A politician, consultant and educator whose work has been pioneering in the area of community-cohesion will explore Geopolitics, Diplomacy and International Relations with students.
London Met has appointed Kishan Devani BEM as a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Politics and International Relations. During his time in the Univerisity, he will have a particular focus on Geopolitics and Diplomacy during his time here, according to a statement.
One of the youngest BAME Freemen of the City of London as well as a seasoned politician, consultant and educator, his work has been pioneering in the area of community cohesion within the British-Asian community. Since leaving university ten years ago, he has engaged young Asian people to get involved in British civic life through talks at schools, colleges and universities, with the aim of inspiring them to join the fields of politics, education and social service.
He has previously served as Deputy Chairman of the London Conservative Party, becoming the youngest politician of ethnic minority background to be appointed to the role, before leaving to join the Liberal Democrats. He now serves as a Board Member of the Lib Dems and Vice President of the Liberal Democrats Campaign for Race Equality.
A passionate campaigner for equality and inclusion, he has worked closely with British Asians to build community links in London and beyond, as well as working with young people at risk of radicalisation. Kishan was honoured by Her Majesty the Queen in Her New Years Honour’s List 2020 with the BEM (British Empire Medal) for Services to Community Cohesion.
Kishan was also made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2015 and was honoured with the Freedom of the City of London – making him one of the youngest BAME Freemans of London. He was the Deputy Chairman (Membership and Finance) of the Entire London Conservative Party. he sat on the National Association Finance Board of the Conservative Party. In addition to this, he was the Chairman of Conservative Way Forward’s Treasurers Committee.
He stood for Parliament in 2015 for the Constituency of Leicester East and has previously stood for Council elections in 2014. As well as this, he was a candidate for the Greater London Assembly for the elections in 2016. Kishan left the Conservative Party in 2017 & joined the Liberal Democrat Party – he was appointed to be a Treasurers Envoy for the Party by Lord Michael German the party’s Treasurer. He was also appointed to the Racial Equality Working Group of the party. Kishan was appointed Vice-President of the Liberal Democrats Campaign for Race Equality (LDCRE).
Kishan was also elected Vice-Chairman of Liberal Democrats in Business. Kishan was also the Liberal Democrats Parliamentary Candidate for Montgomeryshire in the 2019 General Election. Kishan was also appointed Ambassador of the REC (Religious Education Council of England and Wales) & is Advisor to The Unity of Faiths Foundation”
On his appointment at London Met he said, “I fundamentally believe in Unity in Diversity, which is exemplified at London Met. Your students, academics and staff come from across the globe and work together as one family. This inspiration forms the basis of my own values and vision of bringing communities together.
“The diversity of the student body is a huge asset to the University. I believe what London Met has to offer is second to none, as it provides students the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life and learn from one another. This is one of the institutions biggest strengths and one of the major reasons I look forward to being a part of the London Met family.”
Asked what advice he would give to a student interested in embarking on a career in politics or civic relations, he said, “there is nothing you cannot achieve. Dream big, work hard and you shall achieve.
“I try to live life by the motto of my Spiritual Gurus and Teachers – Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj – who say,
‘In the joy of others lies our own,
In the progress of others rests our own,
In the good of others abides our own,
Know this to be the key to peace and happiness.’
Hark Work + prayers = success”