THE ARCHITECTURE OF PEACE

THE ARCHITECTURE OF PEACE
'Irfan Pullani’s Mission to Reimagine Justice Across Communities'
Exclusive Interview with Irfan Pullani
Conducted by Alexander Taylor

In a world shaped by conflict and inequality, Irfan Pullani has chosen to dedicate his career to building bridges where others see barriers. As an international lawyer and peacebuilder, his work spans from documenting the human cost of instability in Kashmir to leading clean water initiatives in Africa and South Asia. In this conversation, he reflects on his journey, the projects he has led, and the vision he holds for a more just and peaceful future.

ALEX: To start, could you share about your involvement in peace-building efforts, particularly your studies at the United Nations University for Peace?
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IRFAN: Inspired by the 2019 constitutional changes in Kashmir, I launched a two-year peace-building project to document the human impact of the region’s prolonged instability. I interviewed nearly 3,000 families across South Asia to capture the region’s human toll—stories of both trauma and resilience.

To deepen my understanding, I took my first formal training in peace-building through the Global Campus of the United States Institute of Peace. After completing my legal education and a brief stint practicing at the Supreme Court of India, I pursued a master’s degree in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes at the UN-mandated University for Peace (UPEACE) in Costa Rica.

At UPEACE, I studied alongside classmates from over 50 countries and learned directly from UN diplomats, former ICJ judges, and globally recognized peace practitioners. It was an immersive, transformative experience that gave structure and vocabulary to what I had begun in Kashmir. Today, I’m working to establish the Irenology Institute—a first-of-its-kind center in India focused on experiential peace-building through tourism, religion, and arts, combining academic rigor with community-rooted approaches.

ALEX: In your areas of focus on water, health, and human rights, what projects have you undertaken that have had a significant societal impact?

IRFAN: I lead a $1M impact initiative with a Middle East-based health company to expand clean water access in Africa and South Asia. In Ghana and India, our pilot projects serve rural schools and communities through partnerships with NGOs and local governments. We combine infrastructure with community training, health screenings, and hygiene education to build lasting public health resilience. My previous disaster relief work in India reinforced how deeply health justice and peace-building are connected.

ALEX: What inspired you to pursue a career at the intersection of peace-building, health, and human rights?

IRFAN: Growing up in Abu Dhabi, I was raised between cultures, rooted in Kerala, India, and surrounded by global perspectives in the Gulf. This dual identity sparked my early interest in justice, inequality, and the question of “What makes a society peaceful?”

​My passion deepened through work in Kashmir and expanded with the Group of Advocates for the Right to Development (GARtD), a global network initiated by UPEACE and supported by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. There, I lead efforts linking health equity and development. I also see technology as key to addressing systemic injustice, having spoken at forums like RightsCon Taipei on AI and the Right to Development. For me, peace-building is about transforming systems and how we care for one another within them.

ALEX: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for expanding your impact in social and societal domains?

IRFAN: Over the next five years, I’m focused on scaling three core efforts. I aim to institutionalize peace research through the Irenology Institute—a space that blends academic inquiry with on-ground interventions across South Asia. At the same time, I’m expanding water-health nexus projects in more countries, especially in climate-vulnerable regions, to create an integrated public health model that can be replicated globally. I’m also laying the foundation for a South Asian Reparations Commission, inspired by the Caribbean model, to strengthen South-South solidarity and address colonial legacies through development cooperation. At the heart of all this is a belief in the capacity of youth networks to reimagine our future, from within the communities they know best.

ALEX: What advice would you give to individuals looking to make a meaningful impact in their communities?

IRFAN: I always say: “I want to believe that it’s possible.” That belief is where everything starts. Start local. Start humble. Don't wait to be perfect or fully prepared: begin with what you know and let your work grow with you. Listen more than you speak. Build with your community, not just for it. And remember that progress isn't always visible right away, but if your intention is rooted in justice and empathy, your impact will outlive the moment. ∎

Find & follow Irfan on Instagram:
​@ipullani