Asia

Acknowledging the multiple challenges that Pakistan is facing in this regard, the Ministry of Environment, in cooperation with partners, organized an “International Conference on Climate Change and Development” on 21st - 22nd October 2010 at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad. This interdisciplinary conference brought together a wide range of international organizations, academics, civil society and private sector to deliberate on climate change and development issues.

The security situation in Afghanistan and the role of the German army are topics of controversial discussion in the German media. Prior to the election of the parliament Sanjar Sohail, Afghan journalist and chief editor of the daily paper “Hasht-e Sobh” (“8 am”), talked to the Heinrich-Böll-Foundation about working conditions for journalists and the reputation of the German troops in Afghanistan.

Ms Binalakshmi Nepram, Founder of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and Secretary General of Control Arms Foundation of India has been conferred the Sean MacBride Peace Prize for the year 2010.

Afghan President Karzai established “Peace Council” for negotiations with the Taliban. The names of 68 members of this council were announced, and hold few surprises

Being a journalist is a dangerous job in Afghanistan. In the past nine years we have lost about fifteen journalists in different incidents. Just two days ago one of our famous news anchors was stabbed in Kabul. So it is dangerous because we always have the problem of accessing the information in the war zone. And the Taliban are not helping the journalists, but are always trying to capture and kill them.

Wild garbage dumps are one of the biggest nuisances in Kabul. It just takes one walk through the streets of the capital to experience all kinds of odors. With children and animals also digging in the garbage, the piles also pose a severe health risk for Kabul’s citizens. The newly established garbage bins are a first step to make the city cleaner. Still, getting the entire system up and running will take some time.

The Armed Forces Special Powers Bill was passed by both the Houses of Parliament and it received the assent of the President on 11th September, 1958. On 8th September 2010 guests and resource persons from different organisations, the armed forces and men and women from all over India working on peace and conflict issues, discussed ideas and visions of peace building and the highly controversial and sensitive topic of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Find out more about the conference on the website of our office in New Delhi (India).

Environmental protection is a hot discussed topic in industrialized countries, especially in Europe, whereas in developing countries such as Afghanistan this issue is not very popular due to poverty, war and the daily struggle to survive.

Since women and children are both vulnerable groups in our country, I will mostly focus on and consider these two groups. They face problems by any new evolution and changes in the country, Taliban regime is a clear example of it. If I get the chance to be a parliamentarian I would like to establish an advocacy group to lobby for women and children rights.

"A legitimated government comes from its parliament transparency”. I would like to focus on passage and approval of new and updated laws according to Afghan context. In addition I want to establish an active group who can transparently observe government work and fill the gaps present in some current laws of Afghanistan.