Hamed Wardak News » Afghan-American relations

Afghan and US Bridge-Building: Great News for Wardak

admin — Tue, 17 May 2011 08:53:18 +0000

Hamed Wardak has been working hard to try to build good relations between Afghanistan and America. And once these relations have been developed, Wardak looks for ways to maintain the optimistic fervor between the two countries. Clearly the man would be delighted to learn of other individuals or corporations working for the same goal. And that is exactly what has been happening with a new video conference set up by Spirit of America which has been honing in on “building bridges between American children and Afghan children.”
As America was glued to their TVs to follow the story of the demise of Osama Bin Laden in Washington DC, this video conference was attempting to do the opposite – build good things for Afghan children and “open their minds,” while encouraging them to “make friends with American kids.” Through this video conference, viewers are privy to watching something they probably have “never seen before.”
Participants in the video conference were LA students from Windward School and Afghan students from Kodoala Drab School. It was extremely powerful and actually “brought tears to many eyes.” The video conference comprised “surprise questions, funny moments and a lot of laughter.” The simple interactions between the different students were also incredible; just regular, normal conversations.
The aim was probably achieved. Spirit of America was trying to help US troops aid “Afghan children and schools” with its project.

Hamed Wardak and Afghan Exhibition Reception

admin — Tue, 03 May 2011 06:27:40 +0000

There was a reception to launch the Meridian International Center’s photo exhibition, “In Small Things Remembered: The Early Years of U.S.-Afghan Relations,” depicting early Afghan-American relations. Guests included: “Counselors Hakim Atarud and Khojesta Fana Ebrahimkhel from the Embassy of Afghanistan; former Afghan Deputy Minister of Culture, Faiz Khairzada, who organized the performances in Afghanistan of the Joffrey Ballet and Duke Ellington, and former Peace Corps Volunteers who served in Afghanistan.” The exhibition runs until May 8, 2011.
Perhaps someone like Hamed Wardak would have wanted to be in attendance too, given that he was one of the original eight founders of the CUSAP (Campaign for a US-Afghanistan Partnership), set up to “achieve sustainable security and prosperity in Afghanistan.”
Good news for Afghans is that the message of the exhibition is meant to show how “Americans stand by the people of Afghanistan for the long-term, and that is the message of these photographs,” according to US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Marc Grossman.

The Nooristan Foundation’s Annual Gala

admin — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 10:59:46 +0000

Last year, Afghan-American Hamed Wardak sponsored the Nooristan Foundation’s annual gala. The event supports rural development in Afghanistan. This video presents a number of guests and speakers who took part in the event.

The U.S.-Afghanistan Business Matchmaking Conference

admin — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 06:55:48 +0000

Last month, the Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC), with founding vice-president Hamed Wardak, held its sixth U.S.-Afghanistan Business Matchmaking Conference in Washington, DC. Over 375 businessmen and women were present, as well as representatives from financial organizations and government officials.

The conference aimed to identify business opportunities in Afghanistan for United States companies, as well as to explain the benefits that can be reaped by partnering with Afghan entrepreneurs and companies. Sulaiman Lutfi, AACC Chairman, explained, “We are here to recognize the immense value of the private sector and the market economy to a stable Afghanistan and to take advantage of the many opportunities to build profitable businesses there.”

University of Montana Teaching Soldiers about Afghanistan

admin — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 10:22:12 +0000

Soldiers who will be heading out to Afghanistan are receiving important training at the University of Montana. This is not military training, but rather is part of a pilot program aimed at helping the military service members communicate more effectively with their Afghani counterparts. As part of the program, the soldiers are learning Pashto and Dari, the languages of Afghanistan. This is no easy task, as Pashto, for example, has 32 letters, as compared to the English alphabet’s 26. They are also learning about Afghan history and cultural nuances.

This program is yet another example of bridge-building between Americans and the Afghani people and culture, which is also the aim of the Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce, whose founding vice-president is Hamed Wardak.

Hamed Wardak Featured in BBC Interview

admin — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 09:17:36 +0000

Listen to a recent interview of Hamed Wardak, son of the Defense Minister of Afghanistan, with the BBC. They discussed the goals of the United States presence in Afghanistan and the importance of that presence not only to the people of Afghanistan but also to the free world.

BBC Interview with Hamed Wardak: Click Here

AACC’s 6th Matchmaking Conference

admin — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 06:26:00 +0000

Earlier this month, the Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce, with founding vice-president Hamed Wardak, launched its 6^th Annual US-Afghanistan Business Matchmaking Conference of 2010 in Washington D.C.

Afghani and American officials participated in the event, aiming to acquire information regarding business and investment opportunities in Afghanistan. The participants met with representatives of Afghani industries which work in Afghanistan and Dubai. They also had the opportunity to network with important private sector, financial and government contacts. The partakers also participated in the AACC Trade Fair, and benefitted from the exposure.

The U.S. Plans to Expand Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan

admin — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 08:52:08 +0000

The United States has recently announced its plans for a five million dollar expansion of its embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, as well as the building of two new consulates. The Washington embassy in Kabul is already the largest in the world, with almost 1,200 employees working there already. US ambassador Karl Eikenberry stated that the expansion would help the U.S. “carry out its pledge to maintain into the future its very significant security, government, economic and civil society programs.” The project intends to employ over 600 Afghanis, and generate millions of dollars in business for local construction companies.

This news can certainly interest AACC, an organization founded by many, including Hamed Wardak, which works to improve U.S.-Afghanistan relations.

AACC with Hamed Wardak Helped to Form AICC

admin — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 08:57:21 +0000

AACC, the Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce, works with governments, trade groups and many other business organizations to strengthen business development in Afghanistan, and to strengthen business ties between Afghanistan and the United States.

Founded by vice-president Hamed Wardak and many others in 2002, AACC has since helped with the development of many other important organizations. In 2004, they helped the Afghan International Chamber of Commerce (AICC) to form with funding from USAID and in cooperation with the Center for International Private Enterprise.

AACC is proud to be the first international affiliate of AICC.

Afghanistan School Renovated

admin — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 07:09:11 +0000

Since a school in Parmakhan underwent severe damage in 2007, the school has not been functioning. But just recently, a ceremony was held to mark its re-opening following renovations at a cost of $120,000. Much work was involved in this project and other improvements (like a well and water pump) were also added. As well, new furniture was donated to the school. Because the school had to close, general school attendance in Parmakhan had dropped somewhat and this trend is now expected to reverse. Education is crucial for everyone; getting on in the world begins with a good education and the people of Afghanistan are no exception.