Afghan Peace needs a Public Space
June 23, 2009 by
Filed under Journey Updates
Our Journey to Smile Peace Meeting at Bamiyan University 18/6/2009
Last Thursday, 18th of June 2009, a group of 50 Afghan youth gathered at Bamiyan University to discuss peace in their country, Afghanistan.
After a brief review of their 160+ years of wars, beginning with the first Anglo-Afghan War in 1839, the youth had discussions in groups and collated the following points (NOT in order of importance) under the following 2 topics.
What kind of peace do Afghan youth want?
- Peace that is just, transparent, close and personal
- Peace that is united, fraternal and equal
- Peace that is the same for all, including for both gender
- Peace that is from the Koran
- Peace without discrimination
- Peace that empathizes with and accepts everyone
- Peace that removes pride and selfishness
- Peace that arises among the people of Afghanistan
- Peace that is a culture nurtured by the civil society of Afghanistan
- Peace that is Islamic
- Peace that has no foreign interference
Action Plan for peace in Afghanistan
The participants discussed and collated the suggested action plan to bring peace to Afghanistan. These suggested actions were put to the vote. The 50 participants were each given a maximum of 3 votes for the actions they thought they could most likely implement effectively.
|
Suggested Actions for Peace in Afghanistan |
Number of Votes |
|
1. Development of Afghan civil society |
12 |
|
2. Relations between people of Afghanistan and the government |
15 |
|
3. Peace publications and media |
20 |
|
4. Pooling of Bamiyan youth for peace |
8 |
|
5. Getting peace volunteers from other provinces |
4 |
|
6. Establishing a peace council / core group |
23 |
|
7.Organizing peace education workshops |
24 |
|
8. Organizing public campaigns for peace awareness |
10 |
|
9. Programs for balanced development |
12 |
|
10.Development of Bamiyan Peace Park |
16 |
The top 3 suggested actions were adopted as the next steps towards peace which the youth will take. They were
- Organizing peace education workshops
- Establishing a peace council / core group
- Peace publications and media
The youth participants were encouraged to hear about the small steps taken at Bamiyan Peace Park.
It had been proposed to the Bamiyan Peace Committee ( headed by the Bamiyan Provincial Governor ) that the Bamiyan Peace Park be built by the local Bamiyan communities, spearheaded by Bamiyan youth.
Last June, no work had yet been done and Bamiyan Peace Park looked dismal and raw.
In September 2008, youth volunteers came together to level some agricultural soil on the park grounds. The Governor inaugurated the start of the park’s development.
This year, Bamiyan Peace Park has taken on an initial shape, with grass growing and roses too!
All ordinary Afghans are tired of war and want peace.
Afghan peace needs a Public Space
A Public Space to grow.
A Public Space to grieve.
A Public Space to forgive.
A Public Space to be kind.
A Public Space to struggle.
Follow-up meeting of Youth Peace Core Group on 21/6/2009
On 21/6/2009, a small group of Bamiyan University participants met again to follow up on the decisions. They included Munis, Zebiullah, Reza, Zahra, Shir Agha and Mir Aqa. Qorban, Ali Dad, Mohammad Ewaz and Salim were absent with apologies.
The students agreed on the following :
Objective : To bring peace to Afghanistan and beyond, starting in Bamiyan
- Peace Action Workshop on the 2/7/2009
More youth and civil society groups will be invited.
A Bamiyan Youth Peace Resolution will be prepared to be signed by youth.
Effort will be made to place benches at the Peace Park ( the group will explore collecting donations from Bamiyan University students)
- Peace Publications and media
A start will be made through posters, pamphlets or brochures.
- Peace Council / core group
It was decided that the few students present would suffice as a Core Group with Our Journey to Smile.
