Afghanistan and the War for Hearts and Minds

Trust in Education (TIE) is a grass roots, non-profit organization founded in May 2003 to provide health care, education and economic development programs in Afghanistan. One of TIE’s most prominent projects was to fund the building of a secular school in Lalander located 25 kilometers south of Kabul. They have also established several community (in home) classes for girls, in response to the escalation of the war against women waged by the Taliban. In addition, TIE is making micro-business loans, expanding agricultural production, improving irrigation systems, and providing capital for whatever will assist the villagers in becoming economically independent. Complementary to these Afghanistan-based activities, an equal amount of time is devoted to educating Americans about our involvement in Afghanistan, past, present and future. The reconstruction and war efforts in Afghanistan have encountered serious setbacks recently. At its core the war in Afghanistan is a war for hearts and minds. Some think we are losing. Others think it’s lost. Hardly anyone is optimistic. Should Americans care what happens in Afghanistan? This will be an opportunity for you to engage in a thought provoking discussion with someone who is immersed in the struggle.

Presenter(s)

Budd MacKenzie is the founder of Trust in Education. He majored in Economics at Amherst College before pursuing a law degree and an MBA at the University of California Berkeley. Since 1971, Budd has had a private practice where he has provided legal and business counsel to entrepreneurs.