Consul General Manawi attends an event on Canada's role in Afghanistan at the Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University hosted an event titled “Canada’s Role in Afghanistan and the Challenges of Wartime Diplomacy” on November 25, 2024. The event featured speakers, including Ambassador Tim Martin, Canada’s former Representative in Kandahar; Mr. Ramin Manawi, Consul General of Afghanistan in Vancouver; Mr. Ricardo Arredondo, Consul General of Argentina in Vancouver (as MC), as well as Consuls General from other nations, SFU students and faculty, and other distinguished guests.
Ambassador Martin delivered a keynote address discussing Canada’s role in Afghanistan, drawing from his recently published book, “Unwinnable Peace: Untold Stories of Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan”. He shared selected excerpts from the book, recounting his experiences navigating the challenges and opportunities during his service in Afghanistan. Ambassador Martin also offered insights on Afghanistan’s current crisis and reflected on how Canadian policies might influence its future.
Consul General Manawi followed with remarks highlighting Afghanistan’s historical context, its geostrategic importance, the root causes of conflict, and the sacrifices made in pursuit of peace and counterterrorism efforts. He also addressed the shortcomings of the peace process, the factors behind the collapse of government, current humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan, and the aspirations of the people for a peaceful and democratic future. Additionally, he commended Ambassador Martin’s book as a valuable resource for those serving in similar conflict zones.
The program concluded with a dynamic Q&A session, where participants posed a variety of questions and comments.
Published in: News
