Voices from the Roof of the World

Home
Voices from the Roof of the World

The Roof of the World is in meltdown. From the Pamir and Tian Shan mountains in Central Asia to the

07/11/2025

We’re proud to announce that “Homage to Water” from Voices from the Roof of the World has been selected as a finalist at the Burabay International Short Film Festival!

Directed by Janyl Jusupjan and produced by Andrew Tkach, the episode beautifully captures how water connects, sustains, and defines life in the world’s highest mountain regions.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/NimkZ3MJuLk?si=cdUzQk77vlI5nN0K

VRW is a joint initiative of the Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation, and the University of Central Asia — made possible with the support of Ross Beaty, the Sitka Foundation, Gulshan Kassamali Jiwa Family, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for the Environment, and the Jenabai Hussainali Shariff Family.

06/11/2025

The Himalayas are warming twice as fast as the global average.
As revealed by the UN Environment Programme (2022), melting glaciers are threatening the future of millions who depend on their waters.

Voices from the Roof of the World (VRW) is a joint initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network agencies: Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation, and the University of Central Asia — made possible with the support of Ross Beaty, the Jenabai Hussainali Shariff Family, the Sitka Foundation, Gulshan Kassamali Jiwa Family, and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for the Environment.

05/11/2025

As part of the Brain and Mind Institute (BMI) Conference 2025, the Aga Khan University hosted a special screening of two Voices from the Roof of the World (VRW) episodes — “A Cry from the Mountains” and “The Valleys Our Ancestors Chose.”

The screening highlighted the deep connection between climate change and mental health, followed by an engaging discussion with the filmmakers on storytelling, resilience, and environmental awareness.

VRW is a joint initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network agencies: Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation, and the University of Central Asia — made possible with the support of Ross Beaty, the Sitka Foundation, Gulshan Kassamali Jiwa Family, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for the Environment, and the Jenabai Hussainali Shariff Family.

04/11/2025

Nearly half of Central Asia’s wildlife faces extinction as the planet warms. According to World Bank data (2023), fragile ecosystems are collapsing — and every lost species tells a story of imbalance.

Voices from the Roof of the World (VRW) is a joint initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network agencies: Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation, and the University of Central Asia — made possible with the support of Ross Beaty, the Jenabai Hussainali Shariff Family, the Sitka Foundation, Gulshan Kassamali Jiwa Family, and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for the Environment.

03/11/2025

In the world’s highest villages, children still walk miles each day for water. The UN OCHA Floods Situation Report (2022) highlights how changing weather is making survival harder for mountain families.

Watch ➤ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6V0_aWKW_aRguBju9Ow1OF6k4-wN5rJ2&si=9fQwSZ8yWVmDTsX0

Voices from the Roof of the World (VRW) is a joint initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network agencies: Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation, and the University of Central Asia — made possible with the support of Ross Beaty, the Jenabai Hussainali Shariff Family, the Sitka Foundation, Gulshan Kassamali Jiwa Family, and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for the Environment.

31/10/2025

As part of the Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute (BMI) Conference 2025, join us for a special screening of “A Cry from the Mountains” (directed by Karim Shallwanee) and “The Valleys Our Ancestors Chose” (directed by Tazeen Bari) — two acclaimed episodes from Voices from the Roof of the World (VRW) that explore the intersection of climate change, resilience, and mental health.

🎬 The screening will be followed by a conversation with the filmmakers, offering powerful insights into storytelling, community well-being, and the human impact of climate change.

📅 Date: 4th November
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
📍 Venue: AKU Auditorium

Voices from the Roof of the World (VRW) is a joint initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network agencies: Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation, and the University of Central Asia — made possible with the support of Ross Beaty, the Jenabai Hussainali Shariff Family, the Sitka Foundation, Gulshan Kassamali Jiwa Family, and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for the Environment.

30/10/2025

Pakistan ranks among the top 10 countries most affected by climate disruption.

According to the IPCC Report (2023) and ICIMOD HKH Assessment (2019), rising temperatures, floods, and droughts are rewriting Pakistan’s story of resilience.

Watch more ➤ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6V0_aWKW_aRguBju9Ow1OF6k4-wN5rJ2&si=9fQwSZ8yWVmDTsX0

Voices from the Roof of the World (VRW) is a joint initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network agencies: Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation, and the University of Central Asia — made possible with the support of Ross Beaty, the Jenabai Hussainali Shariff Family, the Sitka Foundation, Gulshan Kassamali Jiwa Family, and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for the Environment.

29/10/2025

Over 60% of rural Pakistan depends on farming — and climate change is putting it all at risk. As reported by Germanwatch’s Global Climate Risk Index (2023), erratic weather threatens food security and livelihoods across the nation.

Discover the stories ➤ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6V0_aWKW_aRguBju9Ow1OF6k4-wN5rJ2&si=9fQwSZ8yWVmDTsX0

Voices from the Roof of the World (VRW) is a joint initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network agencies: Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation, and the University of Central Asia — made possible with the support of Ross Beaty, the Jenabai Hussainali Shariff Family, the Sitka Foundation, Gulshan Kassamali Jiwa Family, and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for the Environment.

28/10/2025

Air pollution in South Asia is cutting lives short — by up to five years. The University of Chicago’s Air Quality Life Index (AQLI, 2024) reveals a sobering truth: every breath comes at a cost.

See how ➤ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6V0_aWKW_aRguBju9Ow1OF6k4-wN5rJ2&si=9fQwSZ8yWVmDTsX0

Voices from the Roof of the World (VRW) is a joint initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network agencies: Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation, and the University of Central Asia — made possible with the support of Ross Beaty, the Jenabai Hussainali Shariff Family, the Sitka Foundation, Gulshan Kassamali Jiwa Family, and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for the Environment.

24/10/2025

The majestic Himalayas provide water for a staggering 1.65 BILLION PEOPLE.

As detailed in UNDP’s Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment (ICIMOD, 2019), that’s nearly a quarter of the world relying on one vulnerable mountain range for survival. When the glaciers melt, who pays the price?

Explore their story ➤ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6V0_aWKW_aRguBju9Ow1OF6k4-wN5rJ2&si=9fQwSZ8yWVmDTsX0

Voices from the Roof of the World (VRW) is a joint initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network agencies: Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation, and the University of Central Asia — made possible with the support of Ross Beaty, the Jenabai Hussainali Shariff Family, the Sitka Foundation, Gulshan Kassamali Jiwa Family, and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for the Environment.

23/10/2025

Smog season in Punjab isn’t just about poor visibility — it’s a public health emergency.
In Dawn News’ latest feature, experts Dr. Zafar Fatmi and Dr. Muhammad Irfan discuss the alarming rise in respiratory diseases and the urgent need for cleaner air policies.

Their message echoes the reality captured in “The Colour of Smog”, an episode of Voices from the Roof of the World, showing how pollution is transforming life across South Asia’s cities.

🎥 Watch the Dawn feature: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAHZP4EBfBI
🌍 Watch VRW’s The Colour of Smog: https://youtu.be/g7TCK7EkIMs?si=0W9eqIAC8mBqhJUG

VRW is a joint initiative of the Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation, and the University of Central Asia — made possible with support from Ross Beaty, the Sitka Foundation, Gulshan Kassamali Jiwa Family, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for the Environment, and the Jenabai Hussainali Shariff Family.

22/10/2025

Without water, roots of life are torn apart. Villages disappear and traditions with them.

Watch the full story here:
https://youtu.be/iOX6DMJObHc?si=Nm-t4il1U8_UuUSy

VRW is a joint initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network agencies: Aga Khan
University, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation, and the University of Central
Asia — made possible with the support of Ross Beaty, the Jenabai Hussainali Shariff Family, the Sitka Foundation, Gulshan Kassamali Jiwa Family, and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for the Environment.

Address

Website

https://www.aku.edu/vrw/Pages/home.aspx

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Voices from the Roof of the World posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Voices from the Roof of the World:

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?

Country:

City: