GCIV had recently the distinct pleasure
of hosting seven religious leaders from Afghanistan, visiting Atlanta on March
13-17. Their program covered many themes, including human and civil rights, religious diversity, interfaith cooperation, and community service. Atlanta's rich cultural and historical resources did
much to enhance their visit to the United States.

Upon arrival, the Afghan delegates
visited the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site where they were moved by the exhibits detailing Dr. King's life. Here, they paid their respects at the memorial, and reflected on the enormous impact of the great civil rights leader. Later in the

afternoon, the group received an orientation from GCIV Executive Director, George Brown. Dr. Brown gave them an overview of the socio-economic and political climates they were about to encounter, and helped them to put their visit in perspective with their other experiences in the United States. This orientation helped to prepare the visitors for their meetings with members of Atlanta's diverse civil society. Then, the visitors had the opportunity to enjoy dinner in the homes of local families.

The first official day of appointments started off with a visit to the office of Mr. Joe Beasley, Regional Director of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. Mr. Beasley gave the group an overview of civil rights issues affecting the area and discussed his organization's ongoing commitment to human and civil rights causes. Then, the delegates accompanied Mr. Beasley to a meeting of the Concerned Black Clergy, where they were able to experience the grassroots organization in action. They discussed issues from homelessness to voter registration to politics. The group rounded off their afternoon with a visit to the Carter Center. Here, they met with representatives of the Democracy Program and the Global Development Initiatives. They spoke about the Carter Center's work in human rights and sustainable development around the world.

The following day, the visitors had the opportunity to participate in a Human Rights Advocacy Training Workshop put on by the National Center for Human Rights Education. Here, they learned about different methods and strategies that have been successful in human rights movements throughout the history of the United States. After the workshop, the group was then hosted by CityCares, an umbrella organization for the Hands On and Cares network of volunteer groups, and local affiliate Hands On Atlanta, where they explored volunteering as a vehicle for building community. The CityCares model employs education on issues, grassroots leadership development and community-led volunteering as tools for developing civil society. Many of the visitors expressed a desire to develop a continuing dialogue with CityCares staff in helping them develop the Afghan civil society. Later that afternoon, the group went to the Mohammed Schools of Atlanta, to learn about the Muslim school's curricula and ways in which they inculcate civic responsibility in their religious context. For the last appointment of the day, the group went to the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam, where they met with Imam Plemon El-Amin. He discussed with the group different interfaith efforts in Atlanta, and also gave them a greater understanding of Islam in the United States.

The visitors left Atlanta with many new ideas and valuable contacts to help them in their undertakings back home. We can only hope that their time spent in our city will help to inspire them in their future work.