Raonak Barman

Raonak Barman is a Bangladeshi development professional and lawyer with over six years of experience.

Raonak's Story

Raonak Barman is a passionate Bangladeshi development professional and lawyer with over six years of experience in preventing violent extremism (PVE). His work spans project management, youth empowerment, and community engagement, with a strong focus on promoting tolerance and building resilience against extremist ideologies.

He began his journey by sensitising and mobilising university students on peacebuilding, tolerance, and leadership through a USAID-funded initiative in collaboration with New York University and the University of Chicago. Later, as Project Coordinator in a regional capacity building project funded by the European Union, he worked with civil society organisations, local government, and faith leaders to design and implement community-based PVE programming.

Raonak has contributed to developing PVE training modules, designing alternative narratives, and creating platforms for knowledge sharing. He collaborated in establishing the National PVE Network in Bangladesh, developing a sustainable platform that brought together practitioners, government, and international partners. He also assisted in online research and monitoring initiatives addressing extremist propaganda and disinformation.

Currently, Raonak serves as a member of the UNODC-supported Youth-led Board to Prevent and Respond to Terrorism, representing South Asia in global youth engagement against violent extremism.

A committed peace enthusiast, Raonak’s long-term goal is to contribute to sustainable peace in South Asia and globally by advancing policy, research, and community driven solutions to counter extremism.