In December 2024, The What If held a dialogue with key representatives of the Afghan diaspora to explore how they can work toward a unified vision for Afghanistan’s future.

Here are the key findings from that conversation.

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Objective of the Dialogue:
To explore how the Afghan diaspora can overcome internal divisions, especially ethnic, generational, and ideological, to collectively contribute to Afghanistan’s future.

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Participants’ Backgrounds:
Academics, journalists, civil society actors, and activists from the Afghan diaspora, with experiences in exile, diaspora organizing, and policy dialogue.

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Why is this dialogue relevant

Afghanistan is home to 14 ethnic groups, recognized in the 2004 constitution. The main ethnicities are Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazara, Uzbeks.
In the 20th and 21st centuries, unequal access to resources and power amplified ethnic divides, with Pashtuns dominating the political structure.

Decades of political instability and economic hardship drove many Afghans to seek better opportunities abroad, as refugees or  migrants.

Today, there are 2.6 million registered Afghan refugees worldwide with 2.2 million registered in Iran and Pakistan alone. For reference, Afghanistan’s population is estimated at 41.45 million. 

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Inside Afghanistan under the Taliban rule, dialogue between various ethnicities is not easy. 

In theory Afghan people from all ethnicities have more opportunities to meet abroad  and discuss freely. Is it really true though ?  And how can Afghan people abroad meet and discuss pressing issues?

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“What we need is a dominant and coherent narrative. By creating such a narrative, we can lay the groundwork for national unity and work towards its development.”

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Five Key Takeaways:

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1. Diaspora Divisions Reflect Historical Injustices

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The Afghan diaspora has inherited deep-rooted ethnic and ideological divisions from the country’s past, divisions shaped by historical marginalization both in Afghanistan and in host countries. 

The older generation within the diaspora has often been unwelcoming to newer arrivals, creating a disconnect between waves of migration.

This fragmentation is reflected in organizational structures: in Germany alone, there are over 100 registered Afghan associations, many aligned with narrow affiliations rather than an inclusive, national vision.

2. Lack of a Shared Narrative Weakens Collective Impact

 There is no unified discourse or structured identity guiding the Afghan diaspora. Without a common framework, diaspora initiatives often duplicate efforts, compete for influence, and fail to present a strong front in international arenas.

This issue is rooted in Afghanistan itself, where national identity remains fragmented.

Different ethnic groups, individuals, and citizens within Afghanistan hold their own perspectives on it. Which brings the question: how can Afghanistan become a unified nation with a shared national identity?

3. Social Media Both Amplifies and Polarizes

Digital platforms offer vital channels for connection:the diaspora maintains ties and mobilizes globally  through newsletters, social media, and messaging apps, 

 However, these same platforms often amplify divisions. Emotional rhetoric, ethnic loyalty, and exclusionary narratives dominate online spaces, crowding out constructive dialogue and deepening polarization.

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“Let’s support each other’s positive actions in any way possible… Let’s not turn a blind eye, let’s support each other, and stay together. This can be a point of connection starting from me, to each member, and to the larger family we belong to; those of us who have understood certain things in society and want to be useful. ”

4. ‍Women and New Diaspora Voices Are Key to Progress
   Afghan women in the diaspora have been instrumental in sustaining global attention on human rights and the plight of women inside Afghanistan. At the same time, newer members of the diaspora, often younger and well-educated, are introducing fresh perspectives and energy into advocacy efforts.

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5. Building a common narrative Requires Intentional Strategy, Empathy and tolerance
   Participants advocated for educational content creation spread on social media and other channels, cross-ethnic dialogues, capacity-building seminars, and major conferences to align organizations and come up with a common narrative. They stressed the importance of learning to accept the diversity of the country. Learning from other diasporas (e.g., Iranian, Turkish) and building an inclusive narrative focused on national interest are essential next steps.

Participants emphasized the need for an intentional and inclusive approach to narrative-building. Solutions included: Educational campaigns on social media, Cross-ethnic dialogue forums, Capacity-building workshops and Major unifying conferences for diaspora organizations.

They also stressed the importance of learning from other diasporas (e.g., Iranian, Turkish) and fostering a narrative centered on shared national interest. Accepting Afghanistan’s diversity, rather than avoiding it, is a necessary step toward unity.

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“We must unite behind five, six, or seven common goals… and reach a consensus that we can work together on Afghanistan.”

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All participants names are withheld to protect their anonymity and safety.

We used AI to help us with the summary of the dialogue's transcript, and with the copy editing of the final draft.