Issue No. 2, April-June 2009 Foreword One of the main focuses of UNESCO in Afghanistan is to promote peace and security throughh the enhancement of Education, Culture, Communication and Information interventions. As it is stated in the Preamble to the UNESCO constitution, That since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed, UNESCO works to promote peace by cultivating its foundations in the mindset of peoples throughout the world through programmes in Education, Culture, Science and Communication. Afghanistan is one of the least developed countries in the context of literacy. Only 34% of the population are benefiting from the ability to read and write. To respond to this challenge, UNESCO has assisted the Afghan Government to develop the National Education Strategy Plan (NESP 2006-2010) to build the framework for Afghan Government and International community for coordinated and improved educational activities. A literate and educated population can contribute better to the process of peace building and reconstruction in the country. For Afghanistan also, the cultural heritage can play a vital role in developing a sense of national unity, cohesion and mutual understanding within linguistically and ethnically diverse social groups. Thus, preserving the cultural heritage has been a priority for UNESCO to contribute to the state building process, peace and security. The International Peace Day on September 21 st is a good opportunity around the world and especially in Afghanistan, to think on the importance of peace for all social, political, cultural and economic development. UNESCO Kabul firmly believes in the strength and role that cultural diversity can play in helping to create a sustainable, progressive society and directs its activities towards this goal in Afghanistan. Shigeru Aoyagi, Director and UNESCO Representativee to Afghanistan UNESCO Kabul Newsletter UNESCO School girls demonstrate to support peace in Bamiyan, central province of Afghanistan- September 2007 In this issue: Page 2: Supporting the strategic planning Page 3: Community ba vulnerable women and youth Page 4: The pilot phase Bamiyan Page 5-6: World Herita Page 7: Working for th museum sector Page 8: Educational Ra Afghanistan Page 9: Supporting Me IPDC e higher education sed program to reach e of ELA program in age site of Bamiyan he development of the adio and Television of edia outlet through
Education Supporting the Higher Education Strategic Planning Afghanistan, which had one of the best higher education systems in the region, has during the last thirty years been devastated by a sequence of conflicts and civil wars involving both internal and external protagonists. Outdated curricula, under-qualified faculty, dilapidated buildings, lack of proper classrooms and laboratories, under resourced libraries and the lack of state-ofthe-art information technology are some of the acute and pressing problems faced by the higher education sector. The country has begun the process of reopening and rebuilding its universities but the capacities of current institutions are limited and cannot meet the overwhelming demands for access from an increasing number of high school graduates. In 2008, some 50 000 students comprised the enrolment of the higher education sector. It is estimated that there will be 100,000 high school graduates by 2010 and 1 million by 2014. The Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS), which serves as PRSP at country level, is addressing the needs of higher education sector with a focus as well on skills development. In the framework of the ANDS, the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) with joint support from MOHE/ Batool Mr. Mohammad Azam Dadfar (M) the Minister and Officials of the Ministry of Higher Education in the session to review the Ministry Strategic Plan for the next five years- June 2009 UNESCO and World Bank has embarked on developing its National Higher Education Strategic Plan (NHESP) for the next five years. UNESCO is providing technical support to the MoHE focusing on policy analysis and planning. Marina Patrier, UNESCO Kabul Education Programme Specialist believes that the new strategic plan will be a critical tool for better coordination with universities and development partners as well as for funds mobilization. With the progress made in enrolment rates in Basic and Secondary Education during the past 6 years, providing quality higher education is an urgent challenge. The Ministry of Higher Education though its national strategic plan aims to facilitate access to higher education, establish innovative institutions, produce graduates of quality to contribute to economic growth, social development, nation building and stability of Afghanistan. The NHESP will address these challenges by focusing on two main programs: Educate and train skilled graduates to meet the socio-economic development needs of Afghanistan ; and Lead and manage a coordinated system of higher education comprising universities, institutes and colleges. 2 UNESCO Kabul Newsletter-2 nd issue, April-June 2009
