• More than 4.8 million children are enrolled in schools throughout the country. This is the largest number in the history of Afghanistan.
• The Ministry of Education, together with the United Nations Children's Fund, started a community-based schools program in remote areas of the country, providing