NCPR's
Cooperation with the Kabul University
NCPR, the partner of
KAS has decided to sponsor the Scientific Magazine of Kabul University.
Two published issues of this magazine were financed by NCPR, and the
issues which will be published after every two months will also be
sponsored by NCPR.
NCPR
has Published his Research Project 2008
The
research project 2008 of the Social Sciences Department ‘‘The Criteria
of Sustainable Peace in Afghanistan” is published. This policy research
has observed the causes of insecurity in order to find out the solutions
and to seek for a sustainable peace in the society. The suggestions
and comments are presented for the involved authorities and policy
makers.
Peace
Education Workshop
The Peace Studies Department of the National Centre
for Policy Research (NCPR) with the cooperation of Afghanistan Independent
Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) has conducted a workshop on “Peace
Education and Peace Studies at Universities” with 5 Lecturers and
23 Students from the Social Sciences Faculty of Kabul University.
The workshop was held from 11th to 13th of May 2009. The same workshop
will be held from 18th to 21st of May 2009 in Nengarhar.
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony of the Seminar for Afghan Journalists was held
on 30th April 09 at 2:00 pm in NCPR. Dr. Noor Ebad welcomed the guests
and the participants, subsequently Prof Dr. Ashraf, Advisor to Minister,
Prof. Gharwal and Prof. Wafa, from Journalism Faculty, Mr. Sucker
representative of DW-AKADEMIE and Mr. Abdul Samad, the Program Director
of KAS-Kabul had speeches. At last the participants were awarded the
certificate of attendance. The program was very successful and DW-AKADEMIE
wishes to continue such programs with NCPR in future. The Participant
will have a trip for 3 weeks in May 2009 to visit the European Parliamentarian
Election in Germany
Capacity
Building Seminar for Afghan Journalists
NCPR, Partner der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has held
a seminar on “Presidential Elections – Duties and Responsibilities
of Media” from 20th - 30th of April 2009 in Conference room of NCPR.
This seminar is sponsored by DW-AKADEMIE. There are about 13 Afghan
journalists participated in this seminar and the trainers are the
lecturers of Journalism Faculty of the Kabul University.
Regional Conference on Re-Secure Afghanistan
Some National and International Organizations including NCPR held
a Conference on “Re-Secure Afghanistan” on 20th to 21 st of April
2009 in Kabul. The research project of NCPR “The Criteria of Sustainable
Peace in Afghanistan” which is recently published introduced in this
conference and distribute for participants.
Peace Studies at Higher Education
A 3-days workshop on Peace Building and Education was held at NCPR
in close cooperation with the Afghan International Human Rights Commission
and the Faculty of Education and Psychology (Kabul University, 11-13
April). 24 participants, lecturers and students from these Faculties,
discussed the meaning of conflict and ways of nonviolent conflict
resolution by communication. This Depart-ment is going to follow-up
this seminar by weekly lessons on Peace Education in order to develop
lecturer notes and to establish a Peace Studies Network. This workshop
was funded by Asia Foundation.
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony of the Seminar for Afghan Journalists was held
on 30th April 09 at 2:00 pm in NCPR. Dr. Noor Ebad welcomed the guests
and the participants, subsequently Prof Dr. Ashraf, Advisor to Minister,
Prof. Gharwal and Prof. Wafa, from Journalism Faculty, Mr. Sucker
representative of DW-AKADEMIE and Mr. Abdul Samad, the Program Director
of KAS-Kabul had speeches. At last the participants were awarded the
certificate of attendance. The program was very successful and DW-AKADEMIE
wishes to continue such programs with NCPR in future. The Participant
will have a trip for 3 weeks in May 2009 to visit the European Parliamentarian
Election in Germany.
Participation
of the Head of Peace studies in a Seminar
The Head of Peace Studies Department,
Nicole Birtsch, attended a seminar (Islamabad, 5-8 April) on “Role
of the Civil Society in the G8 Afghanistan-Pakistan Initiative”, which
was organized by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. The discussion of members
of civil society in Afghanistan and Pakistan provided a basis for
the establishing of bilateral ties in civil society especially in
the field of research and academic exchange.
The Country Director of KAS-Kabul visited the NCPR
Dr. Babak Khalatbari the Country Director of KAS in Afghanistan and
Pakistan visited NCPR on 26.03.09. He had a meeting with the senior
staff of NCPR, they discussed about the Democracy Report 2009 and
it was decided that this report should be completed and 5000 heads
shall be interviewed till end of May 2009.
The Ambassador of Federal Republic of Germany visited NCPR
The German Ambassador in Kabul, his Excellency Lauk visited NCPR on
25.03.09. He interested to NCPR’s activities and discussed in this
regard with Dr. Noor Ebad. He also discussed with Ms. Nicole Birstch,
the Head of Peace Studies department activities of her department.
The Participation of NCPR Representative in a Symposium in
Bahrain
The head of Law and Political Sciences department of NCPR, Associate
Prof Hakimi, attended a symposium on Cross Border Security Concerns
for Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan in Manama, Bahrain 23-25 March,
2009, arranged by RUSI (Royal United Services Institute).
Mr. Hakimi presented his paper on ‘’How to Manage the Problems of
Porous Border with Pakistan and Iran’’. The symposium concluded with
proposals of delegations regarding to cross border security.
Participation of NCPR Representative in International Seminar
in New Delhi
Prof. Dr. Alaf Shah Zadran , Social Sciences Department head
of NCPR had a trip to India in order to participate in an International
Seminar “Indigenization of Afghan Reconstruction: Challenges and Opportunities”,
and read his paper. It was organized by Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Institute
of Asian students, Kolkata in collaboration with Jamia Milia Islamia
University of New Delhi. The seminar was for two days (18-19 March).
The focus of the Seminar was on reconstruction, peace building, reconciliation
and security in Afghanistan.
Participation of NCPR Representative in the Second Astana
Economic Forum
Associate Prof. Halimi, the head of the department of Economics of
NCPR, attended the Second Astana Economic Forum a high profile international
event that focused on ‘Economic Security in Eurasia and the system
of Global Risks’ from 11-12 March 2009.
The CAREC institute had an inaugural meeting with research institutes
of CAREC’s participants as well as NCPR. The aim was to seek and foster
a network of researchers, to collaborate with regional and leading
global research institutes and experts on an ambitious research agenda
focused on issues related to regional cooperation among CAREC countries.
Capacity Building Seminar at NCPR
NCPR, the partner of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, in cooperation with
German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and Financial Assistance of Dutch
Government had started a 10 days Capacity Building Seminar (Management,
Working Skills and Accounting) for 13 Governmental staff of Uruzgan
Province.
In inauguration ceremony of this seminar on 10th of March, the representatives
of KAS, GTZ and Dutch Embassy in Kabul and Senator Hanafi the representative
of Uruzgan province in Parliament as well as the NCPR staff were attended.
Workshop on Oral History
The Peace Studies department of NCPR held a workshop on the 3rd and
4th of December on Oral History at the University of Balkh for 22
lecturers of the faculties of education and literature.
Oral History looks for insights into the process of memory to learn
more details about history: not about facts and figures but to learn
about personal experiences and emotions and the way how people remember
the past. Oral history is a method to interview people with the aim
to listen to their stories by asking them questions about their lifes
and experiences e.g. during the time of war or emigration.
Regarding to the contribution of Oral History to the peace process
the participants of the workshop discuss especially the needs of:
• Analyzing the causes of war to understand the past and to find approaches
for changing the future
• Teaching the benefits of peace and discuss the impacts of war and
violence on people and society
A follow-up workshop for further discussions and training will be
held at the end of December.
The Winners of Manfred Wörner’s Award in 2008, Finished Their
Research Projects
The winners of Manfred Wörner Award in 2008, that were selected from
young lecturers and talented students of Kabul University by NATO’s
Public Diplomacy Division office and NCPR, have successfully finished
their research projects on Drug Awareness, Why Private Investment:
Internal or Foreign?, The Role of Human Capital in Economic Development,
The Study of NATO’s Role in Afghanistan, Assessment of Civic Education
Situation in Afghanistan, Gender Issue, Narcotics and Terrorism, Research
on Security Situation in Afghanistan, and Mediation among Ethnicities
in Afghanistan at the end of October 2008. The mentioned research
projects have been conducted by nine young lecturers and students
of Kabul University under the direct supervision of NCPR and have
been sent to the office of public diplomacy division of NATO for further
judgment.
Closing of Training Program in Social Sciences Faculties
on Monograph Writing and Seminar Presentation
The NCPR launch this program per annum for all senior students
of social sciences faculties of Kabul University. The program
of this year ended successfully after ten intensive lectures
days individually in each faculty on 6th November 2008. In
the program, which had been taught by expert trainers and
lecturers of Kabul University in the faculties of Journalism,
Languages & Literature, Sharia, Economics, Psychology
and Educational Sciences as well as Social Sciences, participated
more than 269 students of the mentioned faculties. It is expected
that the certificates of mentioned program will be distributed
through special ceremony to participants.
The Third GARF Program for Students
The German-Afghan Research Forum (III) was started for 35
talented students of the Faculties of Social Sciences on October
19 and it was ended on November 13 of this year. Six lecturers
from the Faculties of Economic and Social Sciences taught
research methodology course to the participants. At the end
of the Workshop, the participants were divided into five different
groups. Each group has selected a research topic about problems
and issues of Afghanistan. They will carry out their research
projects under the supervision of NCPR and will apply their
knowledge and skills they obtained in the workshop.
Peace Building and Peace Studies at Afghan Universities
On 18th of November a workshop with 20 female teachers and
students of Kabul, Polytechnic and Education Universities
was held to discuss the question: How to support the Peace
Process in Academic life?
The discussions show the importance of a trustful and open
atmosphere for discussion at university, to teach tools how
to analyze causes and effects of conflicts on the society
and to conduct researches to understand the chances and obstacles
in the development of a durable peace.
Conference on Strengthening the Afghan Higher Education
in Management and Economy
There was a conference and few working sessions regarding
the Strengthening of Scientific Management and Economy of
the Higher Education in Afghanistan from 19-21 of November
in Ruhr Universität Bochum (RUB). In this program, the chancellors
of Kabul, Nengarhar, Heart, Khost and Balkh Universities,
Deans of Economics faculties of five universities of Afghanistan
and the Director of NCPR, Dr. Noor Ebad participated.
The aim of this program was to observe the cooperation of
RUB since 2002 for the economic faculties of Afghanistan and
implementing of the curriculum of these faculties regarding
the contemporary conditions as well as the NCPR’s cooperation
with the young lecturers who are doing their master degree
studies in RUB (selection and processing of the thesis topics
of master studies).
faculties regarding the contemporary conditions as well as
the NCPR’s cooperation with the young lecturers who are doing
their master degree studies in RUB (selection and processing
of the thesis topics of master studies).
KAF Representatives Visiting the NCPR
Mr. Winzer and Ms. Tan from KAS main office of Berlin will
visit the NCPR in Kabul on 1st & 2nd Dec 2008. This foundation
is the founder and the sole donor of NCPR.
The KAS representatives will have a final discussion on the
contract of cooperation with NCPR. After singing this contract,
NCPR will cooperate with KAS as the partner and may operate
its budget independently in 2009. Furthermore, the representatives
will assist and provide information to NCPR accountants on
reporting lines to Berlin.
The trip and signing the contract is initiated by Dr. Babak
Khalatbari, the Country Director of KAS in Afghanistan and
Pakistan.
Department of Peace Studies Program for November
/December 2008
The Peace Studies Department is going to focus its activities
during the last months of 2008 on dissemination of the concept
of Peace Building and Peace Studies at Kabul University. On
the basis of exchange of ideas with Deans, Professors and
Students possible steps should be developed on how to bring
Peace Studies into practice in academic life. In workshops
and round tables the following ideas should be discussed:
• How to teach meaning and methods of Peace Building in an
academic manner?
• How to discuss topics referring to peace e.g. Social Change
or Resource Management within
the different fields of study as well as from an interdisciplinary
perspective?
• How to create an open space for discussions at university?
• What is the social-political responsibility of universities
to support the peace process?
At the end of December 2008, participants of these workshops
and representatives of Kabul University are going to discuss
the possibilities to support Peace Studies in the academic
life of Afghanistan.
The Trip of Afghan High Ranking Delegations to Korea
Upon an invitation from Korea, some high-ranking Afghan delegation,
consisting of 18 persons including the deputy Ministers of
Economics and Higher Education, Voice Chancellor of Kabul
University, the Chancellors of Kabul Polytechnic and Khost
Universities, the head of the department of economic of NCPR
and some other lecturers of economics and agriculture faculties
of Kabul, Herat, Balkh, Bamyan, Kandahar and Nangarhar universities
traveled to Korea on 4th October.
This official trip continued up to 17th October 2008. That
was designed to exchange of views and ideas on “Economic Development
strategy for Afghanistan’s rehabilitation”. The core and important
economical issues such as Monetary Policy, Trade Policy, Fiscal
Policy, International Financial Policy, Industrial Policy,
Development of Human Capitol Policy, Agriculture Policy and
Policy related to the Social Overhead Capital in accordance
to the Korean experiences and successes in mentioned fields
were discussed comprehensively.
At the end of the program, each two members of the Afghan
delegation separately prepared and presented a country report
about the Afghan economy. In addition, this program included
visits from industrial areas and famous companies in Korean
and global industrial firms, as well as visit of some cultural
sites that included good experiences to the Afghan delegation.
The Certificates Distribution for Student of Arts
College
On 12th October, 2008 there was a ceremony to admire the students
of Fine Art Faculty for their artistic activities that they
carried out for the International Peace Day.
On the International Peace Day, that the lecturers and Kabul
University students attended the event, Prof. Hamidullah Amin,
the President of Kabul University was also present. This program
was launched by NCPR’s Peace Studies Department and Kabul
University Research Center.
NCPR's Scientific Research Projects for 2008
According to its policy and goals, NCPR each year carries
out a series of research projects about Afghanistan's very
important issues and problems. Based on this policy three
very important research projects are launched by the departments
of Law and Political Sciences, Economic and Social Sciences
during the current year. The mentioned projects are as follows:
• The Role of Law in Afghanistan and How to Improve it.
• Reconstruction of the Agriculture sector in Afghanistan
and Its Impact on the Afghans.
• Social Criteria of Durable Peace and Security in Afghanistan.
The first project activities are in their third phase. The
second project is in its relevant literature review phase.
The third project activities are progressing very well. The
researchers and their assistants collected all their relevant
data and they are working on their data analysis in this project.
When the researchers finish their work then the reports of
these three research projects will be published and we will
hand them over to relevant agencies, readers and scholars
who are eager and desirous to read them.
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