Education Community based program to reach vulnerable women and youth Since 2008, UNESCO is supporting HIV Basic Education Programs Education and Literacy Program the Nejat Centre through a European Commission funded program "Reducing Harm from Drug Use" aiming particularly at improving the quality of life of marginalized populations with a specific focus on women and youth in Kharabad (Old city of Kabul), who are at high risk of drug use and HIV infection. The main activities focus on care treatment, awareness on drug and HIV&AIDS; basic literacy education; guidance and counseling; and vocational training. Women Vocational Training Program 44 women trainees from the Kharabad community have participated in a vocational training programme and were rewarded with a certificate of completion. NEJAT has a short course for two months, which includes tailoring, embroidery and purse making. The outcome of participating in the course is twofold; building self esteem among women regarding their sense of self worth and capabilities, as well as their prowess in income generation activities. Private, external buyers of the garments and purses the women make generate income for themselves. During the reporting period, awareness programmes have been carried out with the total of 10,529 people: 4575 women, 2350 children and 3604 men in different areas of the Old City. The beneficiaries are among the families vulnerable to drug misuse, youths in the Kharabat community, youths who normally dropped out of schools, as well as treated women. Community based discussions by social workers, counselors and community liaison officers regarding the dangers of drug use, HIV & AIDS, Hepatitis B, C, as well as benefits of sanitation and personal hygiene are highlighted. Nejat Center/Mr. Fatah A trainee in Nejat Center learning embroidery A literacy programme is being conducted with the total of 26 beneficiaries in two shifts in the mornings and afternoons. Moreover, courses are offered for youth, including 15 boys and 11 girls in basic literacy along with motivation to return to formal schooling. A great emphasis is placed on raising awareness among the youths parents in relation to the importance of education through which NEJAT encourages them to send their children to schools. In addition, sports and recreation activities i.e. chess, carom board and regular exercises are also encouraged and provided as a motivating factor to engage young people and to build self esteem. UNESCO Kabul Newsletter-2 nd issue, April-June 2009 3
Education The Pilot phase of ELA project in Bamiyan UNESCO/ J.Hjarrand Female Literacy learners at the initial six months of ELA literacy program in Bamiyan Of course this programme is causing changes for these women. Otherwise, they wouldn t be here, stated a confident literacy facilitator over a lunchtime discussion during a recent workshop in Bamyan. She continued by telling a story of a female learner she knew, participating in the Programme for Enhancement of Literacy in Afghanistan (ELA): the woman who didn t have to spend all day at the hospital, ashamed that she didn t know what number was hers in the queue or women who now know how to read basic information about their children s medicine. One of the most powerful messages was this, spoken by an elder in the class who is also a member of the Community Development Council (CDC), a position that her participation in ELA helped her to secure: The men are changing their behavior now too. Before, they didn t think that women had the right to learn, the right to go out of the house. Now the men are coming to (ELA) classes. They are changing because they understand the value of education. My husband didn t allow me to become a member of the CDC before, but now he has supported me, and I am a member. Literacy is a key factor in the empowerment of women, and their development is vital to the overall progress and development of a nation. This is partly due to the role women play in the family. Many studies have acknowledged that educated women mean healthier and happier children. The changes that often take place in the initial stages of literacy programming, such as those testified to here, may not be staggering, but vitally important to achieve progress. Taken together, these stories of progress constitute the core of ELA and other literacy programmes: independence, self-confidence, spill over into support for children s education, community mobilization and empowerment - the casting away of an attitude of learned helplessness - shying away from taking initiative and waiting for others to provide for you. The Bamiyan Pilot Project of ELA, which began in November 2008, has completed the initial 6 months of basic literacy and is now moving into the 3 months of post literacy. Initial results from oral and written tests at the conclusion of the basic literacy showed achievement in all literacy skills for the learners. Post literacy will further integrate learners into the learning process, and it will require more group work and community interaction to complete lessons. Facilitators recently received 3 days of intensive training on using the post literacy materials in combination with active learning methods and to identify community resources to be used as supplementary learning materials. Facilitators and supervisors left the training excited and eager to put their new skills into practice. Upon returning to their village eager students are waiting for the next round of learning. 4 UNESCO Kabul Newsletter-2 nd issue, April-June 2009
