Afghan Youth Engagement & Development Initiative

On February 7th, AYEDI’s Executive Director @khalidhanasiri was a witness at the House of Commons’ Special Committee on Afghanistan’s meeting about Humanitarian Assistance for Afghan People and the Afghan-Canadian perspective For the full hearing visit linktr.ee/ayedicanada

Today marks 5 years since the Taliban takeover. For 5 years, the people of Afghanistan have endured a worsening human rights and humanitarian crisis. Join the protest at Queens Park to stand in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan.

Today’s action: Raise Awareness on Social Media Create a social media post raising awareness of the situation in Afghanistan, sharing your story, and/or our calls to action. #canada4afghanistsn #standforafghanistan

If you’re experienced or comfortable with media, consider submitting a written piece to a newspaper (op-ed), or even pitching a journalist to feature you in a media story. More tips on this: ayedi.ca/weekofaction2026

If you’ve never contacted the media before, and you don’t feel comfortable going on camera, a letter to the editor is a great place to start! Our website has an email template, and a list of editors you can contact: ayedi.ca/weekofaction2026

Today’s action: Use your voice to keep Afghanistan in the conversation 🇨🇦🇦🇫 Choose one action today: 📝 Submit a letter to the editor 📰 Pitch an op-ed 📧 Contact a journalist #standforafghanistan #canadaforafghanistan

Today’s action: Contact your Member of Parliament (MP) for their support in ensuring Canada takes action for Afghanistan. 🇨🇦🇦🇫 You can use our email template: tinyurl.com/r7bt9d3s

We’re calling on the Government of Canada to renew its commitment to Afghanistan and its people, five years after the Taliban returned to power. *Please read, sign, & share our open letter here: tinyurl.com/52uc6e6j* #standforafghanistan #canada4afghanistan

Five years later, Afghanistan cannot become a forgotten crisis. @MarkJCarney @AnitaAnandMP @LenaMetlegeDiab

To prepare youth to mobilize strategically for the 5th anniversary of the Taliban invasion of Afghanistan, we are organizing an event aiming to equip participants with knowledge of effective political advocacy and media engagement in Canada. Stay tuned to learn more!

Today and everyday, we stand in solidarity with women and girls in Afghanistan. #Stand4Afghanistan #LetAfghanGirlsLearn

Statement from AYEDI on Pakistan’s declaration of “open war” against Afghanistan

It reminds us of why AYEDI was started, and why our work is so important - giving youth a platform to lead, and investing in building our community. Our work continues. ohchr.org/en/press-releases/… /end

dreams about human rights in Afghanistan. We are so inspired by the next generation of young Afghan youth - resilient, hopeful, and dareful to dream for a better future. They are ready to take action. /n

.AYEDI facilitated an Afghan refugee youth roundtable with Mr. Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, during his official visit to Canada last week. The youth had an opportunity to share their stories, concerns, hopes, and /n

.@JustinTrudeau @melaniejoly @MarcMillerVM @HonAhmedHussen ayedi.ca/statements/

Do not recognize the Taliban regime as a legitimate government. Canada has always been a beacon of hope for those in need. It can do more to champion the rights of the most vulnerable in Afghanistan. The fight for justice and equality in Afghanistan continues.

Champion the rights of Afghan girls and women: Recognize the erasure of Afghan women & girls from public life as gender apartheid, calls echoed by parliamentarians including Senators @SenMarilou, @ratnaomi, & @SenatorSalma, and MPs @GarnettGenuis, @AliEhsassi, and @HMcPhersonMP.

- Commit to resettling at least 95,000 Afghan refugees; and - Collaborate with international partners to unequivocally condemn mass deportations of Afghan refugees from third countries, including Pakistan and Iran.

Advocate for the rights of Afghan asylum seekers and refugees: - Keep our promise to Afghan nationals who supported the Government of Canada by urgently and actively processing and accepting applicants through the Special Immigration Measures (SIM) program without imposing a cap

to address this ongoing crisis. We continue to urge the Canadian government to amplify its support for Afghan refugees and to advocate more strongly for human rights within Afghanistan. This includes calls to: