Sakun Gajurel

Sakun Gajurel was born in Nepal. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Sociology with a minor in Leadership Studies) from Methodist University in North Carolina. After receiving a one-year master’s degree from University of Bologna in Italy, she joined the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, where she supported advocacy for food security, agricultural development, poverty reduction, gender equality, and partnerships for development.

After two years in Rome, in 2014, she returned to Nepal to continue her professional path in the development sector. Sakun has worked with the FAO as well as the World Food Programme (WFP) and served as communication and advocacy personnel promoting the strategic objectives of the organizations through public relations. She worked closely with the vulnerable communities in rural Nepal in the aftermath of the April 2015 earthquakes. As a development sector professional, she has worked closely with many communities. She has facilitated smooth communication between organizations and the local communities and has given voice to the need of the local people through need assessment, stories, photos, and videos. She has also supported advocacy on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) as well as One-Health issues in Asia and the Pacific Region.

Through her studies at Duke University, Sakun hopes to expand her skills as a leader in the international development sector. She aims to contribute in the areas of poverty reduction, labor migration and refugee issues, by investigating different methods to address the needs of migrants as a necessary step in resolving conflicts, peace building and ensuring sustainable development.