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United Nations Development Programme
Afghanistan Sub-national Governance Programme
UNDP/ASGP Eastern Region, RO Jalalabad
Date 23th and 24th July 2011
BRIEF REPORT ON REGIONAL PROVINCIAL COUNCILS REGIONAL FORUM FOR EASTERN
PROVINCES (NANGARHAR, LAGHMAN, KUNAR AND NURISTAN)
VENUE: JALALABAD CITY, NANGARHAR PROVINCE PROVINCIAL CONUCIL CONFERENCE HALL
A view of Nangarhar Province Deputy Governor and Eastern Region Provincial Council (PCs)
Chairperson, and Deputy Chairperson and PC members as participants
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Opening and Welcome note:
The Eastern Region Provincial Councils Regional Forum was inaugurated through a recitation of the
Holy Quran. Subsequently, Dr. Lal Mohammad Durani Secretary of the Provincial Councils of
Nangarhar welcomed the participants, while he elaborated on the goals and objectives of holding
the Provincial Council Regional Forum to all the participants. UNDP country office and ASGP were
praised for providing the supporting enabling the holding of the regional the forum. Nangarhar,
Laghman, Kunar and Nuristan Provincial Councils showed their appreciation for UNDP/ASGP
continuing its support in the Eastern Region to ensure that the provincial council’s regional forums
are kept permanently in the region.
Following, Mr. Mohammad Hanif Gardiwal, Deputy Governor of Nangarhar Province welcomed the
PC members of Kunar, Laghman, Nuristan and Nangarhar as well as the IDLG, UNDP/ASGP Country
Office and Eastern Region Team. Mr. Gardiwal stated that ASGP is working on essential and most
important local governance components in the Eastern Region including: good governance,
capacity building Programme for DGOs, PGOs, PCs and providing support to municipalities.
Furthermore, Mr. Gardiwal strongly advocated that all eastern region provincial councils
chairpersons and other members to shared their experiences with each other and responded to
the questions raised by fellow participants.
Introduction:
Based on the Afghanistan Constitutional Law, national sovereignty in Afghanistan belongs to the
nation that exercises it directly or through its representatives. Provincial Councils are elected
bodies to ensure and encourage the participation of the provincial constituency and civil society
organizations in governmental administration at the provincial level. The mandates of the
Provincial Council include the provision of advice, encouraging dialogue and ensure oversight in the
delivery of basic essential services at provincial level.
Furthermore, the Provincial Council are catalysts, by taking initiative, and supporting innovative
approaches and advocating securing the developmental targets of Afghanistan in line with the
National Development Strategy, through advocating the adoption of known best practices of good
governance and rule of law in the provincial administration, expanding and improving the efficiency
and effectiveness of basic services delivered to the public in the provinces.
In addition, the PC members have the overall responsibility of holding the local government
accountable and ensure that the concerns and issues of the provincial population are voiced. PCs of
the Eastern Region along with technical and financial support of UNDP/ASGP have planned to
establish a PC regional Forum for exchanges of experience and knowledge on how the PC is
functioning on a daily basis in the various Eastern Region provinces and how they hold government
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authorities accountable and ensure people’s participation in the provincial and regional
development and governance planning/decision making processes. Besides that the forum will
serve as a platform where the, PCs can brainstorm on regional development coordination issues
and establish build synergies through coalition building and agreeing to common provincial
approaches and goals.
The platform of a joint regional forum will provide the PCs with an opportunity to discuss the joint
and shared development needs of the region and establish an advocacy mechanism to ensure
adequately planning for development needs and oversight practices and the implementation of the
provincial and regional development projects are coherent in scope and also timely delivered,
striving to meet the expectations based on the needs of the local communities.
Purpose of the PC forum in the region:
To establish a functional network of elected councils for knowledge sharing and collaborative
advocacy for effective local representation and oversight process
Objectives of the PCs Regional Forum are:




Exchanges of experiences and knowledge on PC related practices
Better understanding of PC roles and responsibilities
To discuss coordination mechanism for regional development programmes
Design strategy for establishment of effective regional elected council forum
Target Group and Participants:
Eastern Region provincial councils (Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar and Nuristan), Chairpersons,
Deputies, Secretaries and members of the mentioned PCs) and: Letter of Agreement staff and
media gathered in Jalalabad on 23 and 24 July. There were so many TVs present in the event and
they have been captured most of the event and had dome interviews with the people from IDLG as
well as with the UNDP/ASGP staff.
Expected Outcome:
At the end of the Seminar the participants have:



Exchanges and sharing of good practices on oversight over government authorities
Understand roles and responsibilities of PC
Synergies for regional Development coordination identified and strategy for regional
Representation designed
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Methodology of implantation and Presentations:
PC forum was organized for two days. During this period the content of the presentations which
were delivered to the participants included: presentations on the Provincial council regional forum
objectives; main outcome of Herat conference; the relationship between the SNG, and the PC,PC
and PGO; public outreach and communication strategies; involvement of the PC in the
development planning and process, public grievances/dispute resolution; the PC law amendment;
the roles and responsibilities of the PCs; experiences sharing inter PCs communities for example on
peace and integration; and on governance issues.
The PCs should be involved in all the aspect of the process in the provinces since, they are the
people where they are reporting back to the people and finely they are reducing the distance
between the people and the government in all the provinces. If we have close cooperation of the
PCs it means we will have the peace in the country.
Additional topics explored included: Sub-National Governance Policy, presentation on lessons
learnt and best practices; the Transition,; Challenges and Prospects, the Role of the PC in the
Transition; Steps on How to Establish Regional Forum and Permanent Secretariat, etc.
View of participants during working group sessions and presentations
The outputs/ results of the provincial council’s forum are as follows:



In total, 31 PCs members (Male and female) were trained on PC law and other provincial
council regional forum related issues
The participants understood the provincial councils regional forum strategy
Understood the accomplishment of each provincial council in eastern region
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

The participants were equipped with knowledge of PC law, knowledge sharing to each other
The Provincial council’s forum participants were divided in to 3 working groups and guided how
to work on the steps to establish provincial’s regional forum and permanent secretariat.
Conclusion:
Overall the Eastern Region provincial councils regional forum was considered successfully
conducted as it achieved the majority of set objectives. Furthermore, the experience was
considered positive by the participants as a number of essential subjects were discussed in plenum,
and the opportunity for dialogue between the Eastern Region PC members was provided. The
participants gained, a relatively good insight to the meaning and application of the concepts and
ideas discussed during the regional forum (provincial councils regional forum)
The participants were actively engaged and participated in the working groups and in the
presentation session. Finally, at the end of the forum they agreed and signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU). For more details please refer to the signed (MOU) by both male and female
PC members.
Unfortunately due to inadequate coordination of Nangarhar PC members and internal conflict in
Nangarhar, a number of PC members did not participate in provincial council’s forum. Out of 19
members only 9 members were present during the PC regional forum.
Suggestions formulated by the participants:
A number of the participants suggested for conducting of similarly provincial councils workshops,
training in the other provinces of the Eastern Region for example Laghman, Kunar and Nuristan and
they have expressed to participate in lots of the internal study trips in other provinces of the
country so, they can learn the good lessons from other PCs that how they come out the problem in
their provinces.
Problems:
Unfortunately due to inadequate coordination of Nangarhar PC members and internal conflict in
Nangarhar, a number of PC members did not participate in provincial council’s forum. Out of 19
members only 9 members were present in PC regional forum. This, despite that ASGP
communicated timely, ahead of the event, with the PC Nangarhar, and were informed that the PC
members of Nangarhar would attend the regional forum.
Presentation on the Role of the Provincial Council in a Transition Process
The role of the provincial council is very important in terms of transition, because the provincial
council is a strong council mandated on behalf of the people and country. The PC is strong because
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of the resourceful and capacitated PC representatives and the PC members are the representatives
of the people. Thus with the close coordination and mutual cooperation and good relations with
the people the Provincial Council can bring a very good revelation in transition programme. The
translation programme will be ended by end of 2014 and during these dates and times PCs should
be involved in any programme of transition in order to implement the transition programme in a
really good manner.
Important Points on the Role and Responsibilities of the Provincial Council in the Ongoing
Transition:






Provincial council should voice their views more pro-actively
All member of the PC should show their commitment by engaging more through participating in
various committee, stakeholder meetings, workshops and forums with people and government.
To support Afghanistan Army and National Police, advocating on their behalf to strengthen the
trust legitimacy among the local population
The active participation of the people is very important, to support the PC.
All responsibility and authority should be handed over to the PC since according to the
constitution of Afghanistan and the law of the PCs, PCs should be involve in all the aspects of
the programme that are going to be done in the provinces.
The Provincial Council should lead all the programmes and activities along with the Provincial
Governors’ Offices and District Governors’ Offices at the provincial and district levels.
Presentation on the Role of the Provincial Council in the Ongoing Transition
The role of the provincial council is very important in terms of transition, because the provincial
council is the legitimate representative of the provincial population through direct elections. The
PC enjoys a high degree of popular legitimacy as the locally and directly elected PC members are
the representatives of the provincial population
Thus, with the close coordination and mutual cooperation and good relations with the population
in the province, the Provincial Council can undertake a conducive role supporting the transition
ensuring that programmes and project at the sub-national level are implemented successfully.
Important Points on the Role and Responsibilities of the Provincial Council Role in the Ongoing
Transition:



Provincial council should voice their views more pro-actively.
All member of the PC should show their commitment by engaging more through participating in
various committee, stakeholder meetings, workshops and forums with people and government.
To support Afghanistan Army and National Police, advocating on their behalf to strengthen the
trust legitimacy among the local population
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
