Future Journalists Question Embassy Officers on U.S. Presidential Candidates
On September 20, two Public Diplomacy Officers spoke with more than 100 students of Kabul University’s Department of Journalism about U.S. presidential elections and candidates. The students were actively engaged, with nearly every student raising their hands during the Q & A portion of the event. The students expressed particular interest in the relevance of the American elections to upcoming Afghan elections, the candidates’ foreign policy priorities, and if new policies might be coming from either candidate to address civilian casualties in Afghanistan. The role of media to examine issues and candidate qualifications in elections was also emphasized. The students also received AVA Collection’s “Emerging Media” and “Independent Journalism,” as well as post-produced information sheets, in Dari and Pashto, about the American elections process and the policies of the presidential candidates. At the conclusion of the program, both officers were swarmed by students continuing to ask questions. This successful event involved the largest-ever audience addressed by Embassy officials, signifying receptiveness on the part of both the Dean and the students for future public diplomacy engagements.