Ahmad Vali Behnood, Research Fellow at Nottingham Law School and academic co-ordinator of ALPA
Introduction
The Afghanistan Law and Political Science Association (ALPA) represents a beacon of hope and resilience amid the turmoil that has engulfed Afghanistan since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021.
What began as a student organisation in 2019, has now been transformed after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in 2021. Nowadays, with the imposition of stringent restrictions on women’s education and with much of ALPA’s membership seeking refuge across the World, the organisation has transformed its operations and reimagined its mission; the delivery of online learning opportunities for Afghani girls and women who were barred from pursuing education under the Taliban regime. What began as a pilot program in 2022 has grown exponentially into a broader educational initiative, with thousands of students being taught in classes in English Farsi, and Pashto, across six departments, including the Department of Clinical and Legal Education.
The journey of ALPA from its origins as an academic association to its current role as a pioneering online education provider underscores the organisation's resilience and adaptability. This blog article explores the evolution of ALPA’s mission in the face of adversity, focusing on its transformation from a student and faculty association to a critical educational lifeline for Afghan girls.
From Students’ Association to Faculties’ Association
The origins of ALPA trace back to 2012 when a group of passionate law and political science students in Kabul established the Afghanistan Law Students’ Association (ALSA). The founding members, including myself, were motivated by a shared vision of fostering a collaborative academic environment. The idea took root during the Jessup International Moot Court Competition, where students from several Afghani universities came together. This initial interaction highlighted the need for a formal association that could support both secular and Sharia law students in Afghanistan.
Our efforts led to the establishment of ALSA, which was formally registered with the Ministry of Justice of Afghanistan. ALSA gained traction and expanded its reach, growing to include branches in 17 universities by 2014. Despite facing challenges from extremist ideologies and political instability, ALSA’s influence continued to grow until its activities were severely curtailed by the escalating Taliban threat.
By 2018, the founding members of ALSA, now faculty members at various universities, recognised the need for a broader academic platform. This recognition led to the formation of the Afghanistan Law and Political Science Association (ALPA). Initially known as the Afghanistan Law, Sharia, and Political Science Association (ALSPA), ALPA aimed to bring together scholars from diverse academic backgrounds.
ALPA quickly established itself as a leading academic institution, hosting annual conferences that attracted participants from across Afghanistan and beyond. These conferences facilitated the exchange of research and ideas, contributing to the academic discourse on law and political science in the region. However, the rapid growth and success of ALPA were abruptly interrupted by the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021.
The return of the Taliban to power had a profound impact on ALPA. The Taliban’s crackdown on academic freedom and women’s education rendered ALPA’s traditional activities untenable. In response to this crisis, ALPA’s leadership in exile, embarked on a new mission: to provide online education to Afghan girls who were otherwise deprived of learning opportunities.
This shift marked a significant transformation in ALPA’s mission. The organisation, which had previously focused on in-person academic events, now faced the challenge of establishing a robust online education system. The initial online classes, started in the summer of 2022, represented a critical adaptation to the new reality. Despite the limitations and challenges associated with online education, ALPA demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability.
From Conferences to Online Education Academy
The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 had far-reaching consequences, particularly for women and girls. The new regime’s restrictions on education escalated from closing high schools and secondary schools to eventually shutting down community colleges and universities for women. This drastic shift left millions of Afghan girls without access to formal education, exacerbating an already dire situation.
In response to this crisis, ALPA’s members, despite their displacement, recognised the urgent need to innovate and adapt. By Autumn 2023, ALPA had expanded its offerings to include a diverse range of courses, covering subjects such as mental health, human rights, arts, English, international law, and politics. In Autumn 2024, ALPA offered it new courses, including Human Rights, Resilience Roadmap (covering Stress Management, Confidence Building, and Career Navigation), Introduction to Atoms and the Periodic Table of Elements, Teacher Training, Language courses (English, Arabic, and Turkish), and Media Law. Some of this recent semester courses were conducted jointly with the American University of Afghanistan. The courses were conducted in multiple languages, including English, Farsi, and Pashto, to ensure accessibility for students from different linguistic backgrounds.
The establishment of ALPA Online Academy in Autumn 2022 marked a significant milestone in the organisation’s evolution. The academy quickly became a hub of learning, with over 20 instructors and hundreds of students participating in various courses. The Spring Semester of 2024 saw further expansion, with the number of classes doubling and the number of instructors and teaching assistants tripling.
ALPA Online Academy operates on a model of resilience and self-sufficiency. The Academy has six departments including Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Department of Language Learning, Scholarship and Arts, Department of Legal and Clinical Education, Department of Personal Development and Mental Health, and Department of Advocacy and Civic Engagement. The Academy has managed to provide education without external financial support, relying instead on the volunteer efforts of instructors and the dedication of ALPA’s members. The use of platforms like Google Classroom and Google Meet has facilitated a degree of anonymity for students, ensuring their safety and privacy in an environment where education for women is highly restricted.
The Academy’s commitment to continuous improvement is evident in its strategic planning. ALPA has implemented workshops and orientations for both instructors and students to enhance the quality of education and ensure the effective use of online platforms. The introduction of student evaluations and mentorship programs reflects ALPA’s dedication to providing a comprehensive and supportive learning experience.
In addition to serving Afghan students, ALPA Online Academy has attracted applications from students in neighboring conflict-prone regions, including Somalia. This cross-cultural engagement highlights the academy’s commitment to expanding its reach and impact and its necessity across conflict zones.
As ALPA looks to the future, its plans include establishing partnerships with universities worldwide to further enhance its online education programs. The ultimate goal is to facilitate Afghan female students in pursuing higher education abroad, thus continuing ALPA’s legacy of resilience and commitment to education.
A significant achievement for ALPA in 2024 was its Annual Conference, held on October 11-12 at American University in the United States, which became the largest academic gathering on Afghanistan outside the country. The event featured 84 participants, including 78 presenters, and hosted diverse panels on law, society, and politics. Nearly 300 scholars, students, and activists attended in person or virtually, showcasing global interest in Afghanistan studies. A notable highlight was the revival of local-language scholarship, with 15 presentations delivered in Farsi and Pashto.
In conclusion, ALPA’s journey from its origins as a student and faculty association to its current role as a pioneering online education provider illustrates the organisation’s adaptability and resilience. Despite facing significant challenges, ALPA has successfully navigated the complexities of exile and the restrictions imposed by the Taliban, emerging as a vital lifeline for Afghan girls seeking education. As the organisation continues to grow and evolve, it remains a testament to the transformative power of education and the unwavering commitment of its members.
Further Readings
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