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CSFilm presents at NATO Counter-Summit for Peace and Economic Justice – Chicago, May 18th and 19th

May 18, 2012
NATO Counter Summit: Arts Panel

CSFilm will present at two events in Chicago at the  NATO Counter-Summit for Peace and Economic Justice.

Friday, May 18th at 7pm
The Molly Cafe, inside The People’s Church
People’s Church: 941 W Lawrence, Chicago, Illinois

Community Supported Film will present The Fruit of Our Labor and the newly released Compassion Campaign for Afghan Civilians, along with American Friends Service Committee’s screening and discussion of If I Had a Trillion Dollars.  Read more here.

Windows and Mirrors
Saturday, May 19th: 11am – 12:45pm
People’s Church: 941 W Lawrence, Chicago, Illinois

CSFilm Program Coordinator Ali Pinschmidt, Afghan Program Coordinator Jamal Aram – joining by live Video Conference – and one other Afghan development specialist (TBA),  will join the American Friends Service Committee and their panelists of mural artists to illustrate the importance of including Afghan Civil Society perspectives in conversations about the short- and long-term future of Afghanistan.  Featuring Afghan-made films from the collection The Fruit of Our Labor and murals and drawings from the Windows and Mirrors exhibit about the Afghan war, this workshop will use the power of the arts to create a bridge between the people of our countries.  CSFilm will also discuss its recently released Compassion Campaign for Afghan Civilians.

 

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Video of Congressional Briefing – Launch of Compassion Campaign for Afghan Civilians

May 15, 2012

Community Supported Film, in partnership with American Friends Service Committee and 3P Human Security, presented a briefing to Members of Congress that included a live video conference with Afghan NGO directors and CSFilm trainees/filmmakers, statements by Members of Congress, a screening of a selection of the Afghan–made documentary shorts from the The Fruit of Our Labor, and a panel discussion.

“The tendency in Washington is to think we know everything and we know what is best for everybody and the reality is we don’t. We don’t listen all the time. It is important to hear the perspectives of the people who are living there.”
- U.S. Representative James McGovern.

Watch these clips to hear from Afghans, Members of Congress and regional experts about the way forward in Afghanistan:

Video 1: The Afghan Experience, 3 min

Zahra Sadat grew up in Iran as a refugee – just like 1 million other Afghans who had to flee the civil war. After returning to Afghanistan post-Taliban she found her identity as an Afghan and her passion as a journalist and a leader in cultural development.

“After the fall of the Taliban I returned to Afghanistan and found my identity – which I couldn’t do as a refugee in Iran.” 
- Zahra Sadat

Jamal Aram, Program Coordinator for CSFilm and assistant trainer and translator, discusses his life under three different regimes – from enduring the threat of rocket attacks as a young student, to the relative safety but oppression under the Taliban, to the dawn of new opportunities with the fall of the Taliban.

I’ve experienced three different regimes.  I went to school during the civil war.  Most of the time classes were dismissed because of all the rockets fired all over the city. … When the international community moved into afghanistan new windows of opportunity opened for Afghans and especially for young Afghans from my generation.
- Jamal Aram, filmmaker and Coordinator for Community Supported Film

Video 2: Statement by Congressman James McGovern, 1 min

Representative James McGovern (D-MA) shares his gratitude for the opportunity to hear directly from Afghans and emphasizes that “those of us who want to see an end to war are not saying let’s abandon the people of Afghanistan.”

“Afghans that I work and engage with are asking for a responsible and sustained engagement by the international community.  Afghans fear that the international community will abandon them to another blood bath and humanitarian crisis.”
- Michael Sheridan, Founder and Director of Community Supported Film

Video 3: The Third Way, 1 min


Lisa Schirch, director of 3P Human Security, recommends “the third way” in Afghanistan, one that focuses on population protection instead of combat and includes civil society in all peace negotiations.

“There is another path that we are not looking at, that does not abandon Afghanstan and does not think that waging war is the only way.”
- Lisa Schirch, Director, 3P Human Security

Video 4: Recommendations for the way forward, 3 min

Zahra Sadat suggests that American troops shift from a war against insurgents to maintaining stability and involving everyone in peace negotiations. Jamal Aram agrees that more attention needs to be paid to peace talks that include the Afghan government, the international community, the Taliban, and neighboring countries. Lisa Schirch substantiates that many Afghans desire a protection force – one that is smaller, international, and more legitimate in the Muslim world. Peter Lems agrees that dialogue between all parties is necessary and must include Afghan Civil Society.

