CHICAGO - July 20 - From July 20th to August 15th, a group of seven U.S. peace activists will visit Afghanistan for the purpose of better understanding the consequences of U.S. warfare as experienced by Afghan civilians. In Kabul, they will meet with the Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers, a group of young people who have steadily campaigned on behalf of rebuilding Afghanistan and ending the war.

Delegation participants will continue building relationships in Afghanistan that were initiated through four previous Voices delegations, dating back to May of 2010. They are particularly interested in meeting with people who have been displaced, injured or bereaved over the past decades of war. The delegation’s itinerary will include visits with health care professionals, teachers, students, human rights workers, lawyers, and representatives of various NGOs working in Kabul.

Aware that 65% of Afghanistan’s population is under 25 years of age, the delegation wants to learn from young people about their experiences and expectations. They will also participate in a Skype phone call, on July 21, 2011, with young people from other parts of the world.

Delegation members are: Mary Dean, Chicago, IL; Ed Kinane, Syracuse, NY; Bob Palmer, Chicago, IL; Jacob George, Fayetteville, AR; Brock McIntosh, Hyattsville, MD; Nancy Gowen, Richmond, VA and Ken Hannaford, Ricardi—Worcester, MA.

To learn more about Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers, visit www.ourjourneytosmile.com
Facebook: YouthPeaceVolunteers
Twitter: Livewithoutwars