The Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies held an international conference, The Afghanistan Conflict: Australia’s Role, on 22-23 October 2009, at University House, The Australian National University.

Professor Amin Saikal, CAIS Director and conference convenor, presented the welcome address. The conference was opened by The Hon. Warren Snowdon, MP, Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health, and Regional Services Delivery, and Member of the CAIS Advisory Board.

The Hon. Dr Mike Kelly, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, delivered the keynote address.

The conference brought together policymakers, academics, non-governmental organisation representatives, and journalists for two days of deliberations on various aspects of Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan. Discussions covered Australia’s political and military objectives in Afghanistan, the role of international players such as the United Nations and NATO, the nature of the insurgency, aid and reconstruction, the role of women, and media coverage of the conflict.