In a significant achievement, Rounak Shahi, a research scholar from the Department of West Asian and North African Studies at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), represented the institution at the G20 Women Empowerment Summit. The summit, organized by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
The G20 Women Empowerment Summit is a prestigious international platform that brings together Women and Gender Equality Ministers from G20 countries and guest nations. Shahi’s participation in this summit as a student representative is a testament to her academic prowess and commitment to gender equality.
During the summit, Shahi highlighted the role of AMU in promoting the theme of the G20 Summit, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” which translates to “the world is one family.” She emphasized that AMU has been working closely with the Government of India to maximize the benefits of India’s G20 Presidency.
Shahi pointed out that India has set an agenda of ‘collaboration and inclusivity’ in global discourse through the G20 forum. This was echoed by AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mohammad Gulrez, in his Independence Day speech. As an educational institution, AMU is making concerted efforts to educate its students about the G20 and India’s role in propagating the message of the summit — “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.
Shahi further points out that as the Chair of the summit, India has given a new direction to Women’s Leadership by transitioning from an approach of “Women Development” to “Women Led Development”. This shift signifies a more proactive role for women in shaping their own development narratives.
Rounak Shahi is currently pursuing research on “Deconstructing American Foreign Policy: Shifting World Order and Competing Interests in West Asia”. Her research work reflects her keen interest in international relations and global politics.
The participation of a scholar like Shahi in such a high-profile international summit not only brings laurels to AMU but also underscores the importance of academic institutions in shaping global discourses on critical issues like women empowerment. It also highlights the role that universities like AMU play in fostering an environment that encourages students to engage with global issues and contribute to international dialogues.
