Ambassador’s Small Grants Program Supports Gender Equality in Afghanistan
Posted by Erin Hart / January 26, 2010
![Amb. Karl Eikenberry and Acting Minister Husn Ban Ghazanfar, Kabul, Jan. 20, 2010. [Embassy Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_0126_gender_equality_m.jpg)
About the Author: Erin Hart serves as Assistant Information Officer at U.S. Embassy Kabul.
Understanding the critical role of women in advancing Afghanistan’s economic and social development, on January 20, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry joined Acting Minister of Women's Affairs Husn Ban Ghazanfar to launch the Ambassador's Small Grants Program (AGSP) to support gender equality in Afghanistan.
The Ambassador's Small Grants Program is a three-year, $27,000,000 program to strengthen the skills of gender-related, Afghan-led NGO and civil society organizations. The program, which works with the Afghan Ministry of Women’s Affairs to provide technical assistance, also provides flexible, rapid response grants to non-governmental organizations that lack the financial management experience to receive grants directly from… more »
Posted under: Afghanistan
Afghanistan and Pakistan Regional Stabilization Strategy
Posted by Afghanistan & Pakistan Team / January 25, 2010
![Amb. Eikenberry shakes hand with shop owner in Kabul, Jan. 21, 2010. [AP Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_0122_eikenberry_afghanistan_m.jpg)
On January 28, the United Kingdom will host a conference on Afghanistan in London, where the international community will gather to align military and civilian resources behind an Afghan-led strategy. Secretary Clinton has made it a top priority to elevate diplomacy and development alongside defense in U.S. national security. Nowhere is this more urgent than in our efforts to defeat al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Last week, Special Representative Richard Holbrooke presented the Afghanistan and Pakistan Regional Stabilization Strategy to Congress. Ambassador Holbrooke said, “President Obama outlined a strategy in March 2009 that includes supporting the Afghan government's efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat… more »
Kapisa: “Brothers in Arms”
Posted by Dana Deree / January 19, 2010
![French recognize U.S. civilian and military personnel in Kapisa, Afghanistan. [State Dept. Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_0119_afghanistan_franc_m.jpg)
About the Author: Dana Deree serves as Senior Civilian Representative/ State Department Representative, Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Kapisa.
PRT Kapisa's civilian and military members have been with French troops during various hostile actions, including rocket attacks and fire fights. In recognition of the risks we take together, Brigadier General Druart presented us with his unit's combat patch as well as a certificate stating recipients have been committed with Task Force La Fayette in operations in "hostile territory" and that each is a "brother in arms."
In terms of counterinsurgency operations, we are working closely on corruption cases, other governance and rule of law issues, large and small development projects, engagement with tribal leaders, and reaching out to Afghans throughout the province. General Druart has repeatedly… more »
Posted under: Afghanistan
Agriculture: A Priority in Afghanistan
Posted by Afghanistan & Pakistan Team / January 12, 2010
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Discusses Afghanistan Trip | Photos
President Obama has identified restoring Afghanistan's once vibrant agriculture sector as the top U.S. government non-security priority in the country. This week Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack arrived in Afghanistan to meet with Afghan government officials, including Afghan Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Mohammad Asif Rahimi, and to see firsthand… more »
Posted under: Afghanistan
California Rotary Club Recognized for Efforts To Improve Education in Afghanistan
Posted by Anna P. Mussman / January 06, 2010
![Young Afghan children take lessons from their teacher in Kabul, Oct. 13, 2009. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_0106_kabul_school_m.jpg)
About the Author: Anna Mussman serves in the Office of Youth Programs in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).
Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai recently honored the La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club Foundation (LJGTRCF) for its tremendous impact on Jalalabad's education sector. La Jolla Rotarians have successfully implemented several education programs, including the ECA Bureau's Global Connections and Exchange (GCE) program. The GCE program reaches far and wide, involving students in Jalalabad and the states of California, Massachusetts and Washington.
In particular, the GCE program has made a huge difference for young Afghan women. For example, GCE brought 23 young… more »
Posted under: Afghanistan
U.S. Supports Agriculture in Afghanistan
Posted by Otto Gonzalez / December 17, 2009
![Men gather harvest in Shomali, a little north of Kabul, Afghanistan, July 18, 2005. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2009_1217_harvest_afghanistan_m.jpg)
Listen to Otto Gonzalez's interview with NPR.
About the Author: Otto Gonzalez serves as Senior Agriculture Advisor in the Office of the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Agriculture is not always first on peoples’ minds when they think of international affairs or winning the war in Afghanistan. But for our civilian efforts in Afghanistan, agriculture is our top non-security priority. As President Obama said, "We will ... focus our assistance in areas - such as agriculture - that can make an immediate impact… more »
Posted under: Afghanistan
A Whole of Government Approach
Posted by Afghanistan & Pakistan Team / December 17, 2009
We are delighted to introduce a new feature on the State Department’s DipNote Blog that will focus on our whole of government efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan. With an integrated team from 10 U.S. Government agencies, the State Department is moving forward right now with the President’s new civilian and military strategy for Afghanistan and with our strategic partnership with Pakistan.
Our objectives are clear. As the President reminded us all in his West Point speech, America was attacked on September 11th from this region, and the border areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the epicenter of global terrorism. The President reminded the American people and the world that we still have the same goal we’ve had… more »
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