Aïna's strategy involves providing the face-to-face training, resources, and support needed to create and sustain Afghanistan's independent media voice. It was launched at a time when this voice might actually be listened to - the fall of the Taliban, the emergence of the democratic process, and the reconstruction of civil society.

Various kinds of media are tools for engendering change, and are selected to suit the mediamakers and the communities to which messages are directed. For example, in a country with an illiteracy rate of 85%, Aïna has made radio programme development a priority. Its radio team produces and distributes a weekly bilingual (Dari and Pashto) 30-minute talk show called "Myane Mah" ("Between us"), focusing on political issues, as well as the bi-monthly 40-minute "Dar Velayat Chi Megsarat" ("What's Happening in the Provinces?"). This team also creates, produces, and disseminates radio spots and dramas for NGOs and international organisations.

Some of Aïna's other pursuits include:

• Training - Aïna forms local teams - particularly teams of women - and trains them in disciplines such as communication, journalism, and photography. Both men and women are being trained as photojournalists as part of an initiative to enable newspapers to hire and rely on experienced local photographers.
• The Women's Film Group - Fourteen Afghan women were trained as camerawomen and video journalists during a 12-month course that involved traveling throughout Afghanistan and shooting a 52-minute documentary called "Afghanistan: Unveiled". A second film about women's rights in Afghanistan, "Shadows", was also produced.
• Supported Publications - Those trained by Aïna create and distribute several newspapers and magazines in an effort to inform, educate, and engage the Afghan population. Among them are the independent newspaper Kabul Weekly and Parvaz, a full-colour monthly magazine for children aged 6 to 14. Produced by Afghan journalists with children's input, Parvaz's colourful images, educational issues, and cultural stories are designed to build a bridge between parents, teachers, and kids. For details about other publications, visit the Aïna website (click on "Projects").
• Voice of Afghan Women - Aïna, in collaboration with UNESCO and the Women Publishing Group, started community radio programming for Afghan Women on March 8 2003 (International Women's Day). Six female journalists create and broadcast educational, development-based, and entertainment programmes in both Dari and Pashto.
• Educational Mobile Cinema - In an effort to reach populations outside of traditional broadcast media, Aïna has created 9 mobile units that screen educational movies that are produced in Afghanistan by Afghans.
• Video Production Unit - In addition to producing and editing videos for the Mobile Cinema, this unit produces broadcast-quality reports for Afghan and foreign television. Among the subjects covered: the danger of landmines, disarmament, health, the environment, rights, the new constitution and the electoral process. The unit also produces institutional films and publicity spots for other agencies.
• Independent Photo Agency - In the development phase as of this writing, this agency will work to create and share accurate images about what is happening in Afghanistan throughout the world. A website will be set up to display the images and to make them available for sale and/or licensing to foreign press agencies, businesses, and cultural institutions.
• Communication Agency: Darya - Aïna created an advertising and communications agency to help foster the financial sustainability of independent Afghan media. Meant to be a resource for international agencies, NGOs, and other private-sector businesses, Darya offers a range of graphic design services. It also exists to train Afghans seeking to work in the fields of communications and graphics.
• Regional Development - Established in June 2002, Kabul's Afghan Center of Media and Culture undertakes media projects (written press, radio, video, photography, and cinema). It also serves as a meeting place for journalists and Afghan intellectuals, a training site, and a news room. This model has been replicated in 7 additional provinces throughout the country. These centres form a network that strives to get communities involved in the revival of local cultural life through training, expositions, the use of libraries, cultural events, group discussions, and urban cinema.

Independent Media Development, Political Development, Children, Women, Free Speech.

"Aïna is currently comprised of a team of 25 volunteers and media professionals, employs 250 Afghans (including 130 journalists) and gives training courses to more than 300 journalists and students. Publications supported by Aïna reach over 250,000 readers. The mobile cinema has reached almost one million, and our radio programs have 3 to 5 million listeners throughout the country."