National Poetry Festival: “One Voice for Peace”
In collaboration with several active social-civil organizations, the New Thinker Youth Civil Organization (NTYCO) hosted the national poetry festival "One Voice for Peace" on June 12, 2021, in Kabul. The event featured fifty poets from ten provinces of Afghanistan, including outstanding poets. Approximately 300 attendees participated, including writers, university professors, cultural figures, media representatives, and civil society activists. The festival aimed to promote peace through poetry, with young poets expressing their desire for peace and aversion to war. The poets recited their works before judges, media, and attendees, culminating in selecting three top winners who received trophies, cash prizes, and certificates of appreciation from NTYCO.
Book Launch Event "Guardian Angels"
On March 4, 2019, the Kabul Garrison Command hosted the launch event of the book "Guardian Angels," authored by Ahmad Hewad Rahyab and Abdul Naser Folad and published by the New Thinker Youth Civil Organization. The event was attended by military officials, authors, professors, students, and youth. Speeches highlighted the importance of the book and the role of security and defense forces.
Afghanistan Youth Government
The Afghanistan Youth Government initiative, conceptualized in 2016, began with a comprehensive campaign through social media, TV, and radio to engage active youth across the country. Over 2,000 youths registered online, leading to written and oral exams conducted in various provinces. From these, 136 outstanding candidates were selected. The implementation phase featured two-day workshops on governance and policy-making, followed by campaigns for presidential and vice-presidential candidates, culminating in debates and elections. The program concluded with the newly elected youth president receiving a certificate of office, symbolizing the readiness of Afghan youth to take on future leadership roles. This initiative successfully fostered civic engagement, leadership skills, and a deeper understanding of governmental processes among Afghan youth.
Enlightenment Discourse: Challenges and Opportunities of Youth Migration
On May 25, 2024, the New Thinker Youth Civil Organization hosted an online Enlightenment Dialogue Program titled "Challenges and Opportunities of Youth Migration." The discussion featured Asifa Stanekzai, a human rights activist and a Master's degree holder in Economics from the University of Kassel, Germany. The program focused on exploring the opportunities and challenges of migration for young people.
Afghan Civil Society Demands Ceasefire and Continued Peace Talks
On February 3, 2020, the New Thinker Youth Civil Organization (NTYCO) organized a significant event where Afghan civil society organizations and citizens issued a resolution calling for a nationwide ceasefire and the continuation of Afghan-led peace negotiations. Highlighting the necessity of peace, they stressed that a ceasefire could reveal the hidden complexities of the ongoing war, paving the way for effective solutions. The movement urged the Taliban to declare a general truce, continue peace talks with the Afghan government, and resume the Afghan-led negotiations. The resolution emphasized the importance of maintaining human rights, women's rights, freedom of speech, and democratic achievements as non-negotiable.
National March in Support of Afghanistan's Defense and Security Forces
The New Thinker Youth Civil Organization (NTYCO), in collaboration with civil society activists and human rights organizations, organized a national march and gathering on July 21, 2021, in support of Afghanistan's defense and security forces, national peace and reconciliation, violence reduction, and a ceasefire between the Taliban and Afghan government. Hundreds of participants, carrying Afghan flags, marched through Kabul's streets, celebrating Eid al-Adha, which the Afghan government named Soldier Eid, with dancing and festivities. The march traversed various areas of Kabul, symbolizing solidarity and support for Afghanistan's defense and security forces.
Peace Carpet Initiative
On August 21, 2020, the New Thinker Youth Civil Organization (NTYCO) organized the "Peace Carpet" event in Kabul, bringing together civil society activists, human rights defenders, university professors, students, athletes, war-affected families, individuals with disabilities, and other residents. The event aimed to support peace talks and end the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. Through this gathering, NTYCO reinforced its commitment to promoting peace, supporting war victims, and advocating for a peaceful and democratic Afghanistan.
Public Speaking Workshop
The New Thinker Youth Civil Organization (NTYCO) successfully conducted a three-day Public Speaking Workshop in collaboration with the Afghanistan Technical and Vocational Institute (ATVI) from June 30 to July 2, 2019. The workshop brought together over forty young men and women who enhanced their public speaking skills through various exercises and interactive sessions. At the conclusion of the workshop, all participants were awarded certificates of completion from the organizing institutions, recognizing their dedication and newly acquired skills.