Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world but it has a wealth of hard-working, ingenious men and women.  What they need are jobs.  Small businesses are now springing up in the few large cities as well as in the small villages nestled in the many valleys that bisect the mountainous interior.  Most notable is the installation of solar panels on the roofs of the mud-brick houses -- panels that supply energy to batteries the interior of the little homes.  The result transforms the lives of the people: neon rod lights allow women to carry on with their weaving, men can continue with their many chores of making their compounds secure; and children can study and do their homework in the evening.

But larger projects are needed -- projects that can offer employment to thousands of willing workers. One such idea under discussion is the creation of Afghanistan's first national park in the Band-ia-Meer Lake district of Bamiyan Province.  In that region, amid snow-capped mountains, five large lakes fall from one to another at altitudes from 14,000 to 12,000 feet.  Properly constructed walking trails and riding trails can offer exciting vistas of the impressive scenery.  It's an undertaking that calls out for development -- and what country is better equipped to offer advice and assistance than Canada with the most highly developed national park system in the world?

Time: 11:30am - 1:15 pm
Registration – 11:30 am
Presentation – 12:00 pm

For more information and to register visit www.calgarychamber.com