The Afghan Civil Society Forum (ACSF) is an informal network of civil society groups who provide a platform for dialogue and aim to develop a role for civil society in the peace and reconstruction process of Afghanistan . ACSF was established at the first Afghan Civil Society Conference, held in parallel to the Bonn Conference in late 2001. The Swiss Peace Foundation (swisspeace) supported the establishment and running of the ACSF at the request of Afghan civil society representatives. Full management of the ACSF was handed over to Afghan actors at the end of 2004, though swisspeace continues to provide technical assistance throughout 2005.

The ACSF recognises many definitions of "civil society," but agrees that civil society includes those who come together voluntarily to participate in civic affairs for the common good, without consideration for personal or political gain, and in peace. The network, which is made up of approximately 59 organisations and individuals is broad, and includes NGOs, social and cultural organizations, education institution, media, traditional structures such as shuras (local councils), members of the private sector, youth groups and individuals. It is governed by a Board of Directors composed of 8-10 Afghans elected for one year by the Annual General Meeting of ACSF organizations and 2-4 internationals, with limited voting authority, representing major donors and collaborators.

ACSF's overarching goal is to promote the development of civil society in Afghanistan by:

. Increasing the involvement of all sectors and levels of Afghan society in the reconstruction,   development and peace process;
. Enabling civil society to have a voice in important issues; and
. Strengthening the networking of civil society.

In 2002, ACSF's primary activity was to hold and attend big dialogue-exchange and confidence-building forums designed to identify topics of relevance to the peace and reconstruction process that might otherwise have been neglected. In 2003 and 2004 ACSF focused on supporting the implementation of the Bonn Agreement and conducted educational and advocacy activities around the constitution-making process and voter education and events in preparation for the presidential elections of October 2004. In 2005 ACSF has continued its elections focus by undertaking (partnering with JEMBS) a massive voter education project in the advance of the parliamentary elections scheduled for September 2005. The initiative to promote Afghan Civil Society in partnership with CPI and other Afghan organizations is the other major activity that the organization is undertaken in 2005.

In addition, the ACSF publishes a regular magazine, " Jamea-e-Madan i", in Dari and Pashtu and a monthly newsletter in English, Dari, Pashtu and other local languages. ACSF represents the Afghan civil society in many forums, including the annual Afghanistan Development Forum (ADF). Major donors include the German Government, the Department for International Development (DfID). USAID, Oxfam Netherlands (NOVIB), Open Society Institute (OSI) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) who is also providing part of the organization's core funding.

For more information please visit WWW.ACSF.AF