the world statesman, political and global figures exclusively for Televisa, among others, King Hussein, Queen Noor, the (then) Crown Prince Hasan and The Prime Ministers of Jordan; Prime Minister Rabin and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres; Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat; President Saleh; King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia; President Francois Mitterand; Chancellor Helmut Kohl; President Bill Clinton, Prime Minister John Major, President Hosni Mubarak; President Hafiz al Assad etc. Alka visited some very sensitive areas which were prohibited for journalists for over three decades.

Prior to Televisa, Alka worked briefly with International Organization for Migration (IOM), Jordan as a Media Advisor and Consultant during the First Gulf War. As a prominent journalist and media person in the Middle East, Alka Organized a number of Panel Discussions, Debates and Seminars on Peace and Reconciliation in the Middle East, Conflict Resolution, Human Rights, Socio-economic issues and contributed features and articles in the Jordan Times, The Indian Express and Women’s Feature Service.

She also conceived, developed the script, prepared and produced documentaries for International NGOs for advocacy, awareness and resource mobilization.

While in Europe in 1990, Alka worked as Visiting Foreign Correspondent at the ORF TV, Austria. She also contributed news, features and articles on OPEC during the Gulf Crisis and the UN Agencies based at the United Nations Office in Vienna.

During 1986-1989, based in San-Salvador, El-Salvador, Central America, Alka worked as Special English Correspondent with TCS Television and filed special reports for “CNN World Report” as TCS Television contribution from El-Salvador. Alka covered extensively the on-going civil war including live encounters, the leftist guerilla offensive on the capital San-Salvador, assassination of seven Jesuit Priests and interviewed Mother Teresa during her visit to El-Salvador, President Duarte, President Cristiani, the Leftist Guerilla Commanders and others.

In India, Alka worked as Journalist and Sub-Editor with United News of India (UNI), Headquarters, New Delhi (June 1982-June 1986) where she covered all major national, regional and international events during this period: The Asian Games, Non-Aligned Summit, Commonwealth Head of Governments Meeting, Assassination of Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the state visits of Leaders and dignitaries and had exclusive Interviews with Mother Teresa, International Olympic Committee Chairman Juan Antonia Sam ranch, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Crown Prince of Kuwait, Mrs. Barbara Bush from USA, Mrs. Anwar al Sadat from Egypt etc. She contributed award winning features and news stories on humanitarian issues.

Prior to UNI, She was a Critic and Columnist with News Magazine “Ravivar” (February 1984-April 1996) and Trainee Journalist with “Indo-European Affairs”

Alka has authored and edited two books;

“OUR PEOPLE O!” (co-authored with Susan Hardy Twaddel, United States), a collection of interview based human-interest stories with the older people in Nigeria tracing the great tradition of oral history in the culture and society of Africa/Nigeria. The book was launched in Lagos, Nigeria in 2002 by Ford Foundation. With the proceeds of the sale of this book, she co-launched a Trust Fund to support young writers in Nigeria. Four African writers were awarded the first grants in 2001 to publish their work, and

“Myths of Female Genital Mutilation”: a research based study/work on this harmful traditional practice, primarily in Africa, with a special focus on Nigeria. The book was launched in India in April 2002 in New Delhi by UNFPA.

In recognition of her contribution to international understanding, Alka has been awarded with special grants by Ford Foundation/International Institute for Education, New York – 2000, to publish her first book and, by UNICEF and UNFPA-2001, for research and publication of her second book.

Alka has a Graduate degree with Economics and English as majors and Post-Graduate studies in Management from University of Delhi, She has pursued advance studies in Human Rights and Peace Research from International Institute of Human Rights, Strasbourg and University of Oslo/Peace research Institute of Oslo, respectively.

Fluent in English, Spanish and Hindi, Alka has basic knowledge of Arabic, French and Russian. She has formal language training in Russian from Delhi University and has extensive training in Spanish from Escuela Francisco Marroquin from Antigua, Guatemala.

Born in India, Alka has travelled to more than 70 countries. Passionate of Art, Cultures and Heritage of the world, Alka with her husband Shariq Bin Raza and son, Sahil Raza returned to India in 2009 to live in village Katha where, among other things, she is engaged in working for the underprivileged, especially the young girls.