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The active participation of the people is very important, to support the PC.
All responsibility and authority should be handed over to the PC it means since the PCs are
representing to the people of Afghanistan and they should be involved in any aspect of the
transaction programme in Afghanistan, but it doesn’t mean to have all the responsibilities of
the PGOs in the provinces. The responsibilities should be given to the PCs based on the laws
explanations.
The Provincial Council should be in leading of all the programmes and activities jointly with the
PGOs that are going to be done in the provinces. Basically they should be fully aware of all the
programmes that are going to be done in their provinces and these are the people where they
can report back to the people of the province and finally they are the bridge between the
people and government of Afghanistan
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‫‪Provincial Councils Regional forum Agenda‬‬
‫دوالیتی شوراګانو دمنطقوی جلسی اجندا‬
‫‪Resource Persons‬‬
‫‪Areas of Presentation‬‬
‫‪Time‬‬
‫وړاندی کوونکی شخص‬
‫دپریزنټیشن ساحی‬
‫وخت‬
‫‪First day‬‬
‫لمړی ورځ‬
‫‪Registration of the Participants‬‬
‫‪8:45- 9:00‬‬
‫دبرخه والو نوم لیکنه‬
‫‪Reciting of Holy Quran & Broadcasting the National Anthem‬‬
‫قاری صاحب‬
‫‪9:00- 9:15‬‬
‫دقرآن مجید تالوت او دملی سرود غږول‬
‫‪PC Chairman of N/ D. Governor/ASGP‬‬
‫)‪(Hashmat‬‬
‫دوالیتی شورا رئیس ‪ ،‬دننګرهار والیت معاون او د‬
‫افغانستان د سیمه ایزې حکومتوالۍ د پروګرام څخه حشمت‬
‫‪Abdul Karim Matin‬‬
‫عبدالکریم متین‬
‫‪Hashmat (ASGP)/Nangrahar PC Secretary‬‬
‫د افغانستان د سیمه ایزې حکومتوالۍ د پروګرام څخه‬
‫ښاغلی حشمت او د ننګرهار والیتی شورا منشی‬
‫‪Welcome Inauguration, Objectives and Expected outputs‬‬
‫دافتتاح او ښه راغلی مراسم ‪ ،‬دجلسی هدف او موخی او کومی السته راوړنی به ولری‬
‫‪.‬‬
‫‪PC law and amendments, roles and responsibilities‬‬
‫دوالیتی شورا قانون او په هغه کی ترمیمات ‪ ،‬دوالیتی شورا دنده او ذمه واری‬
‫)‪Main Outcomes of Herat Conference (May 2011‬‬
‫په هرات والیت کی دوالیتی شوراګانو د جرګی نتییجه کومه چی د‪ ۲۰۱۱‬کال د می په‬
‫میاشت کی جوړ شوی وو‬
‫)‪Hashmat (ASGP‬‬
‫‪SNGP and PC‬‬
‫د افغانستان د سیمه ایزې حکومتوالۍ د پروګرام څخه‬
‫ښاغلی حشمت‬
‫د سیمه ایزې حکومتوالۍ د پروګرام او والیتی شورا‬
‫‪All Participants‬‬
‫‪Tea Brea‬‬
‫‪9:15- 9:40‬‬
‫‪9:40- 10:10‬‬
‫‪10:10- 10:30‬‬
‫‪10:30- 11:00‬‬
‫‪11:00- 11:30‬‬
‫دچای وقفه‬
‫ټوله برخه وال‬
‫‪PC- PGO relationship‬‬
‫)‪Presentation by PC (Nangarhar‬‬
‫‪11:30- 11:45‬‬
‫دننګرهار دوالیتی شورا د نماینده له خوا‬
‫دوالیتی شورا او والیت مقام ترمنځ اړیکی‬
‫‪All Participants‬‬
‫‪Discussion and Q&A‬‬
‫ټوله برخه وال‬
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‫‪11:45- 12:15‬‬
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‫ازآد بحث او سوال او جواب‬
‫)‪Presentation by PC (Laghman‬‬
‫دلغمان دوالیتی شورا د نماینده له خوا‬
‫‪Public Outreach and Communication Strategies‬‬
‫د عامه پوهاوی ته توسعه ورکولو او لیری پرتو سیمو ته ددولت دپیغامو رسول او‬
‫مخابراتی موخی‬
‫‪12:15- 12:30‬‬
‫‪Discussion and Q&A‬‬
‫‪All Participants‬‬
‫‪12:30- 1:00‬‬
‫ټوله برخه وال‬
‫ازآد بحث او سوال او جواب‬
