By Viola Nabbale

London, United Kingdom

Updated at 0:19 GMT on Sunday 21st March 21

A UK based organisation has appointed Kivumbi Earnest Benjamin as an International Ambassador. In a Press Release and statement on there website, The Deol Foundation has quoted;

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead.

Deo Foundation added; “We look forward to working closely with our esteemed colleague on pivotal issues such as the environment, social impact, the freedom of the press, and media.”

Following the partnership Kivumbi said;

“Its with immense pleasure that I receive this certificate of partnership with Deol Foundation. This marks a new dawn in the arena of global impact especially in the areas pointed out.
I pledge my allegiance to working hard and smart in executing the mandate given to me through this partnership.”
Kivumbi added “I extend my sincere appreciations Sir Deol for opportunity given to me.”

About Kivumbi Earnest Benjamin

Kivumbi is a Ugandan based environmental rights campaigner; President General of Heal The Planet Global Organisation – HTP and Executive Director of Africa at Heart.
He is an Investigative Journalist by Profession, holds an Advanced Diploma in Professional Computing & Information Technology and a Diploma in Law. He is also an Author, Motivational Conference Speaker and Ex National Coordinator/ Deputy Spokesman of the Ugandan Political Party (People’s Development Party-PDP).
Kivumbi has travelled extensively and spoken at several United Nations and International Conventions; he is very optimistic about the future of the African continent and the role it can play within the world.

“I have been asked by my friend and colleague Sir-Inder Deol from the United Kingdom to become an International Ambassador of The Deol Foundation. I am honoured and look forward to working on many exciting projects together in the future” Kivumbi Earnest Benjamin.

The Deol Foundation vision is support a global free press and the areas of operation include freedom of Press and Media, Human Rights, Environmental Rights and Social Impact.
The organisation values include Ethical Journalism, Integrity and Empowerment
It implements global projects and current projects include Academic Research, Programmes, Journalist Training Programmes, Legal Out Reach Programmes, Radio & Tv Programmes and Human Rights Programmes.

Kivumbi and Sir-Inder Deol will be taking the lead on an upcoming Climate Change Consultancy.

The Deo Foundation has incredible personalities on its Board including;

Lord Indarjit Singh OBE CBE
Baron of Wimbledon

Dr.Indarjit Singh OBE CBE was the first turban-wearing Sikh to join the House of Lords when he was appointed in 2011. He is also currently Director of the Network of Sikh Organisations. He is also co-founded the Interfaith Network for the UK. In 1989

​Dr. Singh was the first non-Christian to receive the Templeton Award for services to spirituality, and in 1991 he was awarded the Interfaith Medallion for services to religious broadcasting. Lord Singh has been brought on board in order to promote The Foundation.

“Thank you to Lord Singh for promoting our United Nations Initiative through the press and by writing to M.P’s” Sir-Inder Deol

Jeevan Ravindran is a journalist and campaigner from London who focuses on human rights and social justice issues. A member of Amnesty International since 2012, Jeevan began leading the human rights youth group at her school in 2014 and organised campaigns and actions on women’s reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights and for the release of prisoners of conscience. The group was invited to International Women’s Day symposiums at the House of Lords and House of Commons where Jeevan spoke on women’s rights. At university, Jeevan began leading the homelessness campaign, organising fundraisers, supporting homelessness action groups, and launching the pioneering campaign to repeal the 1824 Vagrancy Act that is now a nationwide issue.

After graduating from the University of Oxford in 2020 with a degree in French and Spanish, Jeevan has written for BBC World, ELLE and World Politics Review among other publications on issues from Tamil oppression in Sri Lanka to abortion rights in Argentina. She is also a Youth Forum member for the Y7 Summit in 2021. Jeevan has previously worked for Reporters Without Borders, Reuters TV in both Paris and Madrid, and Amnesty International and will present four shows on the BBC Asian Network in April.

​Zeljana studied at Oxford Brookes University,  achieving a LLB Law degree. She currently works for the Ministry of Justice as an Administrative Officer. She has an overlying interest in corporate, employment and commercial law. She is a personal legal advisor to many in the U.K’s British Serbian community.

Zeljana  likes learning new languages and cultures, she is always look to expand her knowledge wherever possible. Her hobbies include art, music and fitness – particularly boxing.

Freedom of the press is of significant interest to Zeljana, both in her professional field and personally. She is currently working on a Deol Foundation project to provide free legal advise to journalists from developing nations.

“Professor Balkar Singh’s advise has been invaluable” says Sir-Inder Deol

Balkar Singh is the Director of the World Punjabi Centre, Punjabi University, Patiala, India. A postgraduate of Punjabi University (M.A. in Punjabi, 1964; Persian, 1975) and Post Graduate Course in Sikh Theology, Head of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Studies Department. On his retirement, Balkar Singh was honoured with the title of ‘Professor of Eminence’ 

During his long academic career, he held several other posts including Dean, Faculty of Humanity and Religious Studies, Dean of Colleges and was a Member of Punjabi University Syndicate. As a member of several academic bodies of Punjab and a longstanding advisor to Dharam Parchar Committee of SGPC, he was also Member of Advisory Committee to Akal Takhat Sahib, Amritsar. Among other positions he was Director, Guru Ram Das Institute of Language and Culture, Espanola, New Mexico, USA during 2001- 2006. He is an Executive Member of Sikh Educational Society (SES), Chandigarh, Member of Advisory Committee for Advanced Centre for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Studies at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. 

He was a visiting Professor of Sikh Studies at Espanola, New Mexico, USA during 2001-2006 where he had extensive exchange with Harbhajan Singh Yogi and his followers while gaining much experience of the Sikh community settled in North America.

Left: On the left of the image Professor Balkar Singh receiving our Directors letter from a member of Punjabi University.