Kabul, Afghanistan | September 21, 2019
The Good Governance Studies Institute–Organization (GGSIO), in partnership with the Deputy Ministry of Youth Affairs and with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), successfully organized the first “Youth and Governance Conference” on September 21, 2019, at Kabul University Auditorium.
The conference brought together hundreds of young participants and university students from various provinces of Afghanistan. Distinguished speakers included:
- Mr. Shah Zaman Maiwandi, Director General of the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA)
- Mr. Barna Karimi, Former Ambassador of Afghanistan to Canada
- Mr. Mohammad Ajmal Shahpour, Deputy Minister for Youth Affairs, Ministry of Information and Culture
Promoting Youth Participation in Governance
Opening the conference, Mr. Ahmad Etemadi, Executive Director of GGSIO, provided an overview of the Institute’s mission and ongoing initiatives aimed at institutionalizing good governance in Afghanistan. He highlighted GGSIO’s work in key areas including rule of law, local governance, e-governance, anti-corruption, peacebuilding, women and youth participation, transparency, green governance, and environmental protection.
Youth as Drivers of National Development
Deputy Minister Shahpour emphasized the critical role of youth in shaping the country’s future and praised GGSIO’s initiative in creating a platform for dialogue between young people and national leaders. He encouraged Afghan youth to take advantage of educational and self-development opportunities and to actively pursue personal and professional growth.
Leadership Lessons from Public Service and Diplomacy
Mr. Barna Karimi shared his professional experiences, including his role in establishing the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) and developing local governance policy frameworks. He discussed institutional reform, the consolidation of parallel administrative structures, and the responsibilities of diplomatic leadership, offering practical insights for aspiring young professionals.
Resilience, Innovation, and Continuous Learning
Mr. Shah Zaman Maiwandi addressed participants on leadership, public administration, and personal development. Drawing from his experience in presidential advisory roles and heading an independent national agency, he encouraged youth to embrace change, avoid complacency, create new opportunities, and commit to lifelong learning. He emphasized that setbacks should be viewed as stepping stones toward long-term success.
Following the keynote speeches, Mr. Maiwandi and Mr. Karimi participated in a panel discussion and interactive Q&A session with participants.
A Sustainable Platform for Youth Engagement
The Youth and Governance Conference is designed as a periodic educational platform aimed at strengthening youth participation in administrative and political processes. By facilitating knowledge transfer, leadership experience sharing, and exposure to successful governance models, the program seeks to empower Afghan youth as future leaders and decision-makers.