Culture The two standing Buddha statues destroyed by the Taliban in 2001 in Bamiyan caused great international outrage and consternation. The act was globally criticized; UNESCO s Director- General qualifying it as a crime against culture. World Heritage Site of Bamiyan Following its inscription on the World Heritage List In 2003, UNESCO embarked on a comprehensive programme for the conservation of the Bamiyan site, and to that end has gathered an interdisciplinary team of international experts to consolidate the Buddha cliffs and niches, document and preserve the Buddha fragments and mural paintings and to support the Afghan authorities in regulating infrastructure development in the valley to preserve it for future generations. While there is much debate about the possible reconstruction of the two Buddha statues, the UNESCO project, funded by Japan, does not aim to reconstruct these, but rather focuses on urgent conservation measures and the protection of as much of the heritage of Bamiyan as possible. The project, which has now entered its third phase of implementation, will also enable the international experts and Afghan authorities to determine possible technical options for the future use of the Buddha fragments, based on international conservation standards, thereby supporting the Afghan government in taking its decision in the future. UNESCO/E. Rasuli UNESCO/E. Rasuli UNESCO/E. Rasuli UNESCO/E. Rasuli UNESCO/E. Rasuli UNESCO Kabul Newsletter-2 nd issue, April-June 2009 5
Culture Demining Project UNESCO began a pilot project in 2008 to de-mine the historical and archaeological sites within the Bamiyan World Heritage site in cooperation with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the United Nations Mine Action Centre in Afghanistan (UNMACA), Afghan Technical Consultant (ATC),the Ministry of Information and Culture and the Governor s Office. The project focused on Shar-i- Gholgholah in particular, but has been extended in 2009 to include Shar-i-Zohak and the top of the Giant Buddha cliff. The project aims to clear safe pathways for controlled access by the general public and by experts involved in conservation and archaeological research into the future. Emergency conservation work has already begun in some of the recently cleared areas and historic buildings that remained in danger for many years due to the hazardous presence of mines and UXOs. So far, approximately 25 percent of the total area to be cleared at all the sites has been completed and UNESCO and its implementing partners hope to complete the work by the end of 2009. In addition and in the course of de-mining activities, many archaeological objects have been recovered from both sites and these are being scientifically documented and stored for possible future exhibition.iyan Museum which is planned for construction as part of the stragec framework for the development of the museum sector in Afghanistan and as a component of the sustainable development of the World Heritage site in Bamiyan. MoIC Bamiyan Working Group on Development In order to contribute to the formulation of sustainable social and economic development policies in Bamiyan, UNESCO is participating in the Bamiyan Working Group on Development meetings organized under the leadership of the Ministry of Economy and the Bamiyan Governor. In this framework, UNESCO is providing policy advice to the Afghan authorities to ensure that the necessary development of the valley does not adversely effect the protection of the cultural resources that are among the very rare assets of the valley to ensure the long-term development of the province. UNESCO promotes the sustainable use of heritage resourcesarchaeological sites, historical monuments and the cultural landscape of Bamiyan- so that these resources can be used as both a record of the history and culture of Afghanistan and as income generators in the context of a sustainable cultural tourism into the future. The last meeting was held in Bamiyan on 10 and 11 June 2009. UNESCO/S. Khakzad 6 UNESCO Kabul Newsletter-2 nd issue, April-June 2009
Culture Working for the development of the museum sector National Museum UNESCO/E. Rasuli National Museum The Kabul National Museum destroyed Kabul National Museum after A Kabul Museum professional during the three decades of war- 2001 reconstruction- 2008 restores damaged artifacts. The museum sector in Afghanistan can make a fundamental contribution to peace and state-building through the promotion of a positive discourse about cross-cultural understanding and the respect for cultural diversity. Museum collections and their interpretation can play such a crucial role by acting as a platform for a clear understanding of where a nation has come from and where it has the potential to go to through a well-designed arrangement of its exhibitions. UNESCO shares this goal with the Department of Museums in Afghanistan and is helping the museum sector move towards this strategic objective. After the collapse of the Taliban regime in December 2001, UNESCO has supported the National Museum of Afghanistan (Kabul Museum) with the help of donor countries like the USA, France, the UK, Greece, Japan, Austria, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. The main focus of the initial program was on inventory of the collections and training and capacity-building activities for the conservation and restoration of cultural and historical objects by national experts. Together with the participating NGOs, international experts and the Ministry of Information and Culture, UNESCO continues its support for the Museum and plans to continue sustainable and coordinated activities into the future. In this context, UNESCO organized a one-week training from 17 to 23 May 2009 for 20 museum professionals from the National UNESCO/M. Amin Sadiqi Museum of Afghanistan in Kabul as well as, for the first time, representatives from provincial museums in Balkh, Bamiyan, Herat, Kapisa, Kandahar, Khost, Logar, Ningahar and Parwan. The training addressed a broad range of issues concerning museum management, with a specific focus on preventive conservation, documentation/inventorying, risk-preparedness and security, museum education and visitors. A participant in the UNESCO training receives his certificate-kabul, May 2009 UNESCO Kabul Newsletter-2 nd issue, April-June 2009 7
