International DevelopmentWritten evidence submitted by Afghan Council U.K
We will like to take this opportunity to thank your hard work, trust and support that you have shown towards Afghan Council U.K.
Afghan council U.K is a strong organisation that was established in 2000 and in the 12 years has delivered to the Afghan community and other communities. Our organisation is a non-political non-religious charity that works for the interest of society and you have helped us achieve this through your generous hard work and input.
Afghan council will also like to thank the ministry of defence for the soldiers that sacrificed their lives for the peace in Afghanistan and also we credit the work done by British Parliament in the improvements of Afghan democracy and making Afghanistan a safer place. Your hard work will never be forgotten by Afghanistan and you will be remembered in the rebuilding of Afghanistan.
Regarding our idea after the year 2014 we will like to achieve in two different sections:
1. The UK
Young Afghan Professionals to take active part in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. As many young Afghans need to help in the rebuilding of their country but sadly this opportunity is missing. I have requested from FCO and DFID several times to give opportunities to go back Afghan Professionals to Afghanistan to help rebuild Afghanistan. 120 young Afghan professionals from different regions of Afghanistan study in the U.K. Form example other country Global Village 2012 in Jerusalem.
We need urgent support for Afghan council U.K or we will lose our strong organisation.
During our 12 years we applied for funding which were mainly rejected as they do not wish to fund in Britain but fund in Afghanistan which is wrong and we will like to change that as we apply for grants for the interest of Afghans in the UK.
During our 12 years we applied for funding which were mainly rejected as they do not wish to fund in Britain but fund in Afghanistan which is wrong and we will like to change that as we apply for grants for the interest of Afghans in the UK.
Many Afghan students in the U.K prolong their stay which is wrong.
We need an Afghan culture centre.
We organise Afghan sub committee which consists of young Afghan professionals from different regions of Afghanistan, we work with the department of international future development, every two months.
We will like to broadcast to Afghans TV (Tomorrow) in Afghanistan and the UK to create a bridge between Afghan society and British society and to have a channel non-religious and non-political as the media is currently controlled by the mujahedeen (landlords).
2. Afghanistan
We will like the British embassy in Afghanistan to provide visas rather than Afghans going to Pakistan or Dubai to receive a visa which causes severe problems for Afghans and the border agencies.
The language training for British soldiers are old fashioned and needs to be modernised. As soldiers need to know and understand the culture of Afghanistan and we are happily willing to work with MoD or other training groups.
After 2014 the British government should focus on three things:
(1)
(2)
(3)
We suggest to British Council and Parliament APPG and DIFD to have cultural and arts exchanges with Afghanistan for exhibitions, film festivals, music, and arts etc.
British government and DFID has held and spent a lot of money for projects in Afghanistan unfortunately they did not share or create any partnership with charities and organisations that support Afghanistan including Afghan council U.K which is wrong.
We want to support DIFD and other organisations in monitoring their work in Afghanistan; we will carry research by taking images interviews and filming, how it has or hasn’t affected their lives of Afghans.
We want to organise Afghan and Pakistani Youth conference in the future either held in Afghanistan Pakistan or the UK we believe that this has not happened before as we believe that the involvement of both countries is important.
Through our broadcasting we would like to change the stereotype decision between Afghanistan and Pakistan and break the cold war between the two countries for this we will need a broadcasting station from the UK. This will be broadcasted in Afghanistan.
We must work together to stop corruption in Afghanistan as it will be a disgrace to both Afghanistan and Britain as people will percept that Britain has caused more corruption, also in my last interview in the voice of America we said “corruption is more dangerous than opium and Helmand.”
The government representatives at high levels in Afghanistan do not spend money on developing Afghanistan rather it is spend on luxurious goods abroad for themselves and we must fully ensure what every penny is spent correctly and freeze their bank accounts.
Many posts and jobs in Afghanistan Parliament are repeatedly given to the same ministers for over a decade, it’s like there are mini Gaddafi’s in Afghanistan. Opportunities to others should be given.
Regarding Taliban, we must negotiate with them and make strong peace treaties with their leaders and for them to share economical and political power.
Afghan Council U.K is proud to have a strong relationship with the Government department including British Parliament during these 12 years. We know that the role of British government and troops will have an important role in the year 2014 and we are the stronger supporter of the long term strategic agreement between Afghanistan and the U.K which is signed by the leader of two countries and we will never forget British army members who sacrificed their lives for Afghanistan and they will be remembered by young Afghans.
September 2012