| | AdvocacyGroup Launches Major Initiatives at Helm of U.S.Policy Reassessment towards Afghanistan The Afghanistan Advocacy Group, Press Release
02/02/2008
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Washington, D.C. - A nonpartisan group of Afghan-Americans and Americans concerned about U.S.policy towards Afghanistan launched two major initiatives at the helm of the release of the Afghanistan Study Group Report and hearings on Capitol Hill regarding Afghanistan this week. The Afghanistan Advocacy Group (AAG) was launched in September 2007, with the objective to serve as a platform in order to advance dialogue between concerned citizens and U.S.and Afghan policymakers on development and security in Afghanistan.
AAG has been building a network of professionals and activists from across the U.S. and Afghanistan who can provide constructive recommendations on programs and reforms needed to achieve stability and economic and social development. AAG has identified priority policy areas on which it will focus its efforts in 2008, including requesting greater funding for economic development as compared to military spending in the next supplemental.
AAG’s public launch event took place at a forum at the National Press Club on January 25, 2008, at which AAG invited the Foreign Policy Advisers for the Presidential campaigns to state their candidates’ positions with respect to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The McCain, Obama and Huckabee campaigns participated. The issue of U.S.foreign policy towards South Asia will be important in the Presidential campaigns and AAG intends to provide information to campaign staff in order to create dialogue with those who may have a role in future U.S.-Afghan relations.
In order to strengthen outreach efforts, AAG also launched a new television program this week, “Nazar” (Opinion) TV, which can be viewed via satellite on Ariana Afghanistan Television every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. EST. NazarTV, which will include coverage in Dari, Pashto and English, will reach Afghans inside Afghanistan,the U.S., and Europe. It will provide a mechanism to share information about AAG’s efforts and developments in U.S. policies and programs for Afghanistan. NazarTV will obtain interviews from U.S. policymakers, cover events that take place in the U.S. related to Afghanistan, discuss U.S. reconstruction programs, and bring experts to discuss not only challenges, but solutions. NazarTV will provide a format that is currently missing amongst Afghan television programs.
During the next two months, AAG will be focusing its efforts on Capitol Hill given the release of two major reports on U.S.policy in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, those reports did not include Afghan-Americans in their formulation. AAG believes that the inclusion of Afghan-American experts would add useful insights in such reports and is compiling a list of such experts to share with the Administration, Capitol and think tanks. AAG will thus support the efforts of other groups identifying ways to improve U.S.policies and programs in Afghanistan.
Since its inception, AAG has been actively working to raise awareness and achieve results. Since September, the group has helped with an event at which Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad spoke regarding the U.N.’s future role in Afghanistan, facilitated a discussion with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding how to better train local Afghan engineers through US government contracts, and has engaged in meetings with professional staff on Capitol Hill.
AAG is open to participation by individuals who shares the common objective of AAG and agrees with the group’s Policy Brief as the focal point of the group’s activities. It currently includes Americans of all backgrounds whose common interest is promoting stability and development in Afghanistan, through taking action at home, and building greater understanding between Afghans and Americans.
AAG is nonpartisan in the U.S. and Afghanistan and its activities are organized and led by volunteers. To obtain further information about AAG or to join the effort, please contact info@afghanistanadvocacygroup.org.
Please note that print highlights of the National Press Club event can be found at http://blog.press.org/?p=513. Video of the National Press Club event and the first NazarTV show can be viewed soon at www.afghanistanadvocacygroup.org.
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