This academic year, there are two new Afghan student groups on campus: the Afghanistan Caucus at Harvard Kennedy School and the Harvard Afghan Students’ Association at Harvard College. The Mittal Institute spoke with Sal Parsa, co-founder of the Afghanistan Caucus, about their inaugural event on February 20 and further plans to foster a sense of unity and purpose among Afghan students and alumni.
Mittal Institute: Thank you so much for sharing more about the Afghanistan Caucus at HKS. Firstly, a bit of background on yourself – who are you, what do you study, and what is your connection to Afghanistan?
Sal Parsa: I was raised in Herat, Afghanistan, during the initial Taliban regime. Later, I was brought to the U.S. as a youth cultural ambassador and attended high school in upstate New York. I embarked on my professional journey serving the U.S. Military & Intelligence in Afghanistan as an interpreter and intelligence analyst. Driven by my passion for data and my aspiration to make a positive impact using technology, I moved to the Bay Area after college. There, I co-founded Predictim, an AI startup pioneering in employing Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Computer Vision to enhance trust and safety in the sharing economy.
Sal Parsa, co-founder of the Afghanistan Caucus at HKS.
Prior to joining the Harvard Kennedy School, I was a Project Leader at the Boston Consulting Group in Boston. In this capacity, I managed all aspects of client relations and team development, focusing on high-level strategy and on-the-ground implementation projects to assist clients in addressing their crucial questions and fostering organizational transformation. Beyond my professional commitments, I actively participate in Project Citizenship, a nonprofit organization that offers free, high-quality legal and administrative services to immigrants throughout Massachusetts, aiding them in becoming naturalized citizens. I earned my MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and hold a BA in International Relations and Business Management from Walsh University in Ohio. Now I’m pursuing a mid-career MPA at the Kennedy School with a focus on AI regulation and policy.
Mittal Institute: Why did you help create this group and what is its mission?
Sal Parsa: The motivation to establish the Afghanistan Caucus at Harvard Kennedy School was born out of the need to create a specialized forum for deepening the understanding of Afghanistan’s cultural, political, and socioeconomic contexts. Our Caucus seeks not only to highlight Afghanistan’s critical importance in global geopolitics and its role in international development, peace, and security but also to unite the Afghan community across Harvard. By focusing on educational outreach, research, advocacy, and support for Afghan students and scholars, we aim to foster a sense of unity and purpose among Afghan students and alumni.
Our Caucus seeks not only to highlight Afghanistan’s critical importance in global geopolitics and its role in international development, peace, and security but also unite the Afghan community at Harvard.
Another central goal of the caucus is to actively contribute to improving the current situation in Afghanistan, particularly in areas like women’s education, employment, healthcare, and peace. Through informed dialogues, guest speakers, and policy-driven initiatives, the Caucus is dedicated to preparing current and future students to become future leaders who can make a meaningful difference in their country. By challenging stereotypes and promoting a comprehensive understanding of Afghanistan’s complexities, we aspire to empower individuals with the knowledge and networks needed to lead Afghanistan towards a more prosperous and stable future.
Mittal Institute: How do you plan to create a sense of community among Afghans at HKS and the wider Harvard Community?
Sal Parsa: To cultivate a sense of community among Afghan students at Harvard Kennedy and the wider Harvard community, we plan to organize events that celebrate Afghanistan’s culture and foster discussion on relevant issues. Our inaugural event, the Afghanistan Cultural Night, serves as a cornerstone for this initiative. Scheduled for February 20, 2024, 6-8 pm, this event is designed to unite Harvard students and the broader student body in the Boston area who share a passion for the current and future state of Afghanistan. The event will highlight Afghanistan’s heritage, with live music, guest speakers, poetry, and food, offering a vibrant introduction to the country’s history, culture, and future potential.
Beyond this cultural celebration, we intend to host future events focused on specific topics crucial to Afghanistan’s development, such as education, employment, economic growth, and potential future advancements. By tackling these subjects, we aim to not only educate and engage but also to inspire and prepare students to contribute thoughtfully to Afghanistan’s future. These gatherings will serve as platforms for dialogue and networking, where students and experts can share insights and forge connections that will empower them as future leaders. Through these efforts, we aspire to build a thriving community that not only understands but actively participates in shaping a brighter future for Afghanistan.
Mittal Institute: How can Harvard students become connected with you? Are there ways for them to get involved?
Sal Parsa: To stay connected with the Afghanistan Caucus, Harvard students and the community can join our Engage Page where we publish our future events. Folks can also sign up for our first event, taking place on Feb 20, 6-8 pm at the Harvard Kennedy School. RSVP here
The second group, the Harvard Afghan Students’ Association at Harvard College, can be reached on Instagram.
☆ The views represented herein are those of the interview subjects and do not necessarily reflect the views of LMSAI, its staff, or its steering committee.