Senior Program Officers Nina Sughrue and Keith Bowen in conjunction with local partner the Welfare Association for the Development of Afghanistan (WADAN) conducted the first of two training workshops in Kabul on April 14-16. The goal of the program is to build a multiplying effect of Afghan conflict resolution professionals working in all parts of the country. The program included 21 Afghans, most of whom are trainers in various subjects from public health to civic education. The NGOs and IOs represented were: the Afghan Help and Training Program , Afghan Institute of Learning, Afghan NGOs Coordination Bureau, Afghan Peace and Democracy Act, Afghan Women's Center, Afghan Women's Council, Afghan Women's Education Center, Agency for Consultancy and Training, Action Aid, Aina e Zan Women's Mirror, Arya Training Institute, ACBAR, AREU, Basic Educaiton and Employable Skills Training, CARE, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, Central Afghanistan Welfare Committee, Co-Operation for Peace and Unity, Ghazna Bastan Training Professional Organizaiton, IWAP, Mediotehck, Sanayee Development Organization, SCA, Skills Training and Rehabilitation Society, Training Human Rights Association, UNESCO and UNIFEM.

During the April 14-16 workshop USIP trainers taught the USIP conflict resolution portfolio of conflict analysis, communication skills, conflict styles, negotiation, mediation, problem solving and training techniques. A mix of lecture and interactive role playing exercises was incorporated in the training session. As homework for the second workshop the participants are required to complete USIP?s on-line conflict analysis course, which has recently been translated into Dari. Additionally, participants were broken up into seven groups and instructed to put together a training module on one of the six topics covered during the workshop. Participants were advised to take the USIP frameworks and information and adapt them for the local Afghan context. The seventh group is responsible for coordinating with all six groups and putting the agenda together. During the final workshop the participants will present their training modules and essentially train each other on the various conflict management skills crafted specifically for Afghanistan.

The next workshop will be held July 14-16 in Kabul.