What Are We Doing In Afghanistan?

October 30, 2007

Langley MP Mark Warawa will be hosting a townhall meeting next week to discuss Canada’s involvement in the NATO led UN mission in Afghanistan.

“What are we doing in Afghanistan?” is a question that I am asked frequently by Langley residents, so I’ve decided to host a townhall meeting on the subject,” says Warawa. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 7pm at the George Preston Rec Centre (20699 42nd Avenue).

“There you will hear from four key people who have been to Afghanistan and wish to share their stories with you, personally in Langley.  They are from the Department of Foreign Affairs, CIDA, the Canadian Forces and a young Canadian committed to making a difference for Afghans. Their stories are compelling and worthy of your evening,” says the MP.

“Parliamentarians will be voting on whether or not to extend our mission in Afghanistan beyond 2009,” says Warawa. “I encourage you come to my townhall meeting on Tuesday and decide for yourself why we are there, and let me know what you think.  Here’s your chance to make your voice heard.”

“I support the men and the women who are representing Canada and who are risking their lives to bring justice to a country that has been emaciated by terrorism.”

“Canadians have heard from national and international media about the conflict and the death toll. The media has done a very good job of showing the conflict part of it, but they have not shared the news about the development, education, heath and governance rehabilitation which has been going on,” says Warawa.

“If the general public doesn’t know about the good things that are being done, they can’t make a decision about whether or not the mission should be continued. This townhall meeting is meant to educate the public, rather than push any political agenda.”

“Democracy, hope and freedom. That’s what we are doing in Afghanistan,” Warawa says.

Seating is limited. Doors open at 6:45pm

The guest speakers will include:

David Fairchild (DFAIT) - David Fairchild joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2006, working on Kandahar and Provincial Reconstruction Team issues, first with the Peace Support Operations Division and more recently with the Afghanistan Task Force. His duties include regular deployments to the PRT to work with the team in situation.

Adrian Walraven (CIDA) - Adrian Walraven is a Senior Development Officer responsible for Kandahar programming within the Afghanistan Task Force at CIDA. He has just returned from 12 months of service as a CIDA representative at the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).

Lauryn Oates - Lauryn Oates is a professional human rights advocate and international development practitioner. Lauryn has worked as an activist on women's rights in Afghanistan since 1996, as the founder of the Vancouver and Montreal Chapters of the non-profit solidarity network, Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (CW4WAfghan) and also currently sits on their Board of Directors as Vice-President. She managed the CIDA-funded Women's Rights in Afghanistan Fund and other projects supporting women's movements and peacebuilding in the Middle East and Central Asia.

Major Harjit Sajjan (DND) - The Major served in Afghanistan during ROTO 2 on BGen Fraser staff. (BGen Fraser was the commander of the Multi National Brigade (Regional Command South) in Afghanistan from 28 February 2006 until November 2006.) Major Sajjan is a reservist and a member of the Vancouver Police Department.