Afghan Representatives Meeting in Leeds: Wednesday 01 December 2010

Venue: Shines Centre, Leeds. Date & Time: 01 Dec 10 & 13.30 – 15.30

Participants:

24 Afghan representatives (representing various provinces of Afghanistan, different Diaspora groups and the unions of Hazara, Tajik and Pashtuns)

Agenda:  

  • To develop a sustainable and reliable Afghan union for all Afghans residing in Leeds
  • To define and describe problems in developing a single union for Afghans in Leeds
  • To discuss alternatives to merge and join all unions under the umbrella of one Afghan union in Leeds
  • To discuss on the alternatives of becoming an advocate representing good picture of Afghanistan

Summary of the meeting:

Despite the terrible weather condition and traffic problems in Leeds, 24 Afghans from 24 provinces of Afghanistan representing four unions and various Afghan communities in Leeds participated in Shines Centre in Leeds on 01 December 2010.

The gathering started at 1:30pm with the initiative by Sayed Abbas Saidi, who provided inputs on the progress he had so far in the development of the only Afghan centre for Afghans residing in Leeds. Participants provided their inputs and discussed in very peaceful environment stating their problems and solutions to them.  They thanked the Afghan Action in providing logistical and financial support in making this event a reality. The policy draft and legal executive summary for the union have been developed. Everyone else in the room also showed positive response to the development of a single union that could help them be represented in Leeds and UK and also reach to their problems. The summary points are as below:

  • They agreed on an individual union for Afghans to be established as soon as possible
  • They realized that different unions cannot manage all the affairs and cannot financially afford it
  • They discussed that there are individual, group, community and ethical issues that remain barriers in the development of the union. However, they agreed that an individual Afghan union in Leeds representing all the ethnic groups from Afghanistan in Leeds must be established, which will not only be effective in representing the positive image of Afghanistan and/ or reach to Afghans needs in Leeds, but it will also be a modal and exemplary union for other diasporas and multiple Afghan unions in UK.
  • They showed commitment towards the establishment of the union and development of its leadership.
  • They accepted that the leadership should be run by young, energetic and passionate Afghans representing the positive image of Afghans residing in Leeds and the Afghanistan in UK.
  • They agreed that this union must look after all the problems and social needs of the 2000 Afghans residing in Leeds.
  • This union will be run by Afghan youth but it will be supervised and overseen by some elders of the Afghan communities.
  • The other Afghan communities and Afghan unions in Leeds will respect the values of this union and will help it run successfully.
  • Afghan women participation in social events, trainings to Afghan women and organizing social events for Afghan teenagers and similar like other issues will be considered as the priority of this union activities once it is established and functional.

Action Plan:

  • There should be another big event held to discuss further on the confirmation by all and running of the election to elect the leaders for the union and make the union officially recognized and registered. Afghan Action is requested to further support Afghans in Leeds as they have been doing to organize this event in the near future.
  • There will be an election after the second planned meeting that will elect the leadership for the single union of Afghans representing all Afghans in Leeds
  • Other activities to be done by this union will be developed with the annual action plans for the union once it is established and functional.