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Aliza Ayaz

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Aliza Ayaz
Ayaz at the UK House of Lords, 2024
Born14 June
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Alma materUniversity College London
Occupation(s)International climate activist, sustainability consultant
Years active2017–present
Websitewww.alizaayaz.com

Aliza Ayaz is an international climate activist, business and sustainability consultant[1][2] and a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador.[3] She jointly won the United Kingdom Youth Outstanding Commitment to Sustainability Award at University College London (UCL), and has spoken at United Nations, London International Model United Nations, and UK Parliamentary events.[2][4][5] She is a member of the National Youth Council Pakistan.[5][6] She is known for setting up the Climate Action Society at UCL[2] which helped inspire UK-wide youth action against climate change, leading to the climate emergency declaration at the UK Parliament.[5][7][8] In October 2020 she was appointed as the United Nations youth ambassador for Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG13), the second Pakistani student after Malala Yousafzai to have received this honour.[9][10][11][12][13]

Early life and education

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Ayaz was born in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and has lived most of her life around the Middle East.[14] Before moving to London, she studied at Karachi Grammar School[14][15] and Dubai British School.

She studied at University College London for her bachelor's degree[16] followed by an MSc in infectious disease epidemiology.[17]

Career

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While a student, Ayaz founded the Climate Action Society (CAS) at UCL in 2018.[18][19] Ayaz heads a series of London-based conferences, workshops, campaigns and the annual "Sustainability Symposium"[20] hosted at UCL to engage the UK wide youth in pushing for climate resilience.[21]

Ayaz organised workshops to motivate positive changes in climate-related behaviours with a range of experts given her passion to tackle the climate change health impacts as an emerging cause of morbidity that became apparent during her undergraduate studies.[22] With her team at Climate Action Society,[23] she is known to have facilitated diversity and inclusion in the fight against climate change through organising BME-focused networking dinners and conferences;[24] and Ayaz was invited to a governmental round-table discussion by Lola Young, Baroness Young of Hornsey.[25] The first UK-wide "Sustainability Symposium" which won the Students' Union "Event of the Year" award was introduced by her.[26] The Symposium's concept connects various disciplines such as engineering and art to participate in the mitigation and adaptation to the effects of climate change.[27]

Ayaz worked on rolling out the UK Kickstart Scheme with Rishi Sunak (Chancellor of the Exchequer at HM Treasury), providing funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit.[8][28] Simultaneously, she was also involved with the UK Green Homes Grant given her passion for tackling fuel poverty and carbon emissions.[29][30]

Ayaz was invited to the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival to design the Festival's sustainability strategy.[31] Ayaz was the only British Pakistani and the youngest attendee at the Marché du Film and spoke on a panel about the importance of film production to be environmental conscious.[32]

Ayaz was awarded the "Professional Leadership in Banking & Finance" award by Women In Management UK at the House of Lords in London in March , 2024[33] for her role as the Executive Director of Climate Action Society & business consultant, thus becoming the youngest person to have won this award in history.

Personal life

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Ayaz was born on 14 June. Ayaz resides in London, England[34] with friends and family, but is often travelling.[35] She credits her parents Mohammad Ayaz and Dr. Rana Najmi for her success and inspiration.[36]

Other work and media involvement

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Ayaz is involved with global health policy initiatives at UCL's department under the Vice-Provost (Health) David Lomas. She is currently enrolled on an undergraduate program for Population Health Sciences at UCL.[34]

She has written about universities' carbon-neutrality policies,.[37]

Ayaz has been covered in CNN, BBC,[38] Geo TV, ARY News, The Express Tribune,[39] The Pakistan Daily,[40][41] Parlho Pink,[42] The Women Journal, The News International, Daily Pakistan,[43][44] LexGaze Weekly,[45] and in other media on subjects including sustainable fashion, environmental consultancy and student entrepreneurship.[5][7][25][46][47]

She was ranked number three on The Pakistan Daily's 30 under 30 list in 2021.[48] Ayaz regularly participates at global climate forums on behalf of the UK Government and previously spoke at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).[49][50][51]

Ayaz is often interviewed on lifestyle related climate topics, and has spoken extensively on how Gen-Z cope with climate anxiety.[52] Ayaz is a frequent speaker in the corporate sector, invited by organisations to assist them with their sustainability goals.[53] She has delivered keynotes at significant conferences such as the ESG and Climate Summit 2023.[54]

Ayaz has been involved in the Ayaz Rana Foundation, a charity launched in 2022 to provide assistance to the impoverished and the deprived.[55]

