“Before the Taliban regime, young Afghans, both boys and girls, actively engaged and contributed to implementing the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals and supporting democratic values,” says Zarif Safa Bakhtyari, who was involved in managing educational and research projects in the fields of education, economics and human rights through national and international organizations in Afghanistan. Zarif is an economist who holds three international scholarships, two from Germany and one from Indonesia. In 2017, he was awarded the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Young Leaders Scholarship, and after his evacuation to Germany in late 2021, he earned the Elisabeth-Selbert-Initiative scholarship from the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen to continue his human rights and civil society activities.

In Afghanistan, Zarif set up the “Startup Weekend” program at Kabul University with other organizers. “The aim was to educate and encourage youths and students in the fields of business and sustainable economics in Afghanistan.” While he was on a DARMASISWA scholarship in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, Zarif and other Afghan students and young people from different countries came together and created a digital platform named Barkhat. “The purpose of this platform was to create an educational and support network among youth, covering topics such as Human Rights Education and the Sustainable Development Goals.” Since its establishment in 2020, Zarif has been actively engaging with young people in Afghanistan through this online platform.

We asked Zarif what he thinks of the current situation for young people in Afghanistan. He answers: “The perspectives and beliefs of youth before the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban compared to now are entirely different. Previously, most young people were optimistic about the country’s future and actively working towards creating growth and development opportunities. Unfortunately, after the change in the political situation, this perspective shifted. Many young people are now simply attempting to escape Afghanistan’s political crisis.” Zarif and his colleagues in Barkhat and other online platforms are focusing on providing spiritual support to youth in Afghanistan and striving to promote a unified vision for a progressive society that embraces all individuals. Additionally, they are currently engaging in discussions on scientific topics.

Although migration to Germany was full of difficulties for Zarif at first, he benefited from experience with formal and educational travel, and he was able to make effective use of new opportunities in a new environment. “I look at immigration not as an obstacle but as an opportunity to learn and develop individual values””

Currently, Zarif is learning the German language and doing volunteer work. He is also in contact with human rights defenders and activists, and continuing his civil advocacy for the people of Afghanistan and their country. For him, Germany is a turning point for his civil activities. “The most important goal of a civil struggle is to support the values ​​of democracy and recognize the importance ​​of human rights in society. Since Germany has always been a supporter of civil values ​​and democracy, life in Germany can be seen as a turning point in the improvement of an individual’s life and efforts to support human values ​​and equality.”

He emphasizes how important it is for the German state to welcome and support new ideas and initiatives. “I realize that the role of small businesses is very effective and valuable. People with their creative thoughts and beliefs can contribute to the economic and social development of a society as responsible citizens.”

“Respecting differences and striving for a world free of violence has been my main message and my main struggle. Humans deserve to live in a world free of violence. Now is the time when we can respect each other’s differences and accept each other regardless of gender, color, religion and geography and strive for a peaceful world.”