About the Embassy
Cultural Affairs Office
The Cultural Affairs Office carries out a series of activities to promote professional and cultural ties between the people of Afghanistan and United States. The Office coordinates a variety of exchange, speaker, artistic and interactive programs to generate an exchange of ideas between American and local audiences on issues relating to various aspects of mutual interest. These programs address major issues, such as democracy and civil society, human rights, Islam in America, university administration, independent media, local government, cultural preservation, administration of justice, and others.
The International Visitor Program facilitates travel by Afghan journalists, academics, politicians, government officials, religious scholars, community leaders and NGO officials to engage in a dialogue with their counterparts in the U.S. The exchange program administers degree and non-degree fellowships, including Hubert Humphrey Fellowships, Fulbright Fellowships, and Partnership for Learning Undergraduate Studies Fellowships, Initiative to Educate Afghan Women, for Afghans to pursue higher studies and develop professional experience.
The Cultural Affairs Office will soon begin hosting interactive programs including Worldnet and Digital Video Conferences (DVCs) held in English, Dari and Pashtu between American experts in the U.S. and Afghan audiences in Kabul.
The artistic programs and exhibits are organized to promote cultural relations between Afghan audiences and the U.S.
In addition to cultural programs, the Office initiates, develops and maintains contacts with academics, political leaders, community leaders, religious scholars, NGO representatives and other professionals to promote a common understanding of issues of bilateral interest through individual visits and office meetings.