Writing workshop aims to strengthen Afghan culture

A workshop intended to help inculcate Afghan refugee children with their nation's culture and values opened in the western Pakistani city of Peshawar on Monday. "This is an opportunity to train the next generation," said Roy Herrmann, head of the UNHCR sub-office in Peshawar which supports Maaref, publisher of the children's publication of the same name, which is running the workshop. "Given the flight of Afghan intellectuals and writers over the past 22 years, the work undertaken by Maaref allows Afghan children to continue to learn of their values, culture and history," Herrmann added. Abdul Qayeum Karim, programme supervisor and editor of 'Maaref', told IRIN on Monday that the seven-day workshop was organised for 'Maaref' staff members and 14 other journalists, writers and educators working for Afghan refugee children in Pakistan. It aimed to help journalists and writers improve the layout, design and content of educational publications for Afghan children, he said. Published in the two primary Afghan languages of Dari and Pashto, The bi-monthly 'Maaref' has a circulation of 20,000, predominately among Afghan refugee children living in Pakistan and elsewhere outside their homeland. It is the first educational magazine for refugees in Pakistan aimed At creating awareness among Afghan children about the history of Afghanistan. In addition, it focuses on peace education, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, refugee issues and the environment. 'Maaref' actively encourages children's participation. Renowned Sri Lankan educationalist Dr Somaratna Banda Ekanayake on Monday praised the magazine, saying it was the first magazine aimed at training and educating Afghan children about new developments in the world while trying to introduce a new vision, a culture of peace and tolerance among Afghans, the Pakistani daily 'News' reported. Ekanayake said this culture had disappeared from Afghan society and the magazine endeavoured to recreate a sense of awareness and tolerance. Meanwhile, Maaref is scheduled to hold an exhibition of painting And calligraphy by Afghan refugee artists living in Pakistan in Peshawar on Wednesday, 28 February.