U.S. Ambassador James B. Cunningham Leads Discussion with Young Afghan Leaders

February 10, 2013

Kabul - On February 10, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan James B. Cunningham met with young and emerging Afghan leaders and professionals to share ideas on the ways the U.S. government can support the youth of Afghanistan.

Ambassador Cunningham, opening the discussion, said, "I want the chance to talk with a number of people in your age group, the young people of Afghanistan. I am interested in hearing from you, what you think about where your country is, where it is going, what are the things you are most concerned about. Are you pessimistic, optimistic or don't know? And what you think needs to be done to give Afghanistan the best chance for success in the future."

Highlighting the long-term commitment of the United States to Afghan youth, where nearly 68% of the nation's population is under the age of 25, Ambassador Cunningham spoke about how young people are at the forefront of Afghanistan's future, saying to the group, "You are of the age and generation which is going to be in the real sense, building and creating your country in the years ahead."

"When I speak to University students, which I did a couple of weeks ago, I am struck by the energy of the youth of Afghanistan, and their thirst for knowledge, education, and development. Their excitement on one hand and their concern on the other about where their country is going and what is going to happen in the future."

Ambassador Cunningham also said that Afghanistan has achieved 50 years' worth of progress in just the past ten years. He said, "Afghans should take pride in what they have achieved, and pride in what they will achieve in the future. You have created a future for Afghanistan that was inconceivable ten years ago."

The discussion underscores U.S. commitment to empower young people - in Afghanistan, and around the world - to find solutions to shared challenges and give them a voice in the future of their countries.

More information about Embassy activities can be found at http://kabul.usembassy.gov

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