Afghanistan: What is Human Security?

Human security is a concept that focuses on the protection of individuals; challenging the traditional idea of national security that simply seeks to defend the physical and political integrity of a state. It's a big idea.

The greatest threats to human security is armed violence; destroying lives, opportunity and the hopes of millions for a better future. The current conditions in Afghanistan shows the devastating effect of thirty years of war. These wars have been fueled by invading armies as well as massive weapons transfers by the international community to various militia and resistance forces.

Trying to mitigate the impact of on-going wars does not work. The international community clearly has a responsibility to provide generous and transparent assistance to the people of Afghanistan. The repair and recovery will take place sooner with the removal of foreign military forces. The global humanitarian assistance website illustrates the challenges.

What you will find

One in four refugees in the world in 2009 was from Afghanistan
United Nations High Commissioner for Human rights

A child born in Afghanistan has the world’s highest probability of dying by age 5 World Health Organization(2008)- Ranked 195 of 195

Life expectancy is 42 years old
World Health Organization(2008)- Ranked 187 of 188

Adult literacy is 28%
UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (2007) - Ranked 189 of 190

Human Development Index: Ranked 155 of 169 (Human Development Report, 2010)

Global Peace Index: Ranked 147 of 149 (Institute for Economics & Peace, 2010)

Additional Resource: End Reliance on Military Solutions

The number of US Troops in Afghanistan: 100,000
Cost per year to deploy those troops: $100 Billion

If I Had A Trillion Dollars…

Last month five participants from the If I Had A Trillion Dollars Youth Video Contest went to Washington. Their videos - among almost 50 submitted - had received top honors from a panel of judges. We brought them to the nations capitol to meet with elected officials, policymakers, and the activist community to share their videos about how war spending could be better used on human needs. Their visit came days after the President submitted his budget for 2012.

Kyane Strother, Alia Holness, Anays Mercedes and Richardson Joseph from Boston and Briseida Montiel from the Bronx arrived in DC anxious, excited and nervous to be presenting their winning videos to Congress. After a lobby training at Friends Committee on National Legislation and a briefing on the federal budget from AFSC and NPP staff, they were ready to meet members of Congress and send their message of cutting the military budget.

After two congressional briefings at The Capitol and over 15 congressional office visits, the youth headed to the iconic Busboys and Poets coffeehouse in Washington DC. There, they met with DC-area youth and discussed the issues in their communities. Afterwards, the youth were honored and the winning videos were screened to an audience of nearly 100 people.

"I never expected to have my video shown to members of Congress and I never expected I would be in Washington DC," said 19-year old Briseida Montiel of Bronx, New York. Briseida found out about the video contest while participating in a young women's empowerment project at the Sadie Nash Leadership Project. Her video was the first this aspiring filmmaker had ever attempted to do. Now, Briseida is considering studying video production next year in college.

"We entered the video contest on a whim so it is amazing to have had this opportunity to share our video in DC," said Wesley Richardson, an adult mentor at Amplify Me, an after school media project in Boston.

"The most exciting part for me was getting offered an internship in Senator Kerry's office. It was amazing to be able to meet his staff in DC," said Alia Holness, a sophomore from Boston. Alia and the other youth from Boston had the opportunity to talk with staffers in their Senator's office as well as all their Congressman's office. Each staff member received a DVD of their winning video and information from AFSC and NPP on budget priorities.

To see the winning videos and find out more information on the "If I Had A Trillion Dollars" Youth Video Contest, click here.

NATO Airstrike Kills Seven Civilians

A statement issued by the Helmand provincial governor's office said seven people — two men, two women and three children — were killed when coalition forces fired on the suspects. Those killed were in another vehicle traveling near the targeted ones.

The use of force could not stand in greater contrast to the video call by the Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers who planted 55 trees - for peace - at a school in Kabul. The ceremony was to usher in the Afghan New Year, and call attention to their hopes for a new way of living, a non-violent way of rebuilding the country

Additional Resource:

“We believe that it is morally unacceptable to allow military tactics to lead our response to human crises. The current foreign military assault on Libya is a step in the wrong direction, one that may lead the country to further instability, human suffering, and protracted violent conflict.“

Friday Review: Inspiring Peace Work

The global day of listening last weekend commemorated the eighth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq and Nowroz the Afghan new year. It started with a peace walk in Kabul, captured above. The Afghan led activities also featured a solidarity visit from international peace delegates organized by Voices for Creative Nonviolence. These young Afghans are pioneering nonviolent strategies to end the violence in their country.

A Woman Among Warlords
Malalai Joya US National Speaking Tour Begins

After being denied a visa that prevented her from attending the first venues of her tour, the decision was reversed on Wednesday. The strategies to reverse the decision was an amazing educational and outreach effort that called attention to the war and the need to hear Afghan voices. There was a letter from elected officials (three Senators and six Representatives) asking that she be allowed into the country, commentary from major media outlets, and petitions, including the argument of ideological exclusion organized by the ACLU and PEN America. Check here to see if the tour is coming to your community

AFSC Statement on Libya

“We believe that it is morally unacceptable to allow military tactics to lead our response to human crises. The current foreign military assault on Libya is a step in the wrong direction, one that may lead the country to further instability, human suffering, and protracted violent conflict.”

Windows and Mirrors
Reflections on the War in Afghanistan

The travelling mural exhibit opens this evening in North Carolina to begin a three-week run. Please alert any friends you have in the area to the many community events and activities.

Kabul Transit

I am often asked which films I like on Afghanistan. One I often recommend is Kabul Transit. It is a haunting film that stays with you. The singer in the clip above is Ahmad Zahir. The format - a kind of randomness - makes you feel a part of the city. You meet kite flyers, herbalists, money changers and young women studying at university as you pass through. You learn about the fabric of the city. Including the impact of the Soviet war as told through the ruins of the massive cultural center that was built in the 1980’s. Vintage film stock offers a rare glimpse back in time.

Take a moment to poke around their web page and look at the clips that have been put on YouTube. You will be rewarded.

The Frontier Gandhi: A Torch for Peace

Twenty-one years in the making, The Frontier Gandhi: Badshah Khan, A Torch for Peace launches into orbit the epic story of a remarkable Muslim peacemaker born into Pashtun warrior society of the strategic North-West Frontier Province of the Indian subcontinent — now Pakistan’s frontier region Kyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Pronounced “a miracle” by Mahatma Gandhi, Badshah Khan (1890-1988) raised a 100,000 strong nonviolent army of men, women, and young people — the Khudai Khidmatgars, or servants of God — drawn from the multi-ethnic traditions of Afghanistan and India. This movement united diverse tribes for an astounding 17 years to end British colonial rule. They were Muslims, as well as Hindus, Christians, Parsees, Sikhs, and Buddhists came together in the cause of peace, social justice, religious tolerance, and human dignity for all.

“In our fight for freedom, women stood shoulder to shoulder with the men in the Khudai Khidmatgar movement. We tended to the wounded. And we did whatever else we could to support the cause of nonviolence.”
–Lady Husn Afroza, A Khudai Khidmatgar (servant of God, soldier of peace), Pakistan

Filmed in Afghanistan, Khyber Pass, Pakistan, India, United States, and Canada, the film includes rare historical footage, surprisingly candid interviews with world leaders, testimony from 63 of Badshah Khan’s nonviolent warriors — most beyond the age of 100 years — and a score by acclaimed world music pioneer David Amram. Legendary Indian actor, Om Puri, brings alive the thoughts and writings of Badshah Khan.

Nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize, Badshah Khan’s improbable life and legacy remain little known. He died in 1988 at the age of 98 having spent nearly 35 years in solitary confinement for his efforts to humanize humanity.


Additional Resources:

For a in-depth review of events in Afghanistan at the time of his death in 1988 look at this article from Eqbal Ahmad and Richard J. Barnet

Bloody Games (The New Yorker Magazine | April 1988)

To understand the legacy he left in Pakistan read Missing Badshan Khan

Windows and Mirrors | North Carolina

Tell Your Friends

Friday 25 March – Friday 15 April
Guilford College Library
5800 W. Market St
Greensboro, NC 27410

Full schedule of events here,
Full description here.
Windows and Mirrors poster here.

Worship in the manner of Friends
Friday 25 March | 5:30 PM
Guilford College Library Atrium.
Sponsored by the Guilford College Quaker Leader Scholars Program.

Opening Reception
Friday 25 March | 7 PM
Guilford College Library Atrium.


Muslims in America and Islamophobia
Thursday 31 March | 7 PM
New Garden Friends Meeting, 805 New Garden Road.
Panel discussion:
Nihad Awad, Director, Council on American Islamic Relations
Local residents art by Todd Drake, "Muslim Self Portraits"
See the Muslims in America facebook group here.

Christianity and War
Tuesday 5 April | 7:30 PM
Guilford College Gallery (Founders Hall).
Panel discussion covering the spectrum of Christian responses to war.

The Economic Cost of War
Friday 15 April | 7 PM
Guilford College Library Atrium.
Peter Lems, American Friends Service Committee, Philadelphia, PA