Shariq Bin Raza has more than 30 years of experience in international development, international relations and diplomacy, representation, public-private partnerships, societies in transition to democracies, development in conflict and post conflict situations, disaster relief-rehabilitation and reconstruction, rights based development and human rights.

During his international career he has observed, experienced and has made positive, valuable and constructive contributions as considered appropriate, necessary and desirable by the host Governments/Societies and his Organization(s) in some of the most important and critical events and moments in the histories of the nations and the regions of the world.

Shariq Bin Raza worked in the United Nations from 1990 to 2009;

In United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime- UNODC, He served as the Representative and Head of Mission in Myanmar (2006-2009), Chief, South-South/ East Asia and the Pacific at the Headquarters in Vienna (2004-2006), Programme Director and Head of Mission in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (2001-2004) and Representative & Head of Mission in Nigeria (1996-2001).

Prior to UNODC, Shariq worked as Head, Social Services Office in United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East - UNRWA, at the Headquarters in Amman, Jordan leading, developing and monitoring developmental social welfare programmes in the area of operations of UNRWA; Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, West Bank and Gaza.

Before joining the United Nations, Shariq Bin Raza worked in International Non-Governmental Organizations, primarily in child rights and child focused integrated development from 1981 to 1990;

He joined the international staff of Plan International in El-Salvador, Central America as Assistant Director in 1986 and in 1987 assumed the responsibilities of the Representative and Country Director for Plan International leading and directing all Plan programmes and operations in the country (1987-1990).

Shariq started his career in Development as a Programme Officer in Christian Children’s Fund (Now, ChildFund International) in New Delhi, India (1982-1986) where he worked with CBOs and NGOs in the urban, rural and tribal areas of 5 northern states.

He has represented, participated and presented papers and positions in global and regional summits, inter-governmental meetings, conferences, seminars, task forces and expert group meetings; inter-alia; As Head of UNRWA Delegation, UN World Summit for Social Development and NGO Forum - Copenhagen; OAU and ECOWAS summits of Heads of States and Governments - Ouagadougou and Abuja; Inter-ministerial meetings - Hanoi, Kunming, Bangkok, Banjul, Ouagadougou and Abuja; Expert Group Meetings and Task Forces - Amman, Cyprus, Nairobi, Geneva, Vienna etc.

Shariq has a Master’s Degree in Social Work, LL.B. and studies in Public Interest Litigation from University of Delhi and Post-Graduate Diploma in Labour Laws from Indian Law Institute, New Delhi. Shariq has also pursued advance and specialized studies in Human Rights from International Institute of Human Rights, Strasbourg and Peace Research from University of Oslo and Peace Research Institute of Oslo.

Shariq studied Spanish, Italian and Swahili at the University of Delhi. He had an intensive training in Spanish at the Escuela Francisco Marroquin in Antigua, Guatemala.

During his days at the University, Shariq has been a youth leader and activist and a dedicated volunteer for social service. He was General Secretary and President of the Students Union of Delhi School of Social Work, Group Leader of National Service Scheme, President – English and Debating Societies, Secretary – Indian Environmental Society, General Secretary – Dante Society/ India Chapter, Volunteer – Legal Aid Cell of the Law Faculty, Member – Rajghat School of Non-Violence, New Delhi. As a volunteer, he organized and worked with the street/rug picker children, acted as a reader for blind students, worked with children in resettlement colonies and worked/ lived with slum dwellers for improving environment and sanitation.

Born on 7 September 1955, Shariq is fluent in English, Spanish, Hindi and Urdu, has travelled to more than 80 countries and loves Golf, Photography and Travel. A keen observer and student of Art, Culture and Heritage of different parts, regions and civilizations of the world, he initiated the gigantic task of restoration, reconstruction, renovation and refurbishment of the ruins and remnants of centuries old Havelis in his ancestral village Katha in India.

After living and working overseas for more than 23 years, Shariq with his wife Alka Raza and son, Sahil Raza returned to India in 2009 to live in Katha where he, Alka and Sahil have initiated working with the poor and the underprivileged.