Afghan Students Participate in Regional Security Seminar

AUAF student Ahmad Zia Furmolly recently represented Afghanistan at a week-long Summer Academy organized and sponsored by NATO Headquarters, the OSCE, and Vector Intellect.

The Summer Academy, held between 29 June and 6 July 2008 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, brought together approximately 25 students from Central Asian countries, including the Russian Federation, to discuss the common challenges facing the region.

Entitled “Security and Stability in the Central Asian region: Common Interests and Challenges”, the Summer Academy was largely dedicated to the subject of Afghanistan.

This was the fourth iteration of the gathering, held annually in Tajikistan. It was a first for Afghan students, who had not participated until this year.

Furmolly, 27, is a business administration major at AUAF with a particular interest in regional dynamics. As part of the selection process, he submitted an essay on regional security and economic stability in the region designed to assess existing knowledge and interest.

In his essay and subsequent presentations, Furmolly placed particular emphasis on the need for tighter economic integration with Central Asian countries in order to increase the region's prosperity and combat the spreading menace of extremism.

 "If (Central Asian countries) could encourage imports from other central Asian countries such as Tajikistan, the entire region could build long-lasting international trade ties," he said. "Right now, the region is suffering from economic isolation, which has been ongoing since the collapse of communism."

"Increased trade will help Afghanistan combat the extremism. Trade from northern neighbours means less dependence on Pakistan."

Aimal Maiwand, from Mazar-e-Sharif, also represented Afghanistan at the Summer Academy.

Students had the chance to speak with presenters on topics such as security sector reform, trade, counter-narcotics, and political cooperation. Over the course of the week they met with the Ambassadors of Afghanistan, Britain, France, Turkey and the United States.

Speaking of the benefit of such events, Furmolly says: "Initiatives such as this event definitely help students from different countries exchange views and knowledge. It helps the region in building long lasting ties and friendship between youth, the future leaders of their countries.

"It provided Afghans students with the opportunity to present their great country."