balancing between life and studies

Hello G12-ers,

I started Global Master of Arts Program (GMAP) which is a mid-career professional degree program in March 2015. I just completed this program successfully but balancing between work and studies was quite a challenge. This was particularly an issue for me since I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in February 2015 and start my studies at Fletcher after a month in March.  In balancing work and studies, I tried to take a more reactive approach at work not engaging in areas that I would have had I not had my studies. This really helped me to create some space to use for my studies. I also had to take some days off when I had assignments to complete or exams. It did put me under extra-pressures sometimes that make me question whether I did the right thing to have started my studies while working. Now that I am looking back after finishing my studies, I believe I made the right decision. The biggest takeaway for me out of the hard year of 2015 was that personal growth is not possible unless one gets out of one's comfort zone. I am now back in Kabul, Afghanistan with more time to focus on my career more vigorously in 2016 before moving to thing of other important decisions in life.

GREETINGS FROM BOSTON

Dear APLP G12,

It has been a long time since I last wrote here and been in contact with some of you. I really miss my time in Hawaii and with you. I wanted to share an update of what I am up to these days. I just came back from an APLP happy hour in Algier Cafe in Boston where I met Gretchen after one year. Today was a specially day for me as I defended my thesis at the Fletcher school and completed my Master's program with the Fletcher school.

I started the Global Master of Arts Program (GMAP)  last year. GMAP is a highly competitive mid-career degree program with the Fletcher school, and I had the honor to be given admission into it. Thanks to APLP for opening this opportunity for me and special thanks to Christina Manroe for providing me a very good recommendation letter that helped me got into this program. GMAP refreshed alot of good memories from APLP specially with its focus on leadership.

I am attaching a photo Gretchen and I took to share with you. There is alot more to write and I will come back to you soon with more stories and thoughts.

Take care,
Amir

My Busy Life: New Opportunities, More Challenges

It is August 28 and I am putting my first, and probably last, APLPers’s blog for my month. This is something I should have done in the first week of August, if not the first day.  Two things made me extremely busy, and probably distracted, to do so.

First, I was given a new role in July with more responsibilities at work, and second I became mainly in charge of planning for the peace and unity week that was initiated by myself last year and takes place from September 20-27 every year.

My new role as deputy chief executive, and member of the peace council where until July this year I worked as political adviser suddenly put me in the middle of heavy workload of things I needed focus on.  I had to do an assessment of where things are in my institution, and come up with some recommendations. I also had to coordinate for putting a business case for countries that fund the peace and re-integration program.  Our funding cycle ends up in December this year.

I initiated the peace and unity week last year. I even took it to the executive committee of the High Peace Council to get it approved. The background for this week goes to September 20, 2011 when an apparent emissary with a peace message assassinated the previous Chair of the High Peace Council, Professor Rabbani who was also former President of the state. 

 Professor Rabbani came from the North of Afghanistan, and the current leadership of the insurgency including the suicide bomber came from the South and a different ethnic group too. The assassination could trigger serious clashes and even internal conflict.

 My purpose to come up with the idea of peace and unity week was to not only counter any inter-ethnic clashes during this week but also use it as an opportunity to bring people together to promote peace.

 Last year, I had to leave by August for Asia Pacific Leadership Program, and was not here in Kabul for the peace week.  But now, my job as deputy head of the policy, and my own interest in this week has made the planning for this week a top item in my work. Amongst several other events, an international conference will also be organized during this week.

This conference aims to bring religious scholars from different parts of the world to talk about the significance of peace in Islam. I hope that this conference will serve to further promote peace in Afghanistan, and encourage those who are fighting to join the peace process. This conference will also be my capstone project for APLP.

I want to specially thank Ahila for this great initiative to facilitate for the G12 APLPers to remain connected with each other through this blog; and sorry for not being an active member. I hope to be able to compensate in the future.