Students Participate in NATO-Afghan Student Forum III

Ten students from AUAF represented Afghanistan at the third annual NATO-Afghan Student Forum, held in France in October.

The Forum was held in Biarritz, where 35 participants from 13 countries gathered to exchange opinions and exchange perspectives with their Afghan peers.

Discussing Afghanistan

Mr. Neil Lopez, from Cape Verde, is pursuing political science in France. “I am very interested in Afghanistan’s situation,” he said “It’s very important to have the chance to chat with NATO officials as well as other students.”

The forum officially kicked off with Mr. Philippe Zavoli welcoming the participants on behalf of the University of Bayonne. The podium was then handed to several ranking officials from United Nations, European Commission, and NATO headquarters. Speakers from several countries interacted with the students via video tele-conferencing.

Guest speakers included Admiral Di Paola, Chairman of the Military Committee at NATO; Dr. Florian Reindel, Counsellor, Spokesperson and Political Affairs from Germany; Mr. Grazvydas Jasutis, Deputy Defense Advisor from Lithuania; and Mr. Jose Santacana, Deputy Political Advisor from the United States

In their sessions, speakers expressed what many Afghan students considered a surprisingly positive perspective regarding the future of the country. Admiral Di Paola emphasized in his speech that the country is moving forward, and that strengthening the Afghan government will continue to form the center of NATO’s efforts.

“NATO’s mission in Afghanistan is based on the request of the Afghan government and its role in the country is to assist the Afghan government.”

Interactions began the first day students met on the campus but were not limited to the conference room. Michael Polyak from US said, “…I think the NATO’s speakers helped me better clarify the issues but also, the conversations we had during coffee breaks have been very valuable.”

Presenting an Afghan Perspective

Dr. Antje Knorr, Information Officer at NATO and a one of the principal organizers, introduced the last day by addressing the participants, “I know you have been waiting to hear what your Afghan peers would say so we will give them the ground to start.”

The Afghan students delivered four presentations on building a new society, security and democracy, tradition and modernity, as well as current situation of Afghanistan.

AUAF student Ms. Kulsum Khan spoke about tradition and modernity in an Afghan context, saying, “It certainly was an important forum for me because I got to meet different people.”

Adding to that, Ms. Khan says, “I was anxious about presenting my topic to 35 new people coming from the Netherlands, Africa, France, Italy, Canada and other places.”

On the French end, Professor Jean-Pierre Massias, who coordinated the program in Bayonne, said in an interview with French media, “[The Forum] is a unique experience for our students.” Adding to that, he continued, “This forum may not be the last one. Each year, during the summer, we’re planning to host an international organization.”

To learn more about the NATO-Afghan Student Forum, click here.