APT – Afghans for Progressive Thinking (APT)

Who We Are

AFGHANS FOR PROGRESSIVE THINKING

Afghans for Progressive Thinking (APT) was founded in 2010 by a young college graduate who had the vision of a peaceful, tolerant, open and progressive Afghan society, a vision which is shared by hundreds of thousands of other Afghan youths. Prior to founding APT, He had begun the journey toward his vision by organizing intercultural dialogues between Afghans and internationals in Lucknow, India, where he was working to earn his bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

APT is the largest youth-led national organization that works to promote peace and critical thinking among youth and children in Afghanistan. APT uses two social theories of change, namely contact theory of change and critical thinking theory of change, to reach its vision. The ability to think critically builds an individual’s capacity to potentially challenge existing social, political, economic and cultural systems in constructive and transformative ways. In addition, contact theory stipulates that an increased contact with ‘the other’ opens channels of communication, creates shared spaces and experiences, builds the understanding of the challenges and realities of the other’s contexts, which, in turn challenges misconceptions, reduces prejudices and fosters respect towards diversity.

APT briefed the Security council on the resolution 2250 and resolution 2419 Youth, Peace and Security.

Sohrab Rasouli , Student

I would like to extend my gratitude as well to Afghans for Progressives thinking Board for sponsoring this event( National debate championship). The dedicated people who serve in this organization are to be commended for the sharing of their resources and time to enhance opportunities for our youth is timely and important.
Adil Khan, Student

APT brings hope and unfolds the true identity of Afghans as people with just the same nature as any other human being on earth – with capacity and potential to do enormous good.
Amer Khan, Student

Now after the debate, I can confidently enter discussions and comment on women and peace topics. I didn’t know many important and underlying causes of war and conflict. I have now informed opinions that make me feel powerful and able for taking action and provoking the people of my surrounding to believe in women’s power to bring about peace in our community”

Recent News

Spring leadership Graduation

APT’s 2020 Spring Leadership Development Students graduated after completing their course at APT with national and international professional instructors and implementing their social projects on servant leadership. The course was conducted online because of the covid19 pandemic. It covered a variety of topics including Influence, Respect, Self-awareness, Honorable Leadership, and Styles of leadership, Growth, Listening,

International Peace Day

On the International Day of Peace, APT organized debate rounds, round tables, panel discussion, and symposium in Kabul, Herat, Balkh, Badakhshan, Nangarhar, Kandahar, and Samangan. This year, we celebrated Peace Day differently. We painted over a newly built wall in Samangan and Kabul. Additionally, we organized the Afghan Youth for Peace Symposium. Even more, the

Networking events

To promote the goals of APT inside universities and the debate clubs, APT team in Herat, Kabul, and Mazar organized networking events for the debate clubs leading teams and members to listen to their problems and suggestions. Such events help us a lot in finding the problems of our debaters and finding ways to solve

Debate without Borders

On the series of our Afghan Australian Intercollegiate Debate Rounds, APT and Monash University conducted fifth round on 17th September 2020. The debaters discussed the role of Afghan women and youth in the present peace negotiation. The series of the debate rounds will continue and soon we will organize the sixth Afghan Australian Inter-collegiate Debate

Exhibition Debate

Debate gives an excellent opportunity for young Afghans to share their solutions, arguments, and analysis on various topics. After ending the restrictions of the Covid19 APT, the team in Kabul and provinces organized in-person exhibition debate rounds. The exhibition debate round allowed the students to listen to each other and interact peacefully.

Kandahar University Exhibition Deba...

On August 8, 2020, APT organized an exhibition debate round at Kandahar University. Both sides of the debate argued on traditional and new methods of conflict resolution and finally Fazlullah Fazli and Faisal Manaly became the winners and Saifullah became the best speaker of this round. We believe debate is a great platform for the