“More attention should be given to peace talks.  The Afghan government should take the initiative, backed by the international community, to negotiate with the opposition and with the neighboring countries.”
- Jamal Aram, filmmaker and Coordinator for Community Supported Film

Video 5: What we can do, 2:30 min

Lisa Schirch calls for Congressional hearings and oversight of the mission in Afghanistan, which is being articulated and implemented differently by the White House, Congress, the departments of State and Defense and the CIA. Peter Lems emphasizes that the military budget should be reduced to take away the incentive to use military force as the first response rather than as a last resort.

Video 6: CSFilm’s Compassion Campaign, 1:30 min

An articulation by Michael Sheridan of the “Compassion Campaign for Afghan Civilians.” Beyond the important conversation about getting troops out and bringing money home, Sheridan urges the audience to prioritize strategies that will prevent renewed civil war and a humanitarian crisis.

“In our eagerness to correct the mistakes of the last 10 years, we should not call for action that we will regret 10 years from now because it left Afghans vulnerable to extremists, renewed civil war and a humanitarian disaster.”
– Michael Sheridan, Founder and Director of Community Supported Film

Panel Participants

Jamal Aram, Filmmaker and Program Coordinator, Community Supported Film. Mr. Aram was born in Kabul and went to elementary and high school during the civil war and Taliban regime. During his career he has worked as a research assistant and translator at Afghan Public Policy Research Organization, with the Agha Khan Foundation and other development and microfinance institutions.

Peter Lems,Program Director for Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran at the American Friends Service Committee, designs, coordinates, and implements educational and advocacy campaigns around U.S. foreign policy.

 

Zahra Sadat, Director, Hands of Health, [link] from The Fruit of Our Labor [link] collection. Ms. Sadat was a refugee in Iran during the civil war and Taliban regime. Since returning to Afghanistan she has worked as a freelance journalist and founded the Opening Society Organization that works on cultural development.

 Lisa Schirch, Director of 3P Human Security – a partnership of organizations connecting policymakers with global civil society networks – facilitates civil-military dialogue and provides a peacebuilding lens on current policy issues. Ms. Schirch’s recent study, Designing a Comprehensive Peace Process for Afghanistan provides evidence of the importance of including Afghan Civil Society in building a stable and peaceful Afghanistan.

Michael Sheridan, Director and Founder of Community Supported Film – has worked in Afghanistan over the last 3 years to train and mentor Afghans in documentary filmmaking. The focus of the stories and the collection of short films produced, The Fruit of Our Labor, is on local economic and social development issues.

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Compassion Campaign for Afghan Civilians

May 14, 2012

 The Campaign,  The Action Plan,  Films to Fuel our Compassion

“Those of us who want to see an end to war are not saying let’s abandon the people of Afghanistan.”
– U.S. Representative James McGovern.

 The Campaign

End the War by Securing the Peace

The Compassion Campaign for Afghan Civilians asks you to help make sure that policymakers prioritize the prevention of renewed civil war and a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

At a time when the majority of the American public is in favor of bringing American troops home, as are we, it is imperative that we first honor our moral responsibility to assure enduring peace for Afghans.  As disappointed as we may be in US policy over the last ten years in Afghanistan, we must not look back in another ten years with shame because we turned our back on a humanitarian crisis.  

Most Afghans fear renewed civil war if the international community’s withdrawal leaves a security vacuum. While seeking an end to the war, it is the US’s obligation, as the dominant force in the region, to withdraw in a way that does not once again leave Afghans vulnerable to extremists and caught in the middle of a geopolitical conflict.

“The story of real people and their lives in Afghanistan has to be told.  All we get here on the Hill is body counts and dollars spent.  Thank you for enabling them to tell their stories.”
– Charles Dambach, Congressman Garamendi’s Chief of Staff

 The Action Plan

3 ways to take action

Our goal is to bring concerned constituents and peace activists together to pressure congress, NATO and the UN to commit to the long-term stability and development of Afghanistan so that civilians are not once again left in the middle of a geopolitical conflict.

Please join other concerned people by taking action to prioritize the safety of Afghans, and help protect gains made by development initiatives.  

Articulate these requests to your Members of Congress, opinion makers, activists and local newspapers:

End the War by Securing the Peace

  • End NATO’s combat mission and shift to a population protection strategy
  • Replace NATO forces with a long-term international and culturally sensitive stabilization force
  • Maintain international counter-terrorism special forces to help Afghan’s combat extremists who are terrorizing Afghan civilians
  • Demand that the UN convene all-party regional peace talks to end the geopolitical conflict
  • Sustainably fund cost-effective and locally managed economic, social, political and security projects that have proven their value and efficacy and are essential for long-term peace and prosperity in Afghanistan.
“American troops … are fighting a war rather than creating stability and peace.  [The US] should focus their attention more on diplomatic approaches and dialogue rather than fighting a war.”
- Zahra Sadat, Afghan NGO leader and maker of the film Hands of Health, from The Fruit of Our Labor collection

 Watch and Share the Afghan Experience

 Experience the Real Afghanistan

The Afghan-made Fruit of Our Labor films provide a unique opportunity to bring Afghan perspectives to the conversation. The films, seven covering women’s issues, cause audiences to reassess their views of Afghans, the way forward in Afghanistan and the role of the international community in this complex situation.

Working with campaign collaborators, including 3P Human Security, American Friends Service Committee and Women’s Action for New Directions, CSFilm is organizing a ‘screen and discuss’ tour to 12 states. The campaign will also feature a series of broadcasts and outreach via the press and social media.

We need you to organize a screening in your community.  Please see the Organizers page for all the necessary tools and materials.  Use these  films to bring Afghan voices to the conversation and to help bring the war in Afghanistan to an end responsibly.

Watch excerpts from the Congressional Briefing that launched the Compassion Campaign – including Afghans sharing their perspectives.

“In our eagerness to correct the mistakes of the last 10 years, we should not call for action that we will regret 10 years from now because it left Afghans vulnerable to extremists, renewed civil war and a humanitarian disaster.”
– Michael Sheridan, Founder and Director of Community Supported Film

For further insights:

Designing a Comprehensive Peace Process for Afghanistan, 3P Human Security

The Future of Afghanistan, The United States Institute of Peace

Afghanistan Beyond 2014, The World Bank 

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Flash flood kills 28 in Afghan north

May 11, 2012

Agence France-Presse, KABUL, May 11, 2012 (AFP) – Flash floods swept through four villages in northern Afghanistan, killing 28 people and leaving 20 others missing, officials said Friday.

“Heavy rains overnight triggered flood waters that broke through four mountainous villages in Ishkamish district of northern Takhar province,” Takhar provincial governor, Abdul Jabar Taqwa, told AFP.

“It hit around midnight and it was very powerful,” said Taqwa.

“We have 28 deaths in Ishkamish district and 20 others are believed to be missing,” the governor said.

“It is a big disaster he added,” warning that the death toll was likely to rise.

Dozens of houses were washed away and roads blocked, he added. The flood-hit areas are accessible only by air.

Rescuers are trying to reach the area by helicopter, taking food, blankets and tents to the victims.

On Monday, at least 26 people were killed and more than 100 missing after flash floods hit a wedding party and three villages in Sari Pul province.

Afghanistan’s harshest winter in 15 years saw unusually heavy snowfalls, and experts predicted melting snow was likely to cause floods in the mountainous north in the spring.

According to IMMAP, a data-analysis and mapping company, 15 percent of Afghanistan’s population is at high risk of being affected.

In March, the UN humanitarian office for Afghanistan said at least 145 people were missing and “presumed dead” after an avalanche hit a remote village in northeastern Badakhshan province.

Despite the billions of dollars in aid from the international community after the collapse of the Taliban, Afghanistan remains among the poorest nations in the world, weakened by decades of conflict.

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5.6 million returned refugees, another 5 million still in neighboring countries, and 500,000 internally displaced

May 11, 2012

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Reiterates Commitment to the Afghan People

(Kabul/New York, 11 May 2012) Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos, reconfirmed the commitment of the humanitarian community to the people of Afghanistan at the end of her four-day visit.

“Afghans in acute need require timely relief and assistance, delivered impartially. We are and will continue to deliver humanitarian assistance where it is needed, but clearly this alone is not enough,” she stated.

More than a third of Afghanistan’s population has personal experience of displacement, including the 5.6 million returned refugees, another 5 million still in neighboring countries, and 500,000 internally displaced as a result of on-going conflict, recurrent and debilitating natural disasters, and the lack of rural development.

In parallel to humanitarian efforts, longer-term investment in human development and prevention measures are urgently needed to reduce vulnerability in the face of these challenges.

“We must also invest in efforts to strengthen the resiliency of communities themselves and the capacity of service delivery institutions,” she added.

“Much has been achieved over the past decade but Afghanistan remains near the bottom ranking of all human development indicators. There is still much more to do,” she said.

During the transition period the humanitarian needs of the people in Afghanistan must not be forgotten.

“Security is a priority. But for the Afghans I met, security is not just about physical security. It is also about the importance of investment in human development and the delivery of critical functions such as livelihoods, primary education, healthcare and the functioning rule of law. They need and deserve our continued support,” Ms. Amos stated.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs:

To learn more about OCHA’s activities, please visit http://unocha.org/

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