By: Clemence Velon-Bazzana, Communication Associate
As part of RWI’s 2024–2026 Afghanistan Programme, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute organized and convened a week-long research retreat, hosted generously by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) at The Pocantico Center in Tarrytown, New York from 12–18 August 2025. The event brought together US-based Afghan fellows, mentors, and invited experts from the United Nations, academia, and civil society. Over the course of the week, participants deepened peer exchange, enhanced the policy relevance of their research, and strengthened their skills in communicating with broad audiences.
The programme included intensive research feedback sessions, one-on-one mentoring, and thematic discussions linked to the mandate of UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Afghanistan and RWI Visiting Professor Richard Bennett. Fellows presented cutting-edge research on urgent topics such as:
- Children’s rights under Taliban rule
- Gender apartheid and women’s rights to movement
- The role of the Ulama (clerics) in resisting totalitarianism
- Climate resilience and political freedoms
- Victimhood and neglected groups in Afghanistan
Policy dialogues featured leading experts on transitional justice, international accountability efforts, and the role of human rights in UN peace and security frameworks. A special session focused on translating academic research into effective policy briefs, equipping fellows to share their findings with policymakers and practitioners.
Partnership with the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
The workshop was hosted at The Pocantico Center of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, reflecting the Fund’s strong commitment to peacebuilding and justice. Karen Karnicki, Program Officer for Peacebuilding at RBF, joined the discussions, underlining the foundation’s interest in supporting independent research and advocacy on Afghanistan.
The Pocantico gathering not only advanced the fellows’ research but also fostered new networks, provided space for reflection, and helped situate Afghan scholarship within broader UN and international priorities. By hosting the research retreat, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund created an environment for thoughtful exchange and long-term visioning. RWI looks forward to continuing this important collaboration with the shared aim of supporting Afghan researchers and contributing to global conversations on justice and human rights.
Read more about our Afghanistan Programme or contact Helena Olsson.
