Keynote speech by MR. NADER YAMA
Deputy Minister for Policy and Technical Affairs,
Independent Directorate of Local Governance, Afghanistan
At the second session “Role of Civil Society in Shaping Narratives” at the 2nd meeting of
Beyond Boundaries, Pakistan- Afghanistan second Regional Civil Society Groups in Kabul
02 December, 2015
Respected dear members of Pakistan Delegation, and my dear Fellow Afghans, I wish you all a very warm welcome this afternoon.
It is my true honour to be here. The today… would have not been possible, without – all our investment. We are those of 30 million Afghans and 160 Million Pakistan citizens who rose from ashes, and enabled to be here. Together we say no to all the upheavals, atrocities, devastation.
I will speak today not as a Government Representative, but as a Citizen. A citizen, who suffered near death experience from civil-war, survived, was raised in orphanage, and withstood all storms.
No matter what, we must build our States and create hope. Even one man or woman, standing alone can make a difference.
Today, I will try to focus on a reality of this country that is overshadowed by current harsh circumstances; a reality that would make this part of the world a better place for its citizens, who aspire to live in peace and harmony. Ours is a region with so much of beauty and richness.
Let me thank you for your passion, believe, courage to connect and try to shape the narrative.I know that it is not easy; we all daily suffer, but keep making progress, disappointed….yet keep moving and taking others along to believe that things are possible…and we would make it possible.
I would like you all to know that, Peace and Prosperity is possible. We the citizens should believe in our strengths, values, and dedication to make it happen; we do suffer and yet do deliver. We passed the storms…and future will not be easy. But we are resilient and will face the storms that will come our way. We will remedy the upheavals that are out there trying to pressurize and limit us.
We need to trust ourselves, believe in what we do…keep up the positive perspective, be together, tolerate what makes us suffer the most, we need to go and shake hands with those who revile us. We want to make them understand that we do have a much bigger picture and vision for our future. Such rivals are so petty and would and should not derail us from what we believe and committing ourselves for years to come.
Today and years to come will not be easy. You are the hope and with enablers coming together we will make these citizens and nations rise from ashes, stand on their knees, look to our future, and continue to progress. We will continue our struggle until we die but will work for a better future for generations to come.
This is our time….the scene and the play would shape our fate. We should make sincere efforts so that the future generations are proud of us. We must believe that with a strong desire and actions even the impossible is possible.
Thank you all for your attention. I am so delighted to be here with you and sharing a story of mine and of those out there who keep suffering but delivering.
As Deputy Minister Policy and Technical Affairs and also as a member of Hamdeli Network, I worked to organize a week long Hamdeli festival (jashan) at Nowroz in Bamyan province. About 20-25,000 Afghans participated and attended in the related activities.
Now I would like to invite you to watch a movie of ‘Hamdeli Jashan’. It does not have translation…but feel it and will try to help with translation where needed.
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After the video, the Pakistani delegation gave a standing ovation to appreciate the work of Mr. Nader Yama and the Hamdeli Network. They noted that such initiatives can serve as powerful tools to promote Afghan culture at the global stage.