Aliza has been invited to speak at The Economist Sustainability Week in 2024 as the only youth sustainability leader.[56] She regularly mentors students, such as through the University of Leeds careers events and participates in regional events, such as International Women’s Day celebrations.[57]

Research papers

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  • Najmi, Rana; Ayaz, Aliza (1 January 2021). "An Investigation of the Relationships between Ethnicity and Occupational Classes with Mental Wellbeing in the UK: Cross-Sectional Findings from the Health Survey for England 2014-16". Journal of MAR Pulmonology. 2 (1).[58]

References

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  1. ^ "ESG and Climate Summit 2023". The Pensions Management Institute. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Aliza Ayaz – Climate Change Advocate". That Muslim Life. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  3. ^ Hasan, Zoya (8 March 2021). "This International Women's Day, Meet the 22-Year-Old Climate Activist From Pakistan". The Story Exchange. Archived from the original on 26 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Aliza Ayaz | World Urban Forum". World Urban Forum. United Nations. February 2020. Archived from the original on 12 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d Qureshi, Farid (19 October 2019). "Pakistani student Aliza Ayaz leads student engagement at UCL". ARY News. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  6. ^ Omer, Laiba (12 February 2020). "Pakistan's First And Youngest Student, Aliza Ayaz Speaks At WUF By The UN Habitat". www.brandsynario.com. Archived from the original on 12 September 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  7. ^ a b Ali Shah, Murtaza (4 May 2019). "Pakistani student campaigns for climate change in UK universities". Geo TV. Independent Media Corporation. Archived from the original on 12 September 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  8. ^ a b Staff (9 November 2020). "Meet the Pakistani student increasing jobs in the UK". Migrant News. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  9. ^ Hamid, Gulmeena (3 February 2021). "Pakistani Girl Aliza Ayaz Appointed As UN Youth Ambassador For SDGs". BOL News. BOL Media Group. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  10. ^ Staff (3 February 2021). "Pakistani girl Aliza Ayaz selected as UN Youth Ambassador for SDGs". Times of Islamabad. Times of Islamabad (Pvt) Limited. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  11. ^ Khawaja, Farid (January 2021). "Pakistani student: Aliza Ayaz has been appointed as the United Nations Youth Envoy for Sustainable Development Goals". British Pakistan Foundation. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  12. ^ Staff (November 2020). "Aliza Ayaz, Pakistan's youngest girl, made a name for herself at the United Nations". World News DNA. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  13. ^ Ayaz, Aliza (30 November 2020). "Climate Change: Catalyst for Infectious Diseases with Aliza: Towards Sustainable Future". Spotify. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  14. ^ a b Staff (2020). "Ezri Carlebach - Aliza Ayaz". Bloomsbury Festival. Archived from the original on 12 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  15. ^ Staff (21 March 2017). "Karachi Grammar School wins best small delegation award at Harvard MUN". Dawn. Dawn Media Group. Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  16. ^ O'Brien, Joe (1 December 2020). "Student Interview – Aliza Ayaz (Part 1)". UCL. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  17. ^ "UCL master's student appointed as UN Youth Ambassador". UCL. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  18. ^ Staff (2020). "Going Global 2020 | British Council". British Council China. Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  19. ^ Staff (11 March 2020). "UCL Climate Action Society to United Nations". Students' Union UCL. UCL. Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  20. ^ UCL Staff (16 November 2018). "The Sustainability Symposium". Facebook Events. Archived from the original on 15 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  21. ^ Meyer Funnell, Cathy (24 November 2018). "National leaders convene at UCL for groundbreaking climate change conference". Pi Media. UCL. Archived from the original on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  22. ^ Agoston, Dorottya (1 November 2019). "Sustainability Symposium 2019". Savage Journal. UCL. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  23. ^ Staff (21 July 2020). "The easiest way to stop worrying about the future? Start shaping it..." UCL Students. UCL. Archived from the original on 14 September 2020.
