The Canadian Council of Churches is calling on the Canadian government to mount a new peace mission in Afghanistan focusing on two priorities: 1) supporting Afghans in implementing participatory reconciliation programs and responsive governance at district and local levels; and 2) convincing the international community to pursue diplomatic efforts to end the war.

The recommendations are found in Canada’s Role in Afghanistan, an ecumenical brief written by the Council for presentation to the House of Commons Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan, which was released to the public yesterday.