In Afghanistan, a "Shura" is a decision-making council which usually includes community leaders and elders. The Children's Shura is an annual, week-long event that gives a voice to the youth, and a direct link to parliament. It is organized each year by the Mobile Mini Circus for Children NGO and includes nearly 150 children from nine provinces, as well as NGOs working with children, and children living in IDP/refugee camps.
Female instructors Hanifa and Parisa teach the young boys' skate class.
On March 8th Skateistan will join the global community in celebrating International Women's Day (IWD), with events at Skateistan’s project sites in Afghanistan and Cambodia. Worldwide, Women’s Day is a celebration of respect, appreciation and love for women and their achievements.
Skateistan in Photos: After the days skate training a young student works hard on his balance. Eyes down and mind focused.
Skateistan is looking for a new member to join our Berlin-based team.
Skateistan began as a Kabul-based Afghan NGO, and now operates projects in Afghanistan and Cambodia. Skateistan focuses on reaching out to girls and working children, using skateboarding as a tool for developing leadership opportunities, and building friendship, trust, and social capital among its students. Across its programs worldwide, Skateistan works with nearly 600 youth each week, and has registered over 2000 students since 2007.
The Founder and President of Peace and Sport, Mr. Joël Bouzou, addressed the Peace and Sport International Forum in November 2012, to speak of the potential for communities to use sport to create social cohesion and lasting sustainable peace. During his speech Mr. Bouzou discussed some of the extremely negative consequences of armed conflict for youth, and praised the efforts of Skateistan to bring skateboarding to youth with few opportunities to play sports at all.
