Islamabad - A regional conference of Afghanistan and Pakistan demanded better regional cooperation, improved investment in education and human development and divesting from education of hate, discrimination and militarisation.
The regional conference on education and human security framework in Afghanistan and Pakistan deliberated on challenges to human security and education being faced by both the countries. The conference tried to suggest ways to counter the basic issues.
The speakers highlighted that violence against women, drug trafficking, discourse of militancy, social instability, national security, lack of interaction between the women leaders, parliamentarians and people of Pakistan and Afghanistan as the key issues.
They also identified that the absence of any joint mechanism between the two countries to overcome the issues of terrorism and to maintain peace in the region is a major issue.
Moreover, they discussed insecurities, various conflicts, absence of institutionalised democracy, terrorism, incompatible curriculum and education system, lack of opportunities of socio-economic empowerment of women, absenteeism of good governance and lack of government’s commitment to overcome the issues related to peace and terrorism internally as well as in the context of regional level.
Challenges of low investments on human development are too daunting and reflecting negatively on low human development index, pathetic conditions for majority especially women, minorities, children and other vulnerable groups. In order to invest in durable peace, the governments on both sides must increase their investments in structures of human security, improving personal, community and social security for all.
After detailed discussions the house agreed on the recommendations that stressed on drastic changes in the curriculum of schools and colleges.  It was also recommended that more emphasis should be made on teaching humanity instead of praising invaders and violent tendencies.  
It is also essential to bring changes in education that could develop creative, innovative and strategic thinking leaders, the conference recommended. “All messages of hate, discrimination against other religions, sects, ethnicity, nationalist identities must be removed from school curriculum. Introduce unbiased national education policy, unbiased curriculum and unbiased textbooks and promoting national integrity and cohesion through textbooks.”
It also suggested making efforts for inclusion of contents like human dignity, respect for humanity, respect for religious, peaceful coexistence, human rights, tolerance, acceptance, social justice, social harmony and interfaith harmony in the textbooks.
More inter-cultural and interfaith dialogues on a regular basis would certainly play an important role in maintaining peace.
Violence against women is a common issue in both countries. Women leadership should have regular meetings with each other. A comprehensive system should be developed promoting the periodic and regular meetings for this purpose.
Strong emphasis should be laid and cultural extension programs between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is right time to develop mechanism for border management between Pakistan and Afghanistan immediately since re-alliance between the militant forces is in progress which would damage the peace further, the speakers said.
Joint mechanisms are needed between the two countries to overcome the issues of terrorism and maintain peace in the region. Civil society organisations of both countries can play an important role in developing consensus to counter the narrative of the militant groups through advocacy.
More alliance among the civil society should be set up to counter the issue. There is dire need to resolve the issues among Pakistan, Afghanistan and India to avoid nuclear war and for the sake of peace in the region.
“We need to train children to manage the conflict in non-aggressive and non-violent ways. Refugees from Afghanistan shall be provided opportunities to settle in their countries and a programme shall be laid down to repatriate them and invest in their future,” it was recommended.