The Youthquakes of South Asia: Mapping Commonalities and Difference

With nearly 35 years of distinguished leadership experience, Chris Holzen is recognized for his strategic vision and commitment to advancing democratic governance, peacebuilding, and institutional development in South Asia. As Director of the South Asia Freedom Institute, he oversees networking, partnership building, surveys, and advocacy initiatives that promote democracy, human rights, and regional cooperation across the subcontinent.

Chris is also the Managing Director and co-founder of Henderson International, a political consulting firm. Prior to establishing his consulting firm, Chris worked for over two decades at the International Republican Institute, most recently serving as Senior Advisor for Europe and Eurasia. Earlier in his career, he served as Deputy Director of IRI’s Asia and Middle East Division, where he provided strategic oversight and leadership to multidisciplinary teams in South Asia, designing and implementing impactful programs on democratic reforms, conflict mitigation, and civil society strengthening.

His Asia portfolio has spanned much of the region, with a particular focus on South Asia. Chris played a pivotal leadership role in establishing the Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia, a regional network of democrats and reformers. In 2005, he conducted the assessment that secured IRI’s first successful funding for Pakistan. He observed the 2005 Afghan elections as part of one of only two teams to deploy outside Kabul, working in Bamiyan, and returned in 2009 to observe from Mazar-i-Sharif. In Indonesia, he ran nationwide political campaign management and party development programs and led multi-country initiatives in South Asia. He also served as interim director of IRI’s political party program in Nepal. In 2013, during Mongolia’s presidency of the Community of Democracies, he served as Special Representative to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Mongolia, helping develop the country’s national democracy curriculum — the signature project of that presidency. He observed Taiwan’s 2000 elections as part of an IRI delegation, and represented IRI at a national conference of Chinese village election officials.

Beyond Asia, he served as IRI’s Chief of Party in Ukraine and Iraq and headed IRI’s Russia-focused office in Warsaw. As Country Director for the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) in Georgia, he helped establish the organization’s first office in that country. Chris holds a degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and is fluent in English and Russian. Governments, international organizations, and civil society actors throughout South Asia frequently seek his leadership and expertise.

Julie Mazzei is an internationally recognized scholar whose research centers on irregular political violence, with a particular emphasis on paramilitary organizations and the institutional forces that enable their emergence. She examines how groups such as paramilitaries and “death squads” organize, procure resources, and employ violence for political ends, often drawing on state or institutional support. Her research spans Latin America, the Middle East, and South Asia, exploring the dynamics of political violence, state complicity, and the impact of conflict on vulnerable populations. Mazzei has investigated the rise of violent organizations in Iraq, including the structural and policy factors that facilitated their ascendence and the targeted assassination of professors, scientists, and scholars. In South Asia, her work addresses the interplay between domestic political movements, insurgency, and state violence, particularly in the context of democratization and human rights.

Dr. Mazzei collaborated with Todd Nelson to introduce the “illiberal security complex” concept, examining the network of states involved in disappearance, detention, and torture during the U.S. extraordinary rendition program under George W. Bush. She has published analyses on the rise and evolution of paramilitary groups in Chiapas, Mexico, focusing on how neoliberal economic dynamics intersect with nonstate political violence, as well as on the targeted assassination of Iraqi intelligentsia by death squads. Her additional publications include articles on the post-conflict ramifications of paramilitary violence and reconciliation processes in El Salvador (Human Rights Quarterly, 2011), and on the development agenda and its impact on rights in Cuba, with a particular focus on “tourist apartheid” (Communist and Post-Communist Studies, 2012).

Dr. Mazzei is the Director of the School of Peace and Conflict Studies at Kent State University and a professor of international studies. She teaches courses on globalization, human security, human rights, and political violence.

Harun Rashid is a distinguished scholar, educator, and policy expert with over a decade of experience specializing in South Asian politics, governance, and conflict management. As Director of the South Asia Freedom Institute, he leads pioneering research, policy analysis, and advocacy initiatives that advance democracy, peacebuilding, and human rights throughout the region.

Currently an Adjunct Professor of Political Science and Conflict Management at Kent State University, Harun’s research explores structural violence and conflict in multiethnic democracies, with particular emphasis on India and Bangladesh. His multidisciplinary expertise is rooted in academic rigor and practical engagement. He has held faculty appointments at Kent State University, the University of Texas at Austin (online), the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (Brazil), BRAC University, Daffodil International University, and the Asian University for Women (Bangladesh). He has designed and taught courses on South Asian politics, conflict management, comparative politics, and development studies.