  24. ^ Staff (2020). "26 Leaps – Bloomsbury Festival". Bloomsbury Festival. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  25. ^ a b Ali Shah, Murtaza (6 May 2019). "Pakistani student leads climate change campaign in UK varsities". The News International. Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  26. ^ Ferris, Nick (10 November 2018). "Interview: Aliza Ayaz". UCL's Arts and Culture Journal. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  27. ^ Staff (10 October 2018). "Going WILD With: The UCL Climate Action Society". WILD Magazine. Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  28. ^ Khan, Waeed (November 2020). "UK Government's £2 billion Kickstart Scheme explained". Migrant News. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  29. ^ Abbasi, Zaib (20 October 2020). "Addressing fuel poverty through insulation measures in Pakistan: Meet Aliza Ayaz". MuzEnt. MuzEnt Media. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  30. ^ Staff (15 November 2020). "پاکستان کی سب سے کم عمر نوجوان لڑکی " علیزہ ایاز " نے اقوام متحدہ میں خدمات انجام دے کر ملک کا نام پوری دنیا میں روشن کر دی" [Pakistan's youngest girl "Aliza Ayaz" made the country famous all over the world by serving in the United Nations]. Daily Pakistan (in Urdu). Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  31. ^ Aijaz, Zain (25 June 2023). "A green filter to make films pop!". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  32. ^ Staff (14 May 2023). "Think-Film Impact Production Returns to Cannes with New Cutting-Edge Topics on Film & Society". Marché du Film. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  33. ^ "Aliza Ayaz". WIM. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  34. ^ a b Staff (23 November 2018). "Seven Questions with Aliza Ayaz". UCL Journal. UCL. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  35. ^ "Gen.T: A Spotlight For Bright Young People: Gen.T: Aliza Ayaz, Founder at Climate Action Society, HoL Honour #7 on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  36. ^ Moiz, Anika (18 June 2021). "Aliza Ayaz- The UN Youth Ambassador". Boss Women Pakistan. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  37. ^ Ayaz, Aliza. "How can universities fight against climate change? A perspective from UCL". Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  38. ^ Ayaz, Aliza (2 March 2021). "Being an Ambassador for the World at the United Nations [See "Show more"]". BBC Asian Network (Audio podcast). Interviewed by Pria Rai. BBC. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  39. ^ Ayaz, Aliza (16 January 2021). "The actual number of Covid-19 deaths in Pakistan". The Express Tribune. Bilal Ali Lakhani. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  40. ^ Staff (12 November 2020). "Infectious disease expert Aliza Ayaz explains Pfizer vaccine's suitability in Pakistan". The Pakistan Daily. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  41. ^ Staff (11 November 2020). "MSc Infectious Disease Epidemiology student, Aliza Ayaz" (Video). The Pakistan Daily. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  42. ^ Ayaz, Dania (4 July 2018). "This Pakistani Teenage Girl Is Reaching New Heights In The UK And We're Nothing But Proud!". Parhlo Pink. Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  43. ^ Ayaz, Aliza (30 November 2020). "At least 2000 additional deaths: The REAL face of COVID-19 in Pakistan". Daily Pakistan. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  44. ^ Staff (20 November 2020). "A Pakistani girl from University College London" (Video). Daily Pakistan. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  45. ^ Ayaz, Aliza (2020). "Step 1 of "collective effort": Addressing the need of a new mindset to deliver a sustainable future". LexGaze Weekly. LexGaze. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  46. ^ Khan, Rimsha (19 October 2019). "Young Pakistani speaker Aliza Ayaz acting as a student representative at UCL". The Women Journal. Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  47. ^ Staff (14 November 2020). "Pakistani Youngest Girl House of Lords Nominee and United Nations Envoy - Aliza Ayaz". Chalta TV (Video). YouTube. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  48. ^ Staff (23 April 2021). "TPD's 30 Under 30 list 2021". The Pakistan Daily. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  49. ^ McCartney, Georgina (8 November 2021). "COP26: Camden says 'big price tag' required for climate 'transformation'". Ham & High. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  50. ^ "COP26 Celebration Event". Only The Best Events. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  51. ^ "As COP26 nears, some thoughts on how communities can build a sustainable, equitable, green economic recoveries". revitalization.org. 15 September 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  52. ^ "Climate anxiety: Why we won't be flying home for Christmas". 23 December 2023 – via www.bbc.com.
  53. ^ "Leadership Masterclass Five: Leading through Climate Change | Airmic". www.airmic.com.
  54. ^ "ESG and Climate Summit 2023".
  55. ^ Staff (14 June 2022). "Launch of the Ayaz Rana Foundation". Pakistan Daily. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  56. ^ "Sustainability Week Agenda". events.economist.com.
  57. ^ "Women2Women : Secure You Place For, International Women's Day 2024". Eventbrite. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  58. ^ Najmi, Rana; Ayaz, Aliza (1 January 2021). "An Investigation of the Relationships between Ethnicity and Occupational Classes with Mental Wellbeing in the UK: Cross-Sectional Findings from the Health Survey for England 2014-16". Journal of MAR Pulmonology. 2 (1). Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
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