Traditional Diplomacy: Diplomats to Diplomats Governments to Governments Public Diplomacy: Diplomats to Peoples (Publics) Linking People to People US Embassy hosting the championship Afghan National Cricket Team for a dinner to celebrate their qualification for the next 20-Twenty World Cup.

3 Afghanistan’s population is overwhelmingly young. A Demographic Overview of Afghanistan 43.5 % 43.5 % are under 14 years of age. More than half are younger than % are under 25. Source: C.I.A. World Fact Book 2012

Total population: 28.1 % According to the Central Statistics Office, Afghanistan has one of the highest illiteracy rates in the world. More than 11 million Afghans over the age of 15 cannot read or write. In rural areas, where 3/4 of all Afghans live, 90 percent of the women and more than 60 percent of the men are illiterate. USAID Afghanistan October Youth ( years): Male: 49% Female: 18% Literacy

RURAL While most urban residents identify TV as their most important information source. 5

Afghanistan is the fastest growing mobile phone market in South Asia  In 2002 there were 10 thousand mobile phones - now about million (~60% of the population)  The mobile-phone industry is one of the first two self-sustaining industries in the country (the other is the broadcasting industry) Afghans very interested in using mobile phones used for more than just calls  Internet penetration is under 4% – the tender recently awarded to create a 3G network could change that.  Paywast – an Embassy Kabul initiative in cell phone-based social networking – has more users that Facebook or any other social network in Afghanistan.  USAID mobile banking efforts aim to assist in assuring public and private sector salaries are paid on time and in full, in improving governance by instilling transparency, and in providing a traceable alternative to cash payments.

 Public Diplomacy for the USG in Afghanistan  19 Lincoln Learning Centers  12 University Partnerships  4 Media Information Centers  Hundreds of exchange participants and alumni  American University of Afghanistan  Cultural and Sport activities  Speakers  Interviews, Social Media & Journalist training

 Encourage your ministry to reach out to regular people and build their trust, via:  A variety of media options  Speaking at schools and in communities  Community activities  Hiring people who are comfortable reaching out