Mission Statement
Our Mission
A Thousand Voices gives young Afghans, inside Afghanistan and across the diaspora, a platform to write and share their own stories, challenging stereotypes and showing the diversity, creativity, and hope that still exist within and beyond Afghan borders.
Our stories, told by us
Why A Thousand Voices exists
Since the fall of Kabul in August 2021, the global spotlight has largely shifted away from Afghanistan, but the crisis persists.
Under the Taliban's rule, Afghan youth, especially girls and women, have been silenced and erased from classrooms, media, and public life.
Across the diaspora, Afghan voices are often misrepresented or lost entirely, reduced to simple tropes of victimhood or violence. Our stories have long been told for us, not by us.
What we set out to do:
- Amplify Afghan voices globally
- Foster cultural exchange through literature
- Build bridges between communities
How A Thousand Voices began
Born from a belief that storytelling is resistance
A Thousand Voices began with a simple idea: reclaiming our narratives is essential to challenging the way the world sees Afghanistan.
Started as a Project for Peace and Thomas C. Barry Fellowship initiative, the project set out to collect and showcase fiction and nonfiction from Afghan youth around the world.
What has not changed is the purpose: a platform where young Afghans write their own stories, and where their creativity and hope are seen and celebrated.
What shapes our work:
- Authentic storytelling and cultural preservation
- An inclusive platform for diverse voices
- Quality literature and meaningful connections
Amplifying Afghan voices since
2025
Guided by Afghan voices
What this looks like in practice
Everything we do starts with the writer. We create space for young Afghans to tell the stories they choose, in their own words, without fitting someone else's idea of Afghanistan.
Through storytelling workshops, creative mentorship, and partnerships with NGOs and universities around the world, we help writers grow in confidence and reach new readers.
In practice:
- Workshops that help young writers find and shape their stories
- Mentorship that supports writers from first draft to finished piece
- Partnerships that carry Afghan stories across borders
Our team
The people working alongside our storytellers
Our diverse team brings together expertise in literature, technology, and Afghan culture to create meaningful opportunities for writers.
From reading submissions to building partnerships, every member of the team works to make sure young Afghan writers are heard.
Our Team
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Looking ahead
Building toward the anthology and beyond
The top 80–100 stories will be published on our website and featured in a professionally published anthology, launching in 2026.
The project will culminate in a global storytelling conference spotlighting Afghan youth, authors, and partners who believe in the power of words to heal, connect, and transform.
Cash prizes and recognition
The top three storytellers receive cash prizes and recognition for their work.
A published anthology
The top 80–100 stories appear on our website and in a professionally published book.
A global conference
A gathering of Afghan youth, authors, and partners who believe in the power of words.
Get involved
If you would like to collaborate, partner, or help bring this vision to life in any capacity, please reach out. To all the young Afghans across the world: we can't wait to read your stories.
Get in touch