Civic Engagement at AUAF

The American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) is proud to have joined the Talloires Network. Below are a few updates on AUAF’s recent activities:

Under the leadership of University Professor Jeffrey Goldfarb, AUAF has integrated two key courses into its core curriculum: Civic Engagement and the Politics of Small Things and Thinking of Democracy. These courses are accompanied by video supplements designed to inform public dialogue on civic engagement in repressive contexts. They are currently being be curated to provide publicly available excerpts that will contribute to a wider debate on the subject.

AUAF has extended also its civic engagement initiatives to its wider ecosystem. In Fall 2024, it launched an online version of the course Civic Engagement in Repressive Contexts through the Open Society University Network (OSUN). This course is set to become a recurring part of OSUN’s Open Online Course offerings, expanding AUAF’s reach in promoting civic education.

Looking ahead, the Civic Engagement team at AUAF will consolidate these courses and explore ways to further utilize existing video resources to enhance the student experience. There is also a focus on incorporating civic engagement principles into other courses and co-curricular activities as part of AUAF’s broader student success programming. With AUAF students and alumni leading grassroots initiatives to address educational gaps for women and girls in their communities, the expanded civic engagement program will guide and coach students to strengthen their community-led initiatives, particularly in repressive contexts.

Alliance for the Education of Women in Afghanistan (AEWA)

In 2023, AUAF established the Alliance for the Education of Women in Afghanistan (AEWA) with support from Education for Humanity at Arizona State University, the Center for South Asia at Stanford University, UNHCR, and Right to Learn. Comptising 75 organisations, AEWA aims to provide quality educational opportunities for women and girls in Afghanistan, fostering empowerment and contributing to a more equitable society. Initially focused on mapping initiatives that provide access to education and remove barriers for Afghan women and girls, AEWA is now working to ensure that education offered by its members meets high-quality standards.

In early September, AEWA held its second stakeholders consultation on quality standards, paving the way for the pilot phase, which will begin in October with five participating organizations. These quality standards will form the foundation of a peer recognition system designed to ensure educational consistency and excellence across AEWA members. AEWA has secured funding by the US State Department to support its activities in four areas: credentialing, quality standards, advocacy and mapping. More information on AEWA can be found here: www.aewa.org.af

Transition to Success (TTS) Program Expansion

AUAF is excited to announce that the U.S. Department of State has awarded additional funding to expand its Transition to Success (TTS) Program. The TTS Program is an initiative that prepares high school-aged girls in Afghanistan for university admission by providing them with essential skills in English, STEM, and leadership. In the next two years, AUAF will be able to serve an additional 650 high school-aged girls across Afghanistan, preparing them for university admission. The TTS Program plays a critical role in equipping girls, especially from marginalized communities, with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in higher education and beyond.