National Centre for Policy Research Kabul University Activities 2017
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1 National Centre for Policy Research Kabul University Activities 2017 January 2017 Workshops for Selecting NCPR Research Topics in 2017 Departments of Peace and Conflict Studies and Law and Political Sciences of this centre held workshops in order to choose the research topics for 2017 on 8th and 10th of January 2017. In these workshops 40 experts of law and sociology from governmental and non-governmental organizations, Kabul University professors and academy of sciences members participated. The following topics will be researched by the mentioned two departments of this centre in 2017. The Components of Upbringing Peace Education System and Its Circumstance in Afghanistan (peace and Conflict Studies Department) Mining Law and Its Observance in Afghanistan (Law and Political Sciences Department) Staff Capacity Building Mr. Noorullah Nawai, program officer of Peace and Conflict Studies Department of this center participated in a Nonviolent Communication (NVC) training in Bangalore, India from 17th to 21st of January 2017. The program had been organized by a group of Indian peace makers and trainers through Paradigms Unlimited, and the trainings were led by international certified trainers from India, Germany, the UK and Denmark. The aim of the training was to deepen the 2 experience and learning of NVC for the participants as well as provide a space of learning and exchange for people from different countries. Mr. Nawai is on his way to getting certified through certification process of Center for Nonviolent Communication, and this training provided him wider exposure to various application of NVC. February 2017 Workshops for Selecting NCPR Research Topics in 2017 Departments of Economics and Social Sciences of this centre held workshops in order to choose the research topics for 2017 on 27th and 28th of February 2017. In these workshops 48 economists and sociologists from governmental and non- governmental organizations, Kabul University professors and members of academy of sciences participated. The following topics will be researched by the mentioned two departments of this centre in 2017. Consumer Rights and its Observance in Afghanistan (Economic Department). The Circumstance of Cultural Heritage Preservation in the Country (Social Sciences Department). March 2017 Publication and Launching of Causes of Violence Increment Against Women in Afghanistan The findings of research project of Social Sciences Department of this centre, ‘Causes of Violence Increment Against Women in Afghanistan’ was published. The report was launched in a ceremony on the occasion of 8th of March “International Women’s Day” which was held by 3 NCPR, Kabul University and other partners in Kabul University’s auditorium. The findings of this research reveals that, harmful traditional practices in society, unhealthy upbringing of children, underage and forced marriages, illiteracy, overpopulated families, impacts of mass media are the most important factors for the increment of violence against women in Afghanistan. New Publications of National Centre for Policy Research The book of “An Investigation of (PTSD) Among Afghanistan Teenagers and Preliminary Analysis of Their Needs”, master’s thesis of Associate Professor, Khairuddin Khairkhah, the head of NCPR’s Peace and Conflict Studies Department was published. The findings of this research sheds light on the factors contributing to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder “PTSD” in Afghanistan context and the consequences of PTSD prevalence among Afghan adolescents. NCPR translated the content of the research in Dari and published it, to contribute to the healing of those affected by “PTSD”. Roundtable on “Promotion of Agriculture Sector in the Light of Provincial Business Agenda” National Centre for Policy Research, the Center of International Enterprise and Afghanistan’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry held a roundtable on “Promotion of Agriculture Sector in the Light of Provincial Business Agenda” in Kabul Continental Hotel on March 29. The roundtable discussed the role of agriculture in national economy, challenges facing this sector and how to utilize the available opportunities. Government officials and representatives from private sectors had participated in this roundtable. 4 April 2017 Educational Program for Top Students of Kabul University In order to build capacities of Kabul University top students, NCPR is holding Research Methodology Course (German-Afghan Research Forum - GARF XII) for 35 students of second and third year of social sciences faculties of Kabul University. This workshop started on 15th of April 2017 and continued for four part time weeks, in Konrad Adenauer Conference Hall of this centre. In this program the basic Principles of Research Methodology including types of scientific research, problems, importance and goals of research, methods of data collection, sampling methods, research design, quantitative and qualitative analysis and how to write a scientific research report were taught. After completing the course, students are required to work on simple research projects. 5 New Publications of National Centre for Policy Research The findings of research project of Law and Political Sciences Department of this centre, which was conducted on “Circumstances of Election System in Afghanistan After the Adoption of 2004 Constitution” was published. The findings of the research reveal that, these elections in Afghanistan have not been without problems that vary from violation of law to insecurity, foreign interference, influence of warlords and local commanders and mismanagement by Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan. Monograph Writing and Seminar Presentation Program at Kabul University NCPR held the first round of monograph writing and seminar presentation programs for more than 125 students of faculties of Law and Political Sciences, Social Sciences and Educational Sciences of Kabul University. These programs are held in the afternoons at each mentioned faculties from April 15 till April 26, 2017. The programs aim to train the students in how to write their final papers scientifically and how to present them. 6 May 2017 Workshop on Nonviolent Communication (NVC) The Department of Peace and Conflict Studies (PCSD) of NCPR is holding a series of workshops on Nonviolent Communication for university students. These workshops aim at training students in skills that enable them to develop positive and peaceful behaviors and attitudes. The first round of workshops began on May 6 where 14 people are trained, and the next rounds will continue throughout the year after a break for the month of Ramadan. Totally 60 students will benefit from these workshops this year. Monograph Writing and Seminar Presentation Program at Kabul University NCPR held the second round of monograph writing and seminar presentation programs for more than 35 students of Kabul University’s Economic Faculty. The program was held in the afternoons at Social Sciences Faculty from 13th- 24th May 2017. The program aim of training the students in how to write their final papers scientifically and how to present them. 7 UNAMA’s Interest in NCPR’s Works Ms. Lenny Linke, Official at UNAMA, visited National Center for Policy Research on May 15, 2017. In a meeting with Dr. Hamidullah Noor Ebad, Ms Liny expressed UNAMA’s interest in NCPR work and highlighted the importance of research in Afghanistan’s development and peace. Financing the Print Cost of Foreign Language Journal Based on the request of Foreign Languages Departments of Kabul University Literature Faculty, NCPR financed the printing costs of their periodic journal throughout 2017. Participation in Book Exhibition A book exhibition was held in Kabul University central library hall May 15 – 20, 2017. NCPR took part in this book exhibition with books and research reports that, it has published in recent ten years. Professors, students and other visitors welcomed NCPR’s publication. Conference on the Impact of US Presidential Election on Afghanistan The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Office in Kabul, in cooperation with the National Centre for Policy Research, held a one day conference on “The Impact of US Presidential Election on Afghanistan” on May 17th. University professors and students, members of Afghanistan Academy of Sciences and civil society attended the conference which was held in Kabul Star Hotel. The possible scenarios and impacts of the US new policy towards Afghanistan was discussed in the conference, and the main speaker of the conference defined Afghanistan conflict as a regional and international conflict dismissing the views which consider it as Afghans internal conflict. 8 June 2017 New Publications of National Centre for Policy Research “Human Capital and Its Role in Afghanistan’s Economic Growth”, an academic work by Associate Professor Abdul Malik Halimi, the head of Economic Department of this center was published. The findings of this research shows that the relevant organizations tasked with accumulation and growth of human capital have done considerable works in terms of quantity, while qualitatively there is a huge task ahead to be accomplished in the area of human capital growth. Peace and Conflict Studies Department of this center published the Dari Translation of ‘Building Happiness, Resilience and Motivation in Adolescents: a Positive Psychology Curricula for Wellbeing’. The work, authored by Ruth MacConvile and Tina Rae, has been written based on Positive Psychology principles and methods to be taught in schools as