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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 a separate course. The

contents of this book will be taught to the students of psychology and educational sciences of

Kabul University, following a training that will be held for the lecturers of the said faculty. The

translation costs of this work have been financed by Civil Peace Service (zfd) of German

International Cooperation (GIZ).

Certificated Distribution of GARF XII

The course of research methodology in social sciences (Afghan-German Research Forum

‘GARF XII’) trained 35 Kabul University top students this year. The course began on May 8 and

ended on June 3, 2017. After and evaluation, successful student received certificates in a

ceremony held on June 3.

July 2017

New Publications of National Centre for Policy Research

The report of Economic Department’s annual research of this centre on ‘Afghanistan as a

Trade and Transit Corridor: Opportunities and Challenges’ was published. The findings of

this research reveal that, the transformation of Afghanistan to trade and transit corridor will bring

the following opportunities for the country: improvement in the political and trade relations of

the regional countries, creating jobs opportunities, increasing government incomes, the provision

of gas and electricity, creating an opportunity for Afghanistan’s gas and electricity export. The

major challenges in this regard is that Afghanistan being a landlocked country which makes it

depend on neighboring countries’ transit and transport lines in order to reach international

markets.

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Changes in NCPR’s Senior Staff

Associate Professor Khairudin Khairkhah, the head of Peace and Conflict Studies Department of

this centre is appointed as the chancellor of Takhar University and said goodbye to NCPR

colleagues in June. Noorullah Nawai, program officer of the department is in charge of

departments’ affairs until a new head will be appointed. Likewise, the contract of Professer Dr

Hamidullah Noor Ebad as the Director of NCPR will end by the end of 2017.

Possibilities of Increasing the Income Sources of Afghanistan

Afghanistan Academy of Sciences held an academic conference on ‘Possibilities of Increasing

the Income Sources of Afghanistan’ on July 25. Researchers and Academist from Kabul

University and Academy of Science and government officials had attended this conference. Dr.

Hamidullah Noor Ebad, NCPR director, read his paper on ‘Informal Economic Activities and

Possibility of Sources of State Income Increase’ at the conference.

August 2017

Focus Group Discussion of Social Sciences Department

Social Sciences Department of NCPR held a focus group discussion on 15 August 2017 to

collect qualitative data for its research project on ‘Population Rise in Kabul City and Its Social

Consequences’. Ten experts including university lecturers and the members of related

governmental and nongovernmental organizations discussed the various aspects of the topic in

Conference Hall of this Center and shared their ideas and suggestions.

German- Afghan Research Forum Program in Parwan University

Research methodology training in social sciences was held for 36 male and female students of

Parwan University. It was a six day intensive program from 20th to 26th of August 2017. The

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basics and key points of research methodology, such as philosophy and purpose of research,

methods of data collection, and report writing were presented. The program was completed by

certificate distribution ceremony in the presence of Parwan University authorities on 26th August

2017.

September 2017

Publishing of GARF’s Small Project

German-Afghan Research Forum (GARF X) small research project “Kabul University Student’s

Interest in Information and Research Centers at this University” worked by 4 students of GARF

program was published. This program has been held yearly in Kabul and provincial Universities

through this centre since 2006. After completing the course, students are given the support to

work on small research projects.

Monograph Writing Program in Laghman University

6 days Monograph writing and seminar presentation Program was held for 42 senior students of

Literature, Information Sciences, Journalism and Education Faculties of Laghman University on

5th September 2017. The program taught the students how to conduct an academic research,

present an academic seminar, and write their monographs. It also addressed questions that

student face while preparing their monographs. The program was concluded with a certificates

distribution ceremony on September 12th, 2017.

Trip to Beijing, China

As per an invitation from palace museum, Prof. Farahmand, NCPR’s head of Social Sciences

department participated in a 2 days conference in Beijing China on “2017 Taihe Forum on the

Protection of World Ancient Civilizations” from 21st- 22nd September 2017, to explore ways of

protecting the world’s ancient civilizations. The participants of this forum were from 21

countries including universities professors, cultural and political authorities, historians,

archaeologists and museum affairs’ specialist, talked on legacy of ancient civilizations, value of

ancient civilizations in contemporary world and archeological observations of ancient

civilizations and the Silk Road. It is worth mentioning that the 2017 research project of NCPR’s

Social Sciences Department is also about “The circumstance of cultural heritage preservation in

the country”.

German- Afghan Research Forum “GARF” Program in Balkh University

6 days research methodology training program in social sciences was held for 40 male and

female students of Balkh University in central library’s hall of the said University on 26th

September 2017. In this program the basic and key points of research methodology like

philosophy of research, purpose of research, specialties of research, usage of computer and

methods of statistic in research, methods of data collection, sampling in scientific research,

basics of sampling, design research and report writing were taught. The program was

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completed by certificates distribution ceremony in presence of authorized representative of

Balkh University’s on 5th October 2017.

October / November 2017

New Publications of National Centre for Policy Research

The report of Peace and Conflict Studies’ research project on ‘The Role of Regional Countries

on Afghanistan’s Peacebuilding’ was published. Findings of this research show that Pakistan

tops other regional countries in terms of being the most influential country on peace as well as

insecurity in Afghanistan, followed by India, Suadi Arabia, Iran, Russia and China. Dr. Noor

Ebad the director of NCPR, text book ‘International Economic Law’ was printed. A subject

under the same or similar titles is taught in the faculty of Law and Political Sciences at both

under and postgraduate levels. The new publication will meet the needs felt due to lack of text

books in the field.

Research Methodology Training Program “GARF”

A research methodology in social sciences training was held at Konrad Adenauer Conference

Hall. The course continued for sixteen days, October 16 to November 6, from 1:00- 4:00 PM and

trained 15 members and lecturers of Ministry of Education and Academy of Sciences. The

course aimed to familiarize the participants in scientific research extensively. The course was

concluded with certificate distribution ceremony with attendance of director and head of

departments of this centre on 12 November 2017.

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December 2017

Nonviolent Communication Training (2017)

A series of workshops of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies of this Center to train

students in nonviolent communication in 2017 is completed. This training was part of the

department`s program to promote peace and helping for peaceful resolution of conflicts in

universities.

13 Workshops for Selecting 2018 Research Topics

Departments of Social Sciences , Law and Political Sciences, Economics and Peace and Conflict Studies

of NCPR ,held workshops in order to choose 2018 research topics consecutively on 17th , 19th and 20th of

December 2017. Participants of these workshop discussed and delivered their opinions regarding to the

titles suggested by every department of this center , in conclusion of these workshops participants voted

for the titles based on priority and relevance.

In these workshops 110 experts consisting of lawyers, economist, social scientist, member of

governmental and non –governmental organization including Kabul University professors and researchers

of academy of sciences participated. After evaluating of the selection forms, the research topic of each

department of this center will be selected.

The NCPR Research and Scientific Publication

1. The recent three years published research projects :

A. Department of law and Political Sciences

Role of Law in Afghanistan and How to Improve it, 2n Ed.,(2017)

Circumstances o Election System in Afghanistan after the Adoption of 2004 Constitution, (2017)

Administrative Reforms and the Legitimacy of Regime, (2015)

B. Department of Economics

Causes of Poverty in Afghanistan and Possible Ways of Reducing it,3rd Ed., (2017)

Afghanistan as a Trade an Transit Corridor : Opportunities and Challenges, (2017)

Enhancement of Revenue Sources of Afghan Government: Opportunities and Challenges, (2015)

C. Department of Social Sciences

Kabul University Students Interest in Information and Research Centers at this University, (2017)

Causes of Violence Increment Against Women in Afghanistan, (2016)

Administrative Corruption and Its Social Effects in Afghanistan, (2015)

D. Department of Peace and Conflict

The Role of Regional Countries in Peace building in Afghanistan, (2017)

High Peace Council : Activities and Achievements, (2016)

Role of Media in Peace building

2. Other Publication

International Economic Law: International Trade Law and International Finance Law,

Author: Hamidullah Noor Ebad,(2017)

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Human Capital and Its Role in Economic Growth of Afghanistan, Researcher: Abdul Malek

Halimi,(2017)

An Investigation of (PTSD) Among Afghanistan Teenagers and Preliminary Analysis of Their

Needs. Researcher: Khairuddin Khairkhah,(2017)

Building Happiness, Resilience and Motivation in Adolescents : a Positive Psychology Curricula

for Wellbeing, translated in Dari,(2017)

NCPR Essay Collection,2017

Regional Economics ,Author : Hamidullah Noor Ebad,(2016)

Macroeconomics Principles, Author : Hamidullah Noor Ebad,(2016)

NCPR Essay Collection,2016

My Life and Struggle ,Autobiography of Badshah Khan, translated in Dari and Pashto ,(2015)

Life Skill, Authors : Ahmadi and Rezwani,(2015)

Being Genuine : Stop Being Nice, Start Being Real, translated in Dari,(2015)