KABUL - Afghanistan’s state television channel is broadcasting the second season of a series of documentaries featuring an in-depth look at the work of the United Nations, as well as overall international efforts, to rebuild the country over the past decade.

Co-produced by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), the 12-part ‘Afghanistan: Ten Years On’ documentary series covers issues that were central to the rebuilding of the country following the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001.

According to UNAMA’s television editor, Shoresh Mostafa Kalantari, a whole gamut of issues – including human rights, women’s rights, the rebuilding of state institutions, capacity building of the Afghan National Security Forces, media freedom, counter-narcotics efforts and support to Afghan electoral institutions – are covered in the episodes, each of which is 25 minutes long.

“Even though the UN has been active in Afghanistan for over 40 years, the last decade has been the most significant one in Afghanistan's modern history. And, in this decade, the UN has played a crucial role in helping rebuild the country,” said Mr. Kalantari.

Having begun last week, RTA is broadcasting the remaining six episodes of the series in both Dari and Pashto languages every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and rebroadcasting at 02:10 a.m. and 12:00 noon on Saturdays.

The first six episodes of the documentary series, overseen by UNAMA video producer Iskander Soltani, was broadcast last year.

The documentaries represent part of UNAMA’s campaign to inform the people of Afghanistan on international efforts to support the country on its path to peace and stability. In January, a private television channel, One TV (or ‘Yak TV’) began broadcasting a UNAMA-supported 15-part drama series called ‘Kocha-e-Ma’ (or ‘Our Street’). Set in a fictional area of the capital, Kabul, the drama series deals with real life issues and challenges facing Afghans.

In addition to RTA, local television channels in Afghan provinces will also broadcast the documentary series at a later date, Mr. Kalantari noted, adding that it may also be featured in film festivals and other special events.

"These films are not only reviewing the past 10 years of the international community's efforts to help rebuild Afghanistan, they are also a mechanism to refresh memories of many people on where we were 10 years ago,” he said.

The RTA has long been in partnership with UNAMA, with the UN mission helping produce two TV shows and one radio show every week. The TV shows – Crime Scene in Afghanistan and Mirror of the City – cover issues of human rights, rule of law, current affairs and corruption; and the radio show, Afghanistan Today, covers current affairs.

Last month, the UN Security Council renewed the mandate of UNAMA, established in 2002, for one more year while setting out the scope and range of activities it must undertake as Afghanistan continues its political and security transition. At the core of its mandate is supporting – at the request of the Afghan authorities – the organization of future elections.

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