Date: December 7, 2023

At the recent civil society forum held in Vienna, representatives of the Afghan diaspora from nine European countries gathered to discuss the future of Afghanistan, ahead of the “3rd Vienna Conference for a Democratic Afghanistan.” Hosted by the Vienna Institute for International Dialogue and Cooperation (VIDC), the forum emphasized inclusive peace and the central role of women in negotiations. Afghan human rights activist Hora Mosadiq highlighted the need to prioritize women in all discussions related to Afghanistan’s peace process.

The 40 participants, including peace researchers and human rights defenders, discussed enhancing coordination between diaspora organizations, NGOs, and international actors. Key outcomes presented at the 3rd Vienna Conference included demands for the participation of all Afghans, regardless of ethnic and linguistic diversity, and the crucial involvement of Afghan youth in the peace process. The forum provided significant momentum for furthering an inclusive and sustainable peace in Afghanistan, underscoring the need for equal participation of women in all negotiations. This report was published by Vindobona, focusing on the critical discussions and outcomes of the Vienna Forum.