Afghanistan Report 2009 - Isaf - Nato
Afghanistan Report 2009 - Isaf - Nato
Afghanistan Report 2009 - Isaf - Nato
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Sub-national and Local Level<br />
Establishing effective governance at the local level<br />
complements the development of state level institutions.<br />
<strong>Afghanistan</strong> is still predominantly a rural society. The<br />
Independent Directorate for Local Governance (IDLG)<br />
headed by Minister Jelani Popal has been tasked<br />
by President Karzai to improve the links between<br />
central and local governments. Created in 2007,<br />
the IDLG reports directly to the President and holds<br />
supervisory responsibility over provincial governors,<br />
district administrators and municipalities. Its goals<br />
include strengthening institutions at the sub-national<br />
level and improving their openness, transparency and<br />
accountability. Special attention is given to provinces<br />
where the security situation is unstable and the local<br />
government is less developed. Following the Cabinet’s<br />
endorsement of the IDLG’s five-year strategic plan,<br />
the Government began to clarify the functions of local<br />
government which has improved effectiveness 13 .<br />
In 2008, the IDLG started to implement the Afghan<br />
Social Outreach Programme (ASOP). ASOP is an<br />
Afghan initiative widely supported by the International<br />
Community – ISAF, UNAMA and NGOs included. It<br />
is an illustration of the Comprehensive/Integrated<br />
Approach in action. It draws on known and accepted<br />
traditional practices in the country. The programme has<br />
a security dimension as it aims, through community<br />
cohesion and solidarity, to support ANSF and ISAF<br />
efforts to protect the population from insurgents.<br />
ASOP began implementation on a pilot basis in Maidan<br />
Wardak Province. However, the IDLG recognises that<br />
every province, district and community is unique and<br />
the implementation of the programme will need to<br />
adapt to the challenges and opportunities present in<br />
each district.<br />
Provincial government representatives, local elders, school officials and PRT staff participate in a ceremony to mark<br />
the start of construction of a school for girls in the Behsood District of Nangarhar Province on 11 January <strong>2009</strong>.<br />
13<br />
NATO Senior Civilian Representative ( SCR ) Office.<br />
24