22 JANUARY 2011 | KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

 

Finding an exciting career that can allow one to make a difference in their life and in the development of their country is a dream for many young Afghans.  In a country where unemployment is high and instability dictates everyday life, opportunities for exciting career opportunities are few and far between.

 

For 21-year-old Alyas Hameed Munib, a fellowship program inside Afghanistan’s National Assembly has left him certain that his career path is clear and secured.

 

As a recent graduate of the fellowship program, funded through  USAID’s Afghanistan Parliamentary Assistance Project, Alyas takes pride in the skills he gained through his participation.  “I have learned and developed the ability to analyze a bill from a political, social, and economic perspective, and identify weak points that might need redrafting or repealing,” says the ambitious graduate.

 

The Afghan Youth Fellows program recently graduated its third class since inception in 2008, with 31 participants officially graduating at a ceremony in November 2010.  To date, 72 fellows have graduated from the program.  The program provides some of Afghanistan’s brightest recent university graduates with valuable work experience while also channeling their talent toward public service.

 

Alyas’s positive motivation toward public service is only equaled by that of his compatriot youth fellows who are actively seeking work inside the National Assembly.  Three have already secured full-time employment there.

 

Participation in the fellowship program has positively impacted Alyas’ life and given him renewed hope and a fiery ambition to contribute to the improvement of his country.  “I will work toward the strengthening of the rule of law and democracy in Afghanistan,” he enthused.