G8 Foreign Ministers' Statement on Afghanistan

"We, the foreign ministers of the G8, reaffirm our collective commitment to support Afghanistan on its road to peace and stability. As noted by G8 foreign ministers and most recently last June at the Trieste ministerial meeting, stability in Afghanistan and the surrounding region is crucial to stemming terrorism with a global reach".
Read the Statement and the Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Region Prosperity Initiative.

The Government of Canada Releases its Seventh Quarterly Report on Canada’s Engagement in Afghanistan

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Afghanistan, announced the tabling of the Government of Canada’s seventh quarterly report on Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan, covering the period from October 1 to December 31, 2009. Read the report.

What's New

Canada's Ambassador to Afghanistan William Crosbie interviewed on Shamshad TV

On February 15, Canada's Ambassador to Afghanistan William Crosbie visited Shamshad TV, an Afghan television station located in Kabul. Read about the interview.

Canadian and U.S. Police Combine Efforts to Mentor the Kandahar Female Police Force

Serve and Protect, Servir et Protéger, Khedmat how azhghorel, no matter what the language, police officers all across the world live by this unwritten code.  Afghan National Police (ANP) are no different.  Kandahar Provincial Police Headquarters boasts nine female ANP, a resource unheard of in the provinces surrounding Kandahar City and in southern Afghanistan. Read the full story.

Canada's Ambassador to Afghanistan William Crosbie visits PRT in Uruzgan Province

Canadian Ambassador to Afghanistan William Crosbie visited the Australian and Dutch Provincial Reconstruction Team in Uruzgan province on February 13 with Australian Ambassador to Afghanistan Paul Foley and EU Deputy Special Representative Barbara Stapleton. Read more on the visit.

Afghan National Customs Academy Graduation Ceremony

48 students celebrated being the first graduating class of the newly opened Afghan National Customs Academy (ANCA). Canada's Ambassador William Crosbie joined senior Afghan officials, US colleagues and the students and teachers of the Academy for this important event. Read more on the graduation or the News Release.

First Class to Graduate from the Arts and Architecture Institute

On February 16, Turquoise Mountain’s Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture held a graduation ceremony in celebration of the first class of students to graduate from their three year programmes of study. Read more on the graduation.

Story from the Field - Teacher-Training Initiatives in Afghanistan

Teachers are role models, in Canada, in Afghanistan; wherever you live really. When you ask Afghan children what they would like to do after finishing school, many say they would like to be doctors or teachers. However, teachers in Afghanistan are some of the lowest paid professionals in the country, making between $60–90 a month, in fact, they earn less money than taxi drivers and street vendors. 
Read more on this story from the field.

Marking International Women’s Day

Canada’s priorities in Afghanistan provide an opportunity to make a direct contribution to improving the lives of Afghan women and girls. In recognition of International Women’s Day and to learn more about what Canada is doing to help Afghan woman and girls, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has updated its backgrounder - Canada’s support to Afghan women and girls. Read full story.

Afghanistan Task Force at the 9^th Annual National Managers’ Community Professional Development Forum

On March 2-3, the Afghanistan Task Force was present at this national event to engage over 1500 public servants who participated. Participants were able to interact with Afghanistan experts to discuss Canada’s engagement and obtain information products. Read more on the event.

Learning from Afghanistan at the Conference of Defence Associations

The Conference of Defence Associations recently held their annual seminar and general meeting from March 3 – 4 at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa. The event attracted over 500 participants including members of the military, Canadian and Foreign government officials, representatives from NGOs, academics and the media. Participants debated many issues related to Canada's engagement in Afghanistan. Read more on the Conference.

Video: Women's Perspectives in Kandahar

Many women in Kandahar province have long suffered from harsh inequality and serious disadvantage. The challenges, though numerous, are slowly being addressed and there are positive signs of progress. Watch the video.

Video: Canada's Whole of Government Approach on Afghanistan

In this video, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, and Ben Rowswell, the Representative of Canada in Kandahar, explain Canada's current objectives in Afghanistan and how the whole-of-government-approach functions. Watch the video.

Kabul Celebrates International Women's Day

Photo Gallery - Exercise Maple Guardian

View a selection of photos from Exercise Maple Guardian in our Flickr gallery.

Photo Gallery - Uruzgan Province

View a selection of photos from the PRT in the Uruzgan Province in our Flickr gallery.

Comrades in Arms: Roto 8 of the Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Team

There are few greater honours for a soldier than to be able to pass along knowledge and expertise garnered over years of professional training and experience to others who have not had the same opportunities. Read more on this story.

Personalizing Canada’s Work in Afghanistan

"Why we're there" poster series

AfCam

Combat Camera

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