ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
2010-08-GE-159
For Immediate Release
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 KABUL, Afghanistan (Aug. 14) - More than 150 of Helmand's political and religious elite attended the inaugural Helmand workshop at the provincial Government Center in the provincial capital of Lashkar Sunday.

The keynote speaker was Provincial Governor Mohammad Gulab Mangal, who described the event as, "historical," addressing local and provincial government officials, mullahs, village elders, scholars and 13 members of the Department of Women's Affairs, on the workshop's three topics: security, agriculture, and education for the province's youth. The event was the idea of Minister of Culture and Information, Ali Shah Musloom Yar, who hopes to bring these decision-makers together on a regular basis to discuss current issues affecting the provincial populace.

"Peace is growing throughout the Helmand province," Mangal said. "With peace and increased security we can begin to focus on commerce to include agriculture and education."

Attendees discussed the importance of good governance to combat the insurgency. They also urged proactive citizen involvement specifically tying in the village elders with the province's government officials, while weaning their dependency on coalition forces.

"We must respect and assist our Afghan National Security Forces," Mangal said. "Progress is slow," he said, "But it catches like fire and spreads. I will do all that I can to ensure we continue forward, this is my responsibility to all of you here, and to the citizens of Helmand."

The governor was followed by Muzloom Yar, and village elder Sarfar Ghaffari. Both reemphasized the governor's points and urged "unity" and "cooperation" from those attending.