KANDAHAR - Panel members at a lively television debate sponsored by the UN and Hewad TV spoke this week about the value of open dialogue to work out differences and deal with ongoing conflict in the interest of provincial development.

More than 70 university students attended the event, which began with a discussion among a four-person panel of academics from Kandahar University.

The debate took place in Kandahar province, a mountainous and rural area of the country that shares a rugged frontier with Pakistan to the south and east. The southern region, which includes Helmand to the west, has played a central role in the birth and growth of modern Afghanistan.

More recently, the region, not unlike other regions in the north and east of the country, has been home to ongoing strife amid an influx of returning refugees.

In keeping with the theme of conflict resolution, panellists encouraged Afghan youth in the audience to become “ambassadors for peace,” and to spread the message of non-violence to resolve disputes. They asked the young Kandaharis to work together to play a role in mediation, including using peaceful interpretations of religion to avoid embracing violence.

Gul Ahmad Naimi, a Kandahar Mirwais University law faculty lecturer and one of the panellists, said that youth should avoid looking on others, no matter their background, in a prejudicial manner, and should focus their energy on bringing about unity and harmony.

“Youth are a powerful force, and they should engage in meaningful dialogue to raise awareness about peace,” said Mr. Naimi.

This event was the tenth in a series of UN-backed TV debates on the role of youth in peace, and was conducted in partnership with Hewad TV, a leading media outlet in Kandahar.

One of the results of the ongoing series has been the inclusion of youth in some of the decision-making processes carried out by the Kandahar Provincial Peace Committee.

An edited version of the pre-recorded debate will be televised on Hewad TV and Radio, reaching an estimated audience of 400,000 people in and around Kandahar.

UNAMA is mandated to support the Afghan Government and the people of Afghanistan as a political mission that provides 'good offices' among other key services. 'Good offices' are diplomatic steps that the UN takes publicly and in private, drawing on its independence, impartiality and integrity, to prevent international disputes from arising, escalating or spreading.

UNAMA also promotes coherent development support by the international community; assists the process of peace and reconciliation; monitors and promotes human rights and the protection of civilians in armed conflict; promotes good governance; and encourages regional cooperation.