Special Forum on Afghanistan
On behalf of Pax Christi Victoria I invite you to a special Forum on Afghanistan on SUNDAY 18 October 2009 at 2 -5.30 p.m at the Centre for Theology and Ministry, College Crescent Parkville (between St Hilda’s & Ormond Colleges).
We are holding this forum because we believe there is an urgent need for all of us to be much better informed about the very confusing situation in Afghanistan. It is likely that Australia will be requested to send more troops in the near future even as the Netherlands and other European countries are pulling their troops out.
Will this achieve anything?
Can foreign armies bring democracy to Afghanistan or are they making a difficult situation worse?
Who are the Taliban and what do they seek to achieve?
Will withdrawal leave behind chaos?
What is happening to the ordinary people, especially the women?
Is a military presence in Afghanistan the way to deal with terrorism?
Are there ways in which Australia and the International community can contribute to a just peace?
These are just some of the questions about which we need to be informed so that we can make constructive representations to the Australian government.
We are very fortunate that Prof Amin Saikal AM, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies Australian National University and a native of Afghanistan has agreed to come to Melbourne to be the keynote speaker.
Other speakers include
· Ms Fazila Tasmim Hajeb who is a Graduate of Kabul University; presenter and broadcaster with SBS radio, language teacher and Deputy Chair: Tents4Peace
· Prof Joseph Camilleri Director, Centre for Dialogue, LaTrobe University.
We hope to draw together a wide cross section of concerned individuals and groups so that we can together make an informed commitment towards the realisation of a peaceful future for Afghanistan.
We are holding this forum because we believe there is an urgent need for all of us to be much better informed about the very confusing situation in Afghanistan. It is likely that Australia will be requested to send more troops in the near future even as the Netherlands and other European countries are pulling their troops out.
Will this achieve anything?
Can foreign armies bring democracy to Afghanistan or are they making a difficult situation worse?
Who are the Taliban and what do they seek to achieve?
Will withdrawal leave behind chaos?
What is happening to the ordinary people, especially the women?
Is a military presence in Afghanistan the way to deal with terrorism?
Are there ways in which Australia and the International community can contribute to a just peace?
These are just some of the questions about which we need to be informed so that we can make constructive representations to the Australian government.
We are very fortunate that Prof Amin Saikal AM, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies Australian National University and a native of Afghanistan has agreed to come to Melbourne to be the keynote speaker.
Other speakers include
· Ms Fazila Tasmim Hajeb who is a Graduate of Kabul University; presenter and broadcaster with SBS radio, language teacher and Deputy Chair: Tents4Peace
· Prof Joseph Camilleri Director, Centre for Dialogue, LaTrobe University.
We hope to draw together a wide cross section of concerned individuals and groups so that we can together make an informed commitment towards the realisation of a peaceful future for Afghanistan.
posted by Pax Christi @ Thursday, September 24, 2009