Harun’s impact extends well beyond the classroom. His extensive fieldwork and policy consulting include several leadership roles, notably as Country Manager for the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Country Consultant for the International Republican Institute (IRI), Senior Researcher at the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development, and Consultant at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In these capacities, he has contributed to projects on democratic governance, conflict prevention, and the development of governance indicators under the UN Sustainable Development Goals. He collaborates closely with governments, NGOs, and international organizations to advance democracy, freedom, peace, justice, and strong institutions across South Asia.

Widely published, Harun has authored numerous journal articles, policy reports, and book chapters on nationalism, electoral politics, violent extremism, border conflicts, and migration. His op-eds and policy analyses are featured regularly in leading South Asian and international outlets, shaping public discourse on democracy and governance.

A frequent speaker at international conferences and policy forums, Harun is a sought-after expert on South Asian affairs, advising think tanks, government agencies, and civil society organizations on challenges ranging from democratic backsliding to minority rights and regional stability.

Harun is fluent in English and Bengali, with working knowledge of Arabic, Hindi, and Urdu. He is a member of the American Political Science Association (APSA), Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA), and the Democracy and Human Rights Working Group (DHRWG) convened by the McCain Institute. Harun holds two master’s degrees in political science and conflict management, one from the University of Dhaka and another from Kent State University. For his PhD, he examines the relationship between structural violence and majoritarian democracy. As a founding Director of the South Asia Freedom Institute, he is dedicated to advancing research-driven solutions for peace, democracy, and freedom across South Asia.

Pradip Pariyar is a prominent Nepali expert, social entrepreneur, and a leading advocate for social justice and inclusive leadership. As the Founder and Chair of the Dalit Lives Matter Global Alliance (DLMGA), Pradip has mobilized a global movement to combat caste-based discrimination and empower marginalized communities worldwide. Under his leadership, DLMGA has become a vital force in building constructive resistance against inequality and fostering a network of civic actors equipped to fight caste-based adversities.

Pradip’s expertise is recognized at the highest international levels. He is a Young Global Leader (2020–2025) at the World Economic Forum (WEF), where he was named alongside global changemakers such as Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Megan Rapinoe. He currently serves on the WEF’s Global Future Council on Leadership (2025–2026), contributing innovative thinking to shape resilient, inclusive, and sustainable futures. His work at the Forum places him at the center of global dialogue on leadership, diversity, and equitable development.

With over two decades of experience in civil society, policy advocacy, and youth empowerment, Pradip has founded and led several pioneering initiatives in Nepal. As Founder President of the Nepal Policy Center (2014–2025), he championed transparent, participatory policymaking and youth-led public policy research. He is also the Founding Chairperson of Pasa Yard, a social enterprise offering community spaces, business incubation, and support for at-risk youth, demonstrating his commitment to social entrepreneurship and grassroots impact.

Pradip’s extensive engagement spans key roles with organizations such as Samata Foundation, Search for Common Ground, and the Association of Youth Organizations Nepal (AYON), where he has designed and managed peacebuilding, media, and youth empowerment initiatives. He has also served on national task forces for policy review with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Nepal, and consulted on media and peacebuilding projects in Myanmar and Timor-Leste.

His academic credentials include executive education at Harvard University (Global Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century), leadership training at the University of Virginia’s Frank Batten School, and peacebuilding coursework at American University.

Honored with distinctions such as the Asia 21 Young Leaders Award from Asia Society and Nepal’s Talented Youth Award, Pradip Pariyar stands as a transformative leader dedicated to building a just, inclusive, and equitable society in Nepal and beyond.

Deekshya Illangasinghe is the Executive Director of South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR), a prominent regional network of human rights defenders based in Colombo and operating across South Asia. With over a decade of leadership at SAHR, Deekshya has steered fact-finding missions and advocacy initiatives addressing a wide spectrum of issues, from rule-of-law crises in the Maldives to the plight of political prisoners in Bhutan. Most recently, she played a pivotal role in SAHR’s efforts to promote accountability following Nepal’s September 2025 protests, and she has been an active voice on youth-led civic engagement in Nepal’s democratic landscape.

Deekshya’s academic journey as a human rights student was marked by inspiring classroom discussions on global politics and human rights, as well as formative experiences such as attending United Nations sessions in Geneva. Participating in the Indian UPR session, witnessing civil society’s engagement and governmental responses, was a defining moment in her development as a human rights advocate. During her time at the Institute, she honed critical skills in legal and ethical analysis, applying international human rights law and rigorous research methods essential for effective advocacy and policy recommendations.

Deekshya credits the Institute for strengthening her resolve and equipping her with the tools to speak up courageously for human rights both in her home country and on the global stage. She remains deeply committed to fostering justice, equality, and the protection of human rights across South Asia.