that people are protected from arbitrary actions by those in power.
Individual liberty: The fundamental right of every person to live their life as they see fit, without interference from the government or others. It is the cornerstone of democracy, and it enables people to express their opinions, beliefs, and values freely.
Free market: The economic system that allows individuals and businesses to trade goods and services freely, without government intervention. It creates competition, drives innovation, and promotes economic growth.
Together, these values form the foundation of a free and open society, where people are free to pursue their dreams and aspirations, and where opportunities are available to all. To achieve our mission, we utilize various approaches such as effective project design and management, performance evaluation, capacity development, policy research and analysis, and public awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts. Through these activities, we aim to strengthen democratic processes, improve governance and transparency, and uphold the principles of the rule of law in Afghanistan. Our focus is on empowering Afghan citizens and institutions to actively participate in decision-making processes and to hold their leaders accountable. As a non-partisan organization, we are committed to working with all stakeholders, regardless of their political affiliations, to contribute towards a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan. Our work is guided by the principles of inclusivity, transparency, and accountability. AJO is governed by the board of directors and managed by its executive team. The current team consists of a Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director and departments include Project Design & Management, Communications, Strategic Studies, Capacity Building and Training, Performance Evaluation, Evidence Based Research, Public Awareness and Advocacy, Information Technology, Finance and Procurement, and Human Resources. Since 2011, AJO has successfully implemented a range of projects focused on capacity building and institutional reform within both government and non-government institutions, including justice institutions and law enforcement agencies such as the Afghanistan Independent Bar Association. These efforts have included conducting impactful public awareness and advocacy campaigns, organizing and facilitating exchange programs to countries such as Turkey, Tunisia, Egypt, and India, and providing comprehensive training to thousands of individuals in the justice sector. Furthermore, AJO has played a pivotal role in organizing numerous conferences, seminars, and workshops on a wide range of topics aimed at raising public awareness and promoting active engagement. Some of these events have focused on critical issues such as women’s participation in the peace process, the Access to Information Law, the use of children as suicide bombers, and combating corruption. Several conferences were organized collaboratively with regional institutions and were held in Kabul, Islamabad, Delhi, and Sri Lanka. In addition to these efforts, AJO has conducted surveys, research studies, and public opinion polls throughout Afghanistan to gather valuable insights. The organization has also authored and published a variety of informative materials, including policy briefs, analytical reports, book chapters, and books on countering terrorism and violent extremism, transitional justice, human security, and anti-corruption measures. These publications have contributed significantly to the existing knowledge base and have been made possible through funding from esteemed partners such as the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States.