Leaders seek ways to engage Afghan diaspora as NATO mission winds down

WASHINGTON, May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Representatives from government, non-profits and the private sector met during the first day of iDEA's Global Diaspora Forum at USAID headquarters to explore ways of engaging Afghan diaspora in the rebuilding of the country as the NATO mission in Afghanistan winds down.

Representing many of the key organizations that have worked in Afghanistan over the last decade building civil institutions, infrastructure and markets, the attendees met to outline what they have learned and what they think will have the greatest value and success in helping Afghanistan expand its democratic and market-based society.

The breakout session, called "Building bridges with the Afghan people: Engagement for prosperity in the new Afghanistan" focused not only on how Afghan diaspora might help continue the advances already made, but also in continuing the struggle to provide opportunity and protections for women and children in this fledgling democratic society.

"Today's discussion is about initiatives that link exemplary leadership in public and private sectors with Afghan women and children to increase economic empowerment. This is the kind of 'bridge-building' that Afghan women and children will need moving forward and a practice that the Government of Afghanistan strives to sustain," said Mr. Abdul Hakim Atarud, Consular Counselor of the Afghan Embassy in Washington, DC.

Hosted by the Bayat Foundation, Roots of Peace and League for Hope through the joint Afghan Trusted Network project, the meeting was an effort to record the best practices of those assembled and identify ways of harnessing diaspora as a leverage point for projects and programs which promise the greatest value and progress in the coming decade.

"First generation Afghan diaspora have contributed significantly to the U.S. and Afghan societies including 'Kite-Runner' author Khaled Hussaini; Hon. Zalmay Khalizad, former US Ambassador to the UN, Iraq, and Afghanistan; Dr. Ashraf Ghani, Cal University president Mohammad Qyoumi; and Afghan-Wireless Communications Company founder Hon. Ehsan Bayat," said Ajmal Ghani A., Afghanistan Business Council chairman. 

Sponsored by PAE and co-sponsored by DAI, NC4 and Technologists, Inc., the meeting brought together leaders from ACDI/VOCA, Afghan Women Leaders Connect, bPeace, Bush Institute, Creative Associates, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Foundation for Afghanistan, Friends of AUAF, JFAO, Nooristan Foundation, Office of the US Trade Representative, TSI, US Department of State, Twenty Four Suns, US Navy Joint Staff, Global Management Challenge USA, and Wyatt Consulting Group International.

Each of the participating organizations has been invited into the Afghan Trusted Network, a public/private partnership created in 2009 to help improve the lives and livelihoods of the people of Afghanistan. 

Contact:  Rosalie J. Wyatt, Director, Afghan Trusted Network, [email protected] 

SOURCE League for Hope