Elizabeth Gamarra

DTP alumna Elizabeth Katherine Gamarra works as a researcher at the Peace Research Institute in Tokyo and serves as Board of Director for the Global Peacebuilding Association of Japan (GPAJ). She was one of the youngest international members to join the senior board in 2019.

As a Fulbright Scholar, Rotary Peace Fellow, and a two-time TEDx speaker, Elizabeth became a participant in DTP’s 30th Annual Regional Human Rights and Peoples Diplomacy Training Program in Bangkok in January 2023. Now, she is preparing for the Y20 Summit in Varanasi, India as a U.S delegate in the peacebuilding track, a prestigious opportunity given to only five young professionals in the country. She hopes to apply what she has learned in DTP to the negotiations in India.

Born in Peru, raised in the U.S, Elizabeth’s multicultural background, and past work with Amnesty International USA as an activist coordinator and Fulbright lecturer at IE University, shaped her worldview and inspired her passion for advocating for human rights. These experiences instilled in her a deep sense of empathy and a commitment to the field of peacebuilding and reconciliation.

Her commitment to peacebuilding and human rights is deeply rooted in her personal values and principles. Drawing inspiration from the ancient teachings of the Incas, she lives by the motto “don’t steal, don’t lie, and don’t be lazy.” For her, these principles translate into collaboration, honesty, and effective time management in tackling the world’s challenges.

Elizabeth is highly appreciative of DTP training.

“Participating in DTP training program was a crucial turning point in my career. I gained valuable tools and connections that have enhanced my work in human rights and peacebuilding. I also learned about the different unique challenges that many countries across the Asia Pacific region face, which helped me put into perspective the role of Japan”.

Elizabeth says the DTP training was truly transformative. Having participated in numerous trainings and fellowships, she found DTP to be a standout program.

“Participating in the Diplomacy Training Program (DTP) was truly life-changing for me. The people involved in the program were the highlight for me—they were not only good-hearted individuals but also passionate about the issues they advocated for. DTP went beyond superficial discussions and delved deep into various topics, which was especially valuable for someone like me coming from a research-oriented organization.”

Elizabeth says that DTP training gave her a one-of-a-kind human rights family. As a result of these meaningful connections, she has been able to become a liaison between her DTP cohort and her organisation’s online seminars, discussions, forums and (hybrid) conferences making such platforms and spaces more open and accessible.

“Japan, which has become my second home for the past couple of years, has long been recognized as a strong advocate for human rights, demonstrating a commitment to promoting equality and justice. However, like any society, it faces its own unique set of challenges in this domain. Therefore, it was an absolute honor to shed light on these complexities and contribute to a deeper understanding of the human rights landscape in Japan.”

Reflecting on her own journey, Elizabeth believes that as Neil Strauss once said, “great things never come from comfort zone.” Looking ahead, Elizabeth envisions a multifaceted path for herself and strongly believes that the person one becomes in the process of achieving his or her goals is as important as the end result.

Elizabeth looks forward to deepening her relationships built at the DTP program and leading by example. Hence, she looks forward to build an active alumni network in Tokyo for those in the field of human rights.