On April 20th, Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) premiered its new film, Change in the Making: A Journey in Afghanistan by Canadian documentary film maker, Richard Phinney, to an audience of NGO’s government, media, the diplomatic corps, and interested Canadians.Khalil Shariff, CEO of AKFC, opened the discussion with reflections on institution building in Afghanistan, and the power of grassroots democracy to foster peace, setting the stage for the strong glimmers of hope witnessed in the movie.
Following the film, moderator Chris Eaton, Executive Director, World University Service of Canada, led Mr. Ehsan Zia, former Afghan Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, and Mr. Kevin Moorhead, CEO of Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan, in conversation on the hopes of this fragile state.
According to Mr. Zia, a development revolution is taking place in parts of rural Afghanistan, and the world is witnessing the power of local populations to create peace against all odds. “We need to counsel patience in a longer term perspective,” he urged. It was this sentiment of longevity and commitment that evolved as the evening’s theme.
“Canada has a niche,” Mr. Moorhead agreed, “We have a situation not only of stability in our country, but of prosperity. Every person is touched by institutions in some way, whether it’s garbage collection or health insurance. It gives us a sense of belonging to the nation. But in Afghanistan, there are no links to the nation, and it is this that breeds conflict and distrust. Building those links is a uniquely Canadian approach to development. But, we can’t expect this development to happen overnight: it’s a generational thing.”
In reference to the political slogan of ‘change’ that has become popular the world round, Afghan Ambassador to Canada Jawed Ludin ended the evening by noting the almost clichéd use of the word. “But this change that we’re talking about here, this is a different kind of change – it is a rediscovery. What you see in Afghanistan is a country that once had wealth, not the kind of poverty that you see today.”
In closing, Ambassador Ludin offered a heartfelt thanks to Canada, on behalf of the people of Afghanistan. “Canada’s commitment has come at an immense human cost to this country, but Canadians have to believe that it has made a difference. Canada has been with us through the really hard times. We would like Canada to be there when the good times come.”
