World Vision urges Afghanistan donor conference countries to shift future response from military focus to development priorities

    - World Vision releases statement identifying five key recommendations to
      donor conference, which includes Canada
    - Purely military solutions will not bring peace and stability to
      Afghanistan
    - Transformational development, local governance and community
      empowerment critical

    MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 30 /CNW/ - On the eve of an important UN
conference of Afghanistan donor countries in The Hague, World Vision released
a statement pushing for a five-point comprehensive approach to stability and
development moving forward. The aid organization calls for a new approach that
empowers the people of Afghanistan and focuses on supporting local social
services, institution building, phasing Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs)
out of the development sector and addressing the threat to children in
Afghanistan.
    In its statement, which is based on its grassroots work, World Vision
notes that 54 per cent of Afghan children are chronically malnourished. With
rising poverty, hunger and insecurity many people now resort to selling off
children as slaves, child soldiers or child brides. With communities on the
brink of ruins, stronger development is the logical next step in the donor
response.
    "Donor countries must focus more of their efforts on bringing balance to
the military-heavy NATO response," said Jonathan Papoulidis, World Vision's
senior policy advisor for peacebuilding and humanitarian affairs. "Afghanistan
remains one of the least developed countries in the world and children are at
great risk. A long-term comprehensive plan for sustainable development is the
response that is needed now. This approach should not be eclipsed by
diplomatic efforts for a regional strategy."
    "We welcome this conference and the recent parliamentary debate as
Minister Cannon prepares to represent Canada in The Hague," continued
Papoulidis. "This is a real opportunity to review the situation - both civil
and military - and shift gears as needed to help rebuild the communities of
Afghanistan."

    Notes to Editors:

    -   World Vision's complete statement for the donor conference in The
        Hague and interviews with Jonathan Papoulidis or World Vision program
        management in Afghanistan are available.
    -   On March 31, senior officials from nearly 90 countries, including
        Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs The Honourable Lawrence Cannon,
        U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-
        moon and Afghan President Hamid Karzai are meeting in The Hague at a
        U.N.-backed conference on Afghanistan.
    -   World Vision has worked in Afghanistan since 2001, supporting
        education, health and agricultural programs along with food aid in
        the northwestern region of the country. World Vision's programs
        benefit more than 838,411 people. At this time, child sponsorship is
        not offered in Afghanistan.
    -   World Vision is an active participant and leader in the Afghanistan
        Reference Group, has spoken out publicly on several occasions
        including submissions to the Manley Panel, budget and committee
        submissions, and has met with the Cabinet Committee on Afghanistan,
        CIDA, Defense and DFAIT officials.
    -   World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy
        organization dedicated to working with children, families and
        communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves
        all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

For further information: For a copy of the statement and/or interviews,
please contact: Sharon Marshall, (905) 565-6200 ext. 2213, (416) 616-9147
(cell), sharon_marshall@worldvision.ca; Tiffany Baggetta, (905) 565-6200
ext.2485, (416) 305-9612 (cell), tiffany_baggetta@worldvision.ca