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Appendiks 1 Judo for Peace The Afghan Olympic Committee and the Norwegian Judo Federation jointly initiated the Judo for Peace project in September 2002. The main purpose of the project is to bring sports back to children in Afghanistan. The years of war and destruction had a devastating effect on Afghan sports, and there is currently a strong need both for equipment and instructors. The aim of the project is to train instructors, as well as to bring in a minimum of equipment (judo mats and suits), in order to kick start activities for children and strengthen ongoing activities. Some technical advise to the Afghan Olympic Committee is also provided. Currently, judo is the only sport supported, but it is hoped that the project could be replicated for other sports. The following activities were undertaken in 2002:  A resident Norwegian coach has given lessons in clubs as well as in joint training sessions for all the clubs in Kabul two to three times a week since April.  One large mat area (70m2) has been provided to support ongoing activities. The procurement process for one further mat area for a national center at the Kabul Stadium has been initiated.  A pilot project for children’s sports was launched in November. A very well qualified visiting Norwegian coach (a former Olympian) worked with young Afghan instructors, and coached a group of children for two weeks. At the end of the stay of the visiting coach a demonstration by the children was arranged during a reception in the Norwegian Embassy. More than twenty children continue to train three times a week. The young Afghan instructors have assumed responsibility for this activity, with some advise from the resident Norwegian coach.  20 judosuits for children have been provided. A large number of children’s judosuits and other sports equipment are currently collected in Norway, and will be transported to Afghanistan shortly. These suits will be used to support the planned expansion of children’s activities in 2003.  An intensive ten days training camp for the Afghan National Judo team was conducted in November by the visiting Norwegian coach, in preparation for an international tournament in India in December. The resident Norwegian coach traveled with the team to the tournament, in which one player received a bronze medal.  Technical advise and support to start a dialogue with neighbouring judofederations has been provided. The Afghan Olympic Committee is currently discussing possible cooperation with Iran and India. In 2003 the project intends to:  Sustain and strengthen ongoing activities. A minimum of six visits from well qualified coaches are planned, of these at least half will be female instructors. All visiting instructors will continue to be unpaid volunteers. The possibilities of increased technical advise will be explored.  Expand the project for children in Kabul, and start activities for children in other cities. Activities for girls will be launched in Kabul, and possibly in other cities.  Conduct training camps in Kabul and regional centers, possibly with visiting coaches from Iran or other neighbouring countries.  Qualify at least 6 persons as national referees.  The Afghan Olympic Committee’s plans to build regional centers. The project is strongly supportive of these plans, and intends to explore the possibility of support to regional centers with the Embassy of Japan.  The Afghan Olympic Committee wishes to have an international advisor seconded to it. Possibilities for meeting this request will be considered. Supporters The project received financial and in kind support in 2002 from NORAD, the Norwegian Police Academy, the Norwegian Army, the Norwegian Embassy in Kabul, the Norwegian Judo Federation and a number of Norwegian judo clubs. The seed funding for the activities was provided by a personal contribution from Mr. Filippo Grandi, and the project would like to extend a special thanks to him for his support at a very important moment. In 2002 the project hopes to expand the donor base. A dialogue with the Embassy of Japan has been initiated. The Iranian Judo Federation has expressed an intention to assist, and possibilities for strengthened cooperation with the Judo Federation of India and other regional Federations will be explored.