‫‪All Participants‬‬
‫‪Lunch & Pray‬‬
‫ټوله برخه وال‬
‫وقفه دغرمی دوډی او لمونځ د اداکولو‬
‫)‪Presentation by PC (Nuristan‬‬
‫‪Involvement of PCs in Development planning processes‬‬
‫دنورستان د والیتی شورا دنماینده له خوا‬
‫دوالیتی شورا رول دپرمختیایی کارو دپالنولو په پروسه کی‬
‫‪1:00- 2:00‬‬
‫‪2:00- 2:15‬‬
‫‪Discussion and Q&A‬‬
‫‪All Participants‬‬
‫‪2:15- 2:45‬‬
‫ازآد بحث او سوال او جواب‬
‫ټول برخه وال‬
‫)‪Presentation by PC (Kunar‬‬
‫دکنړ د والیتی شورا نماینده له خوا‬
‫‪Public Grievances/ dispute resolution‬‬
‫‪2:45- 3:00‬‬
‫عامه ستونزی ‪ ،‬دخپل منځی شخړو حل‬
‫‪Discussion and Q&A‬‬
‫‪All Participants‬‬
‫‪3:00- 3:30‬‬
‫ازآد بحث او سوال او جواب‬
‫ټول برخه وال‬
‫‪Second Day‬‬
‫دوهمه ورځ‬
‫‪Representative of PC in Nangarhar‬‬
‫‪Recap of the first day‬‬
‫دننګرهار دوالیتی شورانماینده‬
‫دتیری ورځی موضوعاتو ته لنډه کتنه‬
‫‪Group work‬‬
‫‪Experience sharing/inter Pcs committees (peace and reintegration,‬‬
‫)‪governance, national PC forum‬‬
‫‪9:00- 9:15‬‬
‫‪9:15- 10: 30‬‬
‫ګروپی کار‬
‫‪WG Reps/ One person from each WG‬‬
‫دګروپونو دنمایندګانو په وسیله مجلس ته دګروپی کار‬
‫دنتیجی وړاندی کول‬
‫دوالیتی شورا ګانو ترمنځ دتیرو تجربو شریکول ‪ ،‬سوله او بیا عادی ژوند ته دوسله‬
‫والو راستونول ‪ ،‬حکومتوالی او په ملی سطح دوالیتی شورا ناسته په اړوند‬
‫‪Presentations on lessons learnt and best practices‬‬
‫دتیرو تجربو څخه زده کړه ‪ ،‬او ښه اجرأت په اړوند بیان او پیشکش‬
‫‪All Participants‬‬
‫‪Tea Break‬‬
‫ټوله برخه وال‬
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‫‪10:30- 10:45‬‬
‫‪10:45- 11:15‬‬
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‫دچای وقفه‬
‫‪Transition –Challenges and prospect‬‬
‫‪Dr. Abdul Wakil UNDP‬‬
‫دواک لیږد‪ ،‬ستونزی او پس منظر‬
‫‪11:15- 11:30‬‬
‫داکتر وکیل‬
‫‪Group work‬‬
‫‪Role of PCs in Transition‬‬
‫ګروپی کار‬
‫د واک په لیږدونه کی د والیتی شوراګانو رول او دنده‬
‫‪WG Reps/ One person from each WG‬‬
‫‪11:30- 12:15‬‬
‫‪Presentation on Role of PCs in transition‬‬
‫‪12:15- 12:30‬‬
‫دګروپونو دنمایندګانو په وسیله مجلس ته دګروپی کار‬
‫دنتیجی وړاندی کول‬
‫په اړوند بیان او پیشکش د واک په لیږدونه کی د والیتی شوراګانو رول او دنده‬
‫‪All Participants‬‬
‫‪Lunch & Pray‬‬
‫ټول برخه وال‬
‫وقفه دغرمی دوډی او لمونځ د اداکولو‬
‫‪Group work/PCs (A separate group for women‬‬
‫)‪members‬‬
‫‪Steps to establish a regional forum and permanent Secretariat‬‬
‫دښځو دځانګړی ګروپ لخوا‬
‫‪WG Reps/ One person from each WG‬‬
‫دګروپونو دنمایندګانو په وسیله مجلس ته دګروپی کار‬
‫دنتیجی وړاندی کول‬
‫‪12:15- 1:30‬‬
‫‪1:30- 2:30‬‬
‫دسیمه ایزی نمایندګی او دایمی داراالنشاء دتأسیس په لور لمړنی ګامونه‬
‫‪Presentations on permanent regional forum‬‬
‫‪2:30- 3:00‬‬
‫دسیمی لپاره ددایمی نمایندګۍ او جلسی په برخه کی وړاندی کیدونکی مطالب‬
‫)‪Signature of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU‬‬
‫‪3:00‬‬
‫دتفاهم لیک امضاء‬
‫‪All Participants‬‬
‫‪Closing‬‬
‫ټوله برخه وال‬
‫د پای مراسم‬
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Memorandum of Understanding to unite the Provincial Councils of Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman
and Nuristan and facilitate capacity development
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