The Vienna Process Assistance Core Team
The Vienna Process for a Democratic Afghanistan is fundamentally “owned” by its citizens. While supported by international experts and advisors, the core of its work is carried out by Afghans who are deeply committed to shaping a democratic future for their country. This ensures that the initiatives and strategies are aligned with the needs and aspirations of the Afghan people, empowering them to take charge of their own political destiny.
Our core team includes individuals with a profound understanding of project development and strategic direction, ensuring that our initiatives are effectively guided toward a peaceful change in Afghanistan. Expertise in peace negotiations, international relations, and diplomacy significantly enhances our capability to mediate conflicts and foster cooperation among diverse Afghan stakeholders. Our team members have played pivotal roles in strengthening international ties, fostering support for Afghanistan, and ensuring that diverse Afghan voices are heard and valued. Their collective experience in diplomacy, media relations, and on-the-ground project coordination is instrumental in bridging gaps and driving forward our mission.
Manizha Bakhtari
currently serves as the Afghan ambassador to Austria, the United Nations office, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna. She formerly held the position of ambassador to the Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland). She has been instrumental in strengthening international ties and fostering support for Afghanistan. Her efforts in representing Afghan interests abroad have been crucial in building alliances and garnering support for the Vienna Process. Her diplomatic skills, combined with her deep commitment to her country’s future, make her an essential part of our team. She drives efforts to create an inclusive dialogue and a cooperative spirit among Afghan leaders, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and valued in the Vienna Process.
Nur Safa
plays a pivotal role as the project and Main Office coordinator of the Austrian Relief Committee for Afghanistan (ARC). With a deep understanding of the region’s dynamics and challenges, Mr. Safa oversees the implementation of projects and ensures their alignment with the organization’s goals. He also acts as a vital link between Afghanistan and Austria, coordinating efforts on the ground and facilitating effective communication and collaboration between the two countries. Mr. Safa was an Austrian diplomat for twenty-four years. He is the main coordinator of the Vienna Process for a Democratic Afghanistan and the Transferproject-Vienna-Kabul Association.
Wolfgang Petritsch
is a seasoned crisis manager in the wars of former Yugoslavia and an experienced diplomat with extensive know-how in international relations. As a former EU Special Envoy and chief negotiator in the Rambouillet/Paris peace talks on Kosovo and the UN High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, he currently serves as the President of the Austrian Institute of International Affairs. As coordinating facilitator, Mr. Petritsch brings valuable expertise in diplomacy and conflict management to the Vienna Process team, contributing to the effectiveness of our initiatives.
Christian Reder
is a retired university professor and renowned author with a long history of involvement in Afghanistan. As the chairman of the RD Foundation Vienna for Research, Development, and Human Rights, he provides financial support and strategic direction to the organization’s initiatives. Among his many publications are two books about Afghanistan, "Afghanistan, fragmentarisch" (2003) and "Noch Jahre der Unruhe" (2015), the latter having been translated into Farsi in 2023.
Fahima Zahma
is one of the co-founders of the Vienna Process, assisting in a variety of areas relevant for the successful implementation of the Vienna Process. As a young student, she fled Afghanistan after the Russian invasion to Pakistan. Mrs. Zahma Safa worked as a volunteer for the Austrian Relief Committee for Afghan refugees in Peshawar. Endowed with a scholarship, she studied in Vienna and worked at the University Clinic. Since 2020, she has been a member of the Transferproject-Vienna-Kabul.