After years of military interventions, the current situation in Afghanistan is highly ambivalent and partially contradictory - especially regarding the interplay of development, peace, security, education, and economy. Despite numerous initiatives, Afghanistan is still confronted with a poor security and economic condition. At the same time, enrollment numbers in schools and universities as well as the rate of academics reached a historical peak. This volume investigates the tension between these ambivalent developments. Sociologists, political and cultural scientists along with development workers, educators, and artists from Germany and Afghanistan discuss the idea that education is primary for rebuilding a stable Afghan state and government.

Uwe H. Bittlingmayer (Prof. Dr. phil.) teaches Sociology at the Institute of Sociology, University of Education Freiburg (Germany). AnneMarie Grundmeier (Prof. Dr. rer. pol.) teaches and researches in the field of cultural sciences at the Institute of Everyday Life Culture, Sports and Health at the University of Education Freiburg. Reinhart Kößler (Prof. Dr. phil.) was director of the Arnold Bergstraesser Institute in Freiburg and is Visiting Professor and Research Associate at the Institute of Reconciliation and Social Justice at the University of the Free State, South Africa. Diana Sahrai (Prof. Dr.) teaches inclusive education at the Institute for Special Needs Education, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, School of Education, Basel. Fereschta Sahrai teaches and researches Conflict Analysis, Conflict Resolution and Peace-Building at the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University for Peace in Costa Rica and teaches inclusive education at the Institute for Special Education and Psychology, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland.