In Bamyan Province, land access has been a contentious issue among Hazara and nomadic Kuchi residents for more than 100 years. USAID and Texas A&M University have been working with these groups to resolve major land-use conflicts through mediation and peaceful negotiation. To date, 90 Kuchi and Hazara community leaders have participated in workshops to learn negotiation techniques, gaining practical experience in peaceful methods to resolve disputes.
Ten participants now serve as Peace Ambassadors for their communities, and since April 2009 have been working together to achieve a long-lasting, grassroots resolution to land-use conflicts. Thanks to USAID efforts, these previously opposing groups have been able to identify common ground and are working towards a peaceful solution to a once intractable conflict. Visit www.afghanpeace.org for more information.