Communication and Information Educational Radio and Television of Afghanistan (ERTV) Since 2004, UNESCO with the USD 2.5 million financial support of the Government of the Italy, has renovated the Educational Radio and Television of Afghanistan (ERTV) building, and also has revitalized the technical capability of the only educational broadcaster of the country. The first three years of the project focused on infrastructure rehabilitation and refurbishing required Radio and Television studio equipments. UNESCO has undertaken capacity building programme for the Afghan teachers and broadcasters as part of producing educational materials. Trainings were conducted both in-house and overseas including Malaysia, India and Pakistan to increase the staff s capacity on technical aspects of Radio and Television productions. regular radio and television production. Since early 2007 the Distance learning initiative component was added to the project objectives/activities within the National Educational Strategic Plan (NESP) of Ministry of Education. Since then, along with other activities, the project has focused on producing a series of quality Radio and Television programs on distance education. The produced programs reach to teachers in provinces via Multimedia Mobile Units (MMUs) that UNESCO has provided to Teacher Education Department (TED) of Ministry of Education. According to the available census, 90 per cent of women and 63 per cent of men in rural areas of Afghanistan, where the large majority of Afghans live, are illiterate and almost half of the school aged children are out of school. Given the mountainous landscape and the difficulties many people face in getting education, distance education via radio and TV programs is seen as a key vehicle to improve literacy and access to information in remote areas of Afghanistan. To further support the ERTV and to build on the expertise developed so far, UNESCO has submitted a one year bridge proposal to the Government of Italy with the main focus on audio visual support to teacher training in Afghanistan. The project is expected to be approved by August 2009. Mr. Safiullah, Zeer the ERTV Director appreciates UNESCO and the Italian Government s assistance and says When the Taliban s regime collapsed, we had nothing. Our building was a ruin and some remaining staff were working in Radio and Television of Afghanistan (RTA) or in the Ministry of Education building- now we have our own UNESCO/M. Amin Sadiqi The cameraman in ERTV records an in-studio educational program-december 2008 8 UNESCO Kabul Newsletter-2 nd issue, April-June 2009
Communication and Information Nai Supporting Afghanistan Open Media UNESCO/M. Amin Sadiqi Supporting Media outlet through IPDC UNESCO supports Nai Supporting Afghanistan Open Media through the International Program for Development of Communication and Information (IPDC). Nai is an Afghan non-profit local organization dedicated to bring professionalism and quality into the Afghan media sector through training and policy advocacy. Nai also provides assistance, protection and support for journalists who are threatened and prosecuted in the normal practice of their professional work and publishes a monthly Media Watch report Newsletter and Biweekly radio Programs, on which such incidents are recorded and publicized for further tracking. By supporting Nai through IPDC Program, UNESCO aims to increase understanding and participation in the democratic process and strengthen the role of the media in campaigning for greater press freedom and independence. Since September 2008, 190 journalists have been trained from different media outlets and provinces on news presenting, reporting and interviewing skills. Nai also runs a radio station in which trainees practically participate in-studio news radio production. UNESCO Trainees at the Nai Supporting Afghanistan Open Media working on radio news production UNESCO/M. Amin Sadiqi Supporting Roz magazine A group of interested women with the common goal to promote women s participation in social and political affairs have set up the Roz monthly magazine which is one of the few publications around the country dedicated to women s issues. UNESCO, through IPDC, supports the magazine to improve its quality and to become self-sufficient. Different social, political, economic and literary topics are covered by the magazine. UNESCO Kabul Newsletter-2 nd issue, April-June 2009 9
UNESCO/S. Habibullah A peace based exclusively upon the political and economic arrangements of governments would not be a peace which could secure the unanimous, lasting and sincere support of the peoples of the world, and that the peace must therefore be founded, if it is not to fail, upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind Preamble to UNESCO Constitution For further information please contact: Mohammad Amin Sadiqi-Public Information Officer Phone: +93 (0) 799125292 E-mail: a.sadiqi@unesco.org Website: http://www.unesco.org/kabul 10 UNESCO Kabul Newsletter-2 nd issue, April-June 2009