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Kick-starting the Virtuous Cycle? Security, Development, and Governance in Afghanistan

Date: Friday, April 25, 2008 / Time: 6:00am - 7:30am 

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An Afghanistan Working Group public event A discussion with H.E. Mohammed Ehsan Zia, Afghanistan's Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

A vicious cycle of insecurity, under-development, and poor governance has imperiled Afghanistan's progress and provided opportunities for the anti-government insurgency. Countering these trends with a virtuous cycle of security, development, and good governance is the fundamental goal of the Afghan government and the international community. The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, which runs the acclaimed National Solidarity Program—aimed at creating village-level development and governance—is at the center of this effort.

H.E. Mohammed Ehsan Zia has been involved in the implementation of humanitarian and post-conflict programs in Afghanistan since 1988. Minister Zia has extensive professional experience in rural and community development, and specializes in participatory development theory and peace building. He joined the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) in 2002, and was appointed Minister in 2006. Minister Zia will discuss the Afghanistan perspective on development, and its relationship to security, governance, and combating the insurgency.


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Speakers

  • H.E. Mohammed Ehsan Zia
    Afghanistan's Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development
  • J Alexander Thier, Moderator
    U.S. Institute of Peace

 

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