Attitudes of violence and intolerance in Afghanistan are being reduced with the help of Afghan Red Crescent Youth. The activities bring people together socially from diverse backgrounds and promote coexistence and tolerance.

Since 2003, the humanitarian values programme of ARCS has developed a strong pool of youth volunteers as agents of change. The programme has provided guidance on coexistence, friendship, tolerance and other aspects of humanitarian values to a society where people in their 20s earlier knew little else but war and instability. Recent youth activities promoting peace and tolerance include the World Red Cross Day celebration of “Stop Discrimination”, with a parade, poems, skits, a special magazine and a musical show. School visits, workshops and a summer camp have also been used to promote humanitarian values.

In 2005, the ARCS will undertake a revamp of the humanitarian values programme with a view to expanding it in 2006. The new approach will build on successful elements of the existing programme; such as the youth volunteer initiative. Through research on community understanding, and the development of a pilot project based on local knowledge and community needs, the ARCS plans to increase its capacity to promote fundamental principles and humanitarian values through all programmes.