The Department of State recently commissioned renowned photojournalist Robert Nickelsberg for a photobook entitled, Afghanistan’s Heritage, Restoring Spirit and Stone, comprising photographs of heritage sites in Kabul, Herat, and Balkh as well as artifacts in the National Museum collections that received U.S. support. At this event, panelists examined how this often challenging and painstaking work serves to strengthen national identity, bolster community cohesion, promote economic prosperity, and counter violent extremism.

 

Remarks:Ambassador William Taylor, introductory remarksVice President, U.S. Institute of Peace

Ambassador Alice Wells, opening remarksPrincipal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State

 

Panelists:Ambassador Richard OlsonFormer Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan

Robert NickelsbergPhotojournalist

Barmak PazhwakSenior Program Officer, U.S Institute of Peace

Majeedullah QararCultural Attaché, Embassy of Afghanistan

Emilia Puma Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Laura Tedesco, moderatorCultural Heritage Program Manager, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State