By Daud Saba
January-March 2000
Lemar-Aftaab
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The Afghanistan Peace Association (APA) presented a symposium on
"Exploring Sustainable Peace & Development in Afghanistan" on Saturday,
November 13, 1999. More than one hundred Afghans and non-Afghans |
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[click on images to view larger photos]
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gathered
in the United Nations Church Center in New York City for the presentation.
APA emphasizes the important links in the redevelopment of
Afghanistan. This includes older generation Afghans in exile and the
younger generation of Afghans familiar with both Afghan and Western
culture. APA sponsored the event with the participation of NGO's,
scholars, specialists and activists who have insights into the future of
Afghanistan.
Rameen J. Moshref, Master of Ceremony, introduced the symposium's program,
and Dr. Dawer A. Nadi, President of APA, welcomed the guests.
Dr. Nadi stated that the ongoing peace talks between the
Taliban and the opposing factions in Afghanistan sets the stage for a new
political development: "This is the moment for new 'discourse of care and
concern' to come from the Afghan communities on practical realities facing
Afghanistan and the region."
The symposium was a stepping stone for Afghan people who lived in
democratic societies to promote and encourage democratic and peaceful
reform in the Afghan communities. Scholars from different fields of
expertise presented research papers on a wide range of issues. The topics
discussed ranged from environment, landmines, and religious institutions
to the problems that Afghan women face today.
The symposium was structured into five panel sessions:
Opening Session, Panel I: "Facing Realities" moderated by Mr. Enayatullah
Nabil.
- Daud Saba presented "Afghans' Natural Heritage: Problems,
Perspectives, & Sustainability".
In the past few years, compared to the armed conflicts, the environment
of Afghanistan has a higher toll. Environmental issues must be addressed
immediately for the sake of the country.
- Azarakhsh Hafizi presented in Dari "What is the Current Situation
among Afghan Communities?"
The presentation was a historical account of the events leading to today's
conflicts among Afghan communities.
- Prof. Zaman S. Stanizai presented "Shifting Paradigms in the
Ethno-Linguistic Mosaic of Afghanistan: A Socio-Political Analysis".
The past two decades, external factors play a major role in creating and
enhancing conflicts in the Afghan ethno-linguistic differences.
Panel II: "Strengths of the Afghan Society" moderated by Dr. Sona Rom.
- Dr. Salah Keshawarz presented "The Role of Afghan Exiles &
Intellectuals in the Process of Nation-Building. Who and Where are they?"
Using data from other exiles in the world, Dr. Keshawarz emphasized the
positive role that Afghan exiles could play in bringing peace and
development in Afghanistan.
- Helena Malikyar presented "The Role of Women in the Future Peace &
Institution Building Processes in Afghanistan".
Her lecture on the role of Afghan women based on teachings of the holy
Quran created much interest and discussions.
- Rameen J. Moshref presented "The Importance of the Younger Generation
of Afghans as a Development Factor".
His findings demand a change in the past views toward the younger
generation and its role in the Afghan patriarchal society.
Panel III: "Challenges of Afghan Society" moderated by Helena Malikyar.
- Dr. Senzil Nawid presented "The Role of Traditional Religious
Institutions in the Afghan History," which gave a historical perspective
on Afghan religious traditions.
- Dr. Ian Mansfield's paper "The Role of Landmine Clearance in
Socio-Economical Development of Afghanistan" gave an account of all existing problems and activities exercised by the United Nation's in this arena.
- Dr. Anwar al-Haq Ahady presented "Is Democracy Suitable for Afghans".
This topic is a controversial issue among different spectrums of the Afghan society.
Closing Session: Panel IV: "The Next Five Years" moderated by Rameen Moshref.
- Dr. Ved Pratab Vaidik presented "Indian Perspectives on Afghanistan in
the Backdrop of Regional Politics," an optimistic view on the future of
Afghanistan. His journalistic memoirs of the Afghan leaders in the past three decades were engaging and controversial.
- Mathew Fielden's presentation "The Role of NGO's in Local Peace
Building in the post-Soviet Afghan Conflict" emphasized the positive aspects of NGO's activities in Afghanistan.
- Ms. Stanizai spoke on the "Psychological Problems of Afghans."
Round Table: Panel V: "Is Peace Possible" moderated by Rameen J. Moshref,
Enayetullah Nabil and Dr. Sona Rom.
- Many debates and discussions took place in the panel.
The symposium ended with closing remarks by Dr. Nadi. Following the
program, all audience members attended the warm Afghan style reception at
Cafe Kabul in midtown Manhattan. Delicious Afghan cuisine and friendly
discussions filled the atmosphere. The reception party ended with the
oration of Dari and Pashto poems by well-known Afghan poets: Azarakhsh
Hafizi, Zaman Stanizai, Razeq Faani and others.
In the past decade, Afghans have witnessed many conferences. Yet the
question remained: why do Afghans still have to come together in search of
peace after all these years of presenting conferences?
However, this symposium marked the first step towards a better understanding of the root
problems that face Afghanistan and how to resolve those problems. If APA
continues to distance itself from common bureaucratic methods of Afghan
problem solving, namely elite strategies that offer tangible resolutions,
perhaps problems that face Afghanistan will be resolved faster and more
efficiently.
About the Author:
Daud Saba
Other work by Daud Saba:
