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Nov
2012
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Foreign policy experts, students, and members of the community met for a panel discussion about the future of Afghanistan at the University of Ottawa on Nov. 14.
The panel, hosted by the group Afghanistan: Pathways to Peace and the University of Ottawa Amnesty International Club, discussed the different ways in which Afghanistan may establish stability once the U.S. reduces its military presence in the region after 2014.
“It's an internal conflict, and I don't see why we, as international people, have to involve ourselves in those conflicts,” said Rita Daou, a member of the Amnesty International Club. “We don't let the two parties solve the conflict in their own way,” she continued to say in French.
“Millions of people's lives are affected by this conflict, and we're supposed to close our eyes?” asked panelist David Lord, Executive Director of Peacebuild, also in French.
Ms. Daou suggested that countries outside the Middle East assist by offering financial aid, rather than direct military and political involvement.
“No one in the world cared that there's this country where people are killing each other, but when 9-11 happened, the world understood that a small country in conflict can cause problems all over the globe,” said Hossy Qasmi, a University of Ottawa student. Ms. Qasmi was born in Afghanistan but grew up as a refugee in Pakistan before returning in 2002.
“When the U.S. came it was not to work for the people of Afghanistan. They came there to find Osama bin Laden.” She said the international community is remaining in the region not solely to help Afghans rebuild their country, but to ensure another leader like bin Laden does not gain power.
One member of the audience suggested that Afghan people need their own Arab-Spring-like revolution to achieve change for themselves, rather than have change imposed on them by foreigners.
“People are looking for solutions. They're not looking to fall back into violence,” responded Mr. Lord, who recently returned from a trip to Afghanistan. He said Western media that cover events in the region focus on the interests of Western governments.
“Within Afghanistan, it's much more nuanced,” said Mr. Lord. “People get on with their lives every day, in a very diverse, difficult and abused country, but generally, they get on with it.”
Ms. Qasmi agreed that Afghans do not want more violence.
“I am tired of fights, I am tired of listening to those bombs every day, I am tired of being afraid of going out of my home without knowing if I'll come back alive,” she said.
Panelist Hussain Ramoz, former executive director of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, said he believes the panel recognized that peace is a necessity in Afghanistan.
“I think we also realize that that's not easy and there will be challenges on the way,” said Ramoz, who lived in Afghanistan for most of his life before moving to Canada four years ago. “As a person who has lived there and passed bad days there, I'm not losing faith and belief in changes in Afghanistan.”
Ms. Qasmi said she was also happy to hear what the panelists had to say. She noted that there were few other Afghans at the discussion.
“Afghans have heard a lot but haven't seen results,” said Ms. Qasmi. “That kind of discourages them.”
Ms. Qasmi, who is completing the last year of her Masters in communication studies, said she is hopeful for Afghanistan's future. She said she plans on returning to the country after graduation.
“The new generation's ideologies have changed a lot,” she said. “If we work together, I think we will create positive change for the country.”
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