Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 08/2011

Afghan Civil Society and a Comprehensive Peace Process

Lisa Schirch

July 2011

United States Institute of Peace

Abstract

A successful, legitimate and sustainable approach to peace in Afghanistan requires the inclusion of Afghan civil society and their interests. For the most part, Afghan peace negotiations exclude representatives of civil society and center on a narrow agenda featuring concerns of armed groups. Attempts at a quick fix settlement could compromise the foundations of durable peace, resulting in more costs to the international community, and more death and destruction on the ground.