Welcome to Afghanistan Meets the USA: A Forum for Young Leaders (AFMUSA)

Afghanistan Meets the USA: A Forum for Young Leaders is a network of young professionals and individuals who have an interest in exploring and strengthening the relations between Afghanistan and the US. The ultimate goal of the forum is to educate, enhance and sustain the Afghan-US relationship by empowering the next generation of young leaders from Afghanistan and the USA.

With the culmination of US combat operations in Afghanistan rapidly approaching, the need to reframe the Afghan-US relationship is becoming increasingly apparent. Relations between the two countries have faced considerable difficulties since the beginning of the US led invasion almost 13 years ago. However, with the upcoming presidential elections in early 2014 and the simultaneous departure of US troops from Afghanistan, the opportunity for developing a durable and peaceful partnership holds more promise than ever before. The political and economic transition process that Afghanistan is facing will make sensible US involvement in developments critical. Through sound and intensified cooperation and dialogue between the two parties, the future and stability of Afghanistan will be secured. In order to anchor political and economic cooperation, intercultural dialogue and sensitivity is key to the development of trust and understanding between the US and Afghanistan, two nations which have not always enjoyed an amicable relationship. With the advent of the most critical stage of the US-Afghan relationship, the potential for a long-lasting and mutually beneficial alliance has never been so great.

Having thus far been primarily strategic and military in nature, the future dynamics of the Afghan-US relationship must be diversified further via Cultural Diplomacy strategies in order for the partnership´s development and durability. This invaluable tool guarantees to bring increased mutual acceptance thereby solidifying and stabilizing their relationship, so that bilateral cooperation delivers on the promise to bring more economic, political and cultural benefits in the future for both the USA and Afghanistan.

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy now provides a forum to embrace and examine the field of Cultural Diplomacy and its importance in US-Afghan relations. During a weeklong seminar, participants have the opportunity to explore in great depth the current relations between Afghanistan and the US and to exchange ideas about the enhancement of future bilateral cooperation. At the AFMUSA weeklong seminar, every participant has the chance to meet prominent experts in the field and work in a multicultural environment. The Forum's weeklong seminar is a perfect opportunity for those who are studying in the field of International Relations, International Business, Middle-Eastern and Central Asian Studies and any areas related to Afghan-US relations, or for those who are simply interested in the present and the future of the cooperation between the USA and Afghanistan. The forum organizes conferences, public lectures, events and online activities which gives exclusive access to the members of the forum.

About AFMUSA Weeklong Seminars »

Weeklong Seminars are held every 4-6 months and consist of 4-5 day programs of lectures, seminars, and workshops, together with cultural and social activities. The Seminars aim to give the participants an insight into key perspectives on, the Afghan-US relationship and to introduce them to a network of like-minded individuals, and allow them to explore the cultural landscape of the city of Washington D.C. Speakers during the seminars include individuals from the fields of politics, diplomacy, academia, culture & the arts, civil society, and the private sector. Once individuals have taken part in an AFMUSA Weeklong Seminar and joined the forum, they become a part of the ICD's network, which facilitates communication between like-minded individuals across the world.

Once they have joined the AFMUSA Forum, members are supported by the ICD in organizing leadership initiatives and conducting academic research whilst they are also invited to join the ICD Online Forum - enabling them to share information and communicate with like-minded individuals across the world.

Joining the Forum »

Afghanistan Meets the USA: A Forum for Young Leaders (AFMUSA) is open to all individuals with an interest in exploring and strengthening the Afghan-US relationship. To join the forum you must take part in one of the AFMUSA Weeklong Seminars, which will be held every 4-6 months.

If you would like to reserve a position and participate in the seminar, please click on the "Apply Now" link below and fill out the online application form:

Certificate of Attendance

All participants will be awarded an official certificate of attendance upon completion of the program, which provides details about the speakers and topics at the conference. Each certificate will be signed by members of the ICD's Advisory Board.

ICD Alumni Program »

All seminar participants will be invited to join the ICD alumni program. The "ICD Alumni Group" is an international network of like-minded individuals with an interest in further developing the field of cultural diplomacy through the support of intercultural relations. Participation in the group is by invitation only, and is open only to individuals who have taken part in ICD programs. Members of the ICD Alumni Group will benefit from the following opportunities (more).