Oct 03, 2007


17 – 23 September 2007 – The Second NATO-Afghan Student Forum was held at the Sant’Anna School of Pisa – Italy from 17 to 20 September. This initiative was co-organized by the School Sant’Anna and NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division. The event involved a wide range of university students from Afghanistan, Central Asia and NATO countries, including Bulgaria, Italy, Lithuania and Slovakia.

The Participants assessed the current security situation of Afghanistan from different perspectives and discussed a variety of prospects for long-term security in Afghanistan, the role of the Afghan nation in the development of their country, and the involvement and contribution of NATO in establishing stability in Afghanistan.

Participants pointed out the importance of cooperation of the international community in promoting security, reconstruction, economic development, good governance, and the rule of law in Afghanistan.

 

In his presentation CAPS Research Analyst, Dr. Najeeb ur Rahman Manalai addressed “The consequences of insecurity in Afghanistan on neighboring countries and NATO”. Dr. Manalai explored the identity and role of different factions involved in the conflict in Afghanistan and the changing nature of the conflict in various periods. He also addressed some of the shortfalls of the international community in Afghanistan. In addition, the presentation assessed the strategic influence of the Afghan conflict over the region and the world.

 

As part of the event, an interactive video-teleconference question and answer session was held with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.