As international troops begin to withdraw from Afghanistan, it is important to focus on strengthening the civilian component of international assistance beyond 2014. In order to discuss concrete recommendations for the various challenges facing Afghanistan, the Heinrich Böll Stiftung and the Center for American Progress held consultation workshops for a large group of civil society actors in Afghanistan in November 2012 and March 2013, and brought a delegation of Afghan civil society leaders to Washington, DC and New York City in February 2013. The delegates emphasized the important achievements made in Afghanistan over the past decade with international help, including in the education and health sectors, infrastructure, and human rights, particularly for women; they also noted the progress made in strengthening the rule of law, state institutions, media, and the private sector. The delegates discussed the important role that civil society aims to play in preserving the gains that have been made and in making further progress in their country’s reconstruction through actively engaging with the Afghan government, the international community, and neighboring countries.
- Policy Paper "Afghanistan beyond 2014: Elections, Political Settlement, Reforms. Recommendations from Afghan Civil Society"
This paper offers recommendations from a number of Afghan civil society organizations in three critical areas of importance: the upcoming national elections in Afghanistan, efforts for a political settlement, and broader political reforms. - "Afghanistan's Fate Unclear As More Troops Expected To Leave"
Interview on NPR Weekend Edition with Böll/CAP guests from Afghanistan - "Afghanistan Beyond 2014"
Summary of the joint event with the World Policy Institute in New York City, 14 February 2013 - "The Troops Are Leaving. Uncertaintiy is All that Remains" (language: Dari)
Deutsche Welle coverage of the visit of the Afghan civil society leaders to the United States