Skip to content

The Afghanistan Youth Government

Origin and Development

The concept of Youth Government in Afghanistan was written by Ahmad Hewad Rahyab in 2016. Recognizing the need to empower Afghan youth and involve them in the political process, the initiative began with a robust campaign across social media and various media outlets. The goal was to reach active youth nationwide and encourage participation. The campaign was highly successful, with over 2,000 young individuals registering online to be part of the program.

Participants Selection

The selection process was thorough and rigorous, involving written and oral exams conducted in different provinces and zones of Afghanistan. A specialized examination committee, consisting of professors from various universities and representatives of the Afghanistan New Thinker Youth Civil Organization (NTYCO), reviewed the applications and selected the best candidates. Ultimately, 136 active and innovative youths were chosen to participate in the Youth Government.

Implementation

The implementation phase began with an orientation session and a two-day workshop on governance, policy-making, critical thinking, and other essential skills. Following the workshops, participants began campaigning for various positions within the Youth Government, including President, Vice Presidents, and other key roles. The campaign process included presidential and vice-presidential debates, allowing candidates to present their vision and policies to their peers. Elections were then held, and as a result, the Youth Government President was elected.

Structure of the Afghanistan Youth Government

The Youth Government in Afghanistan was structured to mirror a national government, providing participants with a realistic and practical experience. The structure includes:

Vice President

Ahmad Etemadi
000001 (31)

President

Shafiqullah Salim Poya

Vice President

Noorullah Alemi

Ministers

Twenty-five ministers, each heading a different ministry, mirroring the Afghan government ministries.

Deputy Ministers

Fifty deputy ministers, with two deputies per ministry.

Governors

Thirty-four governors represent each of Afghanistan's provinces.

Mayors

Eight mayors represent different zones of Afghanistan.

Advisors

Five advisors to the president and vice presidents in political, economic, social, cultural, and religious affairs.

Directorates

Eleven independent directorates handling various administrative functions.

Organizational Structure

View All Testimonial
The organizational structure of the Afghanistan Youth Government included one commission and several committees to ensure effective management and implementation:

Youth Government Commission

Oversees the overall functioning and coordination of the Youth Government.

Examination Committee

Manages the selection process, including designing exams, reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and finalizing selections.

Cultural Committee

Promotes cultural activities and ensures the inclusion of diverse cultural perspectives through organizing cultural events, encouraging diverse participation, and fostering unity.

Elections Committee

This committee is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the election process to ensure it is fair, transparent, and inclusive.

Media and Public Relations Committee

Manage communication and media relations, promoting activities, managing digital platforms, and ensuring transparent communication.

Monitoring and Evaluation Committee

Ensures the program's objectives are met and monitors progress throughout the implementation phase.

The Afghanistan Youth Government in a Glimpse

Initial Campaign and Registration

Conducted through social media and various media outlets, attracting over 2,000 youth registrations.

Selection Process

Written and oral exams across different provinces and zones of Afghanistan led to the selection of 136 most active participants.

Orientation Session

An introductory session for participants to get to know each other and make teams for upcoming presidential elections and other processes.

Workshop

Intensive training on the country’s politics, governance, policy-making, and essential skills those youths need for better management.

Presidential Campaign and Debates

Candidates campaign for presidential and vice-presidential positions, engage in debates and present their visions.

Elections

Participants vote to elect the President and Vice Presidents.

Presidential Oath and Certification

Officially grant the presidential credential to the elected president by the commission, and the elected president and vice presidents take the oath of office.

Cabinet Selection

The President selects ministers and other key officials.

Ministers' Councils

Regular meetings to discuss the progress of the ongoing projects and address the country’s issues.

Closing Ceremony

Awards and certificates were distributed, and the action plan was shared with government officials.

Final Report

Compilation of achievements, policies, and recommendations.

Next Chapter

We are coordinating to organise and implement the Youth Government concept in different countries.

Did You Know?

The planning and initial stages of simulating the Youth Government based on the system of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan began in October 2016 and officially took place in March 2017 in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, with the participation of 136 active youth from across the country. This Youth Government consisted of an elected president, 25 ministers, 50 deputy ministers, and included representatives from several key government institutions. This program fostered widespread and meaningful youth participation in the political process, receiving a warm reception from domestic and international activists. Those who participated in this simulation of the Youth Government subsequently found themselves contributing to the country’s political, social, cultural, and economic landscape, integrating into the political and social fabric of the polity.