StayIN – Education is here to stay!

Symposium

In summer 2023, StayIN, in cooperation with our local partner organisation MMO, held a high-level symposium with representatives of the Afghan business and political communities. This symposium marked the conclusion of a comprehensive needs assessment with regard to the lack of qualified workers in Afghanistan and the simultaneous establishment of a far-reaching network of supporters.

Initial situation

The economic situation in Afghanistan is undoubtedly difficult. Before the Taliban came to power, around 80% of the state budget was contributed by foreign sources - these payments have almost completely stopped. Many qualified workers have left the country - understandable due to the country's perceived limited future prospects. This migration further weakens the economy. It is therefore important for the development of a sustainable economy to train qualified workers, especially in the professions from the lack of which Afghan companies are currently suffering the most.

Goals and solution

StayIN aims to establish a dual training system based on the German model in Afghanistan in order to solve this problem (see also the separate project “Establishing the dual training system in Afghanistan).

In order to achieve this long-term goal, StayIN first had to perform two tasks – a qualified analysis of needs and the establishment of a network of local Afghan partners. The symposium in Kabul only represented the conclusion of this work.

A needs analysis primarily carried out by our local cooperation partner MMO based on interviews with industrial companies showed that the lack of qualified industrial electricians is currently a serious problem for industrial companies in Afghanistan. As a result, StayIN will, as a first step, begin to establish a training system for industrial electricians.

The visit of two German StayIN members to Kabul also made it possible to obtain broad support for the project through preparatory discussions with representatives from the government and industry associations.

The trip culminated in the symposium held in Kabul at the Government Palace. The aim of the symposium was to explain the concept of the dual system to around 500 participants from industry, authorities, NGOs and associations, and to ensure the cooperation of all relevant parties. To visibly signal this support, the symposium included the signing of a series of cooperation agreements aimed at achieving common goals.

The symposium thus represented the successful end of the first important step in establishing a dual training system in Afghanistan – agreement on the concept and goals as well as local acceptance and cooperation.

Partner

Our local partner in Afghanistan is the Mission Mind Organization, a registered NGO with a focus on the professional training and further education of specialized workers, managers and entrepreneurs. A particular focus of MMO work is on women – they are to be supported in establishing their careers and strengthening their social position. Young people in general are also supported so that they can meet social requirements and continue their professional training.

Mission Mind Organization is a purely voluntary organization with no permanent employees. Around 100 volunteer members are currently involved in MMO work. MMO is financed exclusively through funding from the projects and donations from abroad. Membership fees are not charged.

Projects carried out by MMO in Afghanistan in the past have included, among others, winter campaigns for humanitarian aid, collection of winter clothing, training (writing training, project monitoring) and conference implementation (conference “Afghan Women 1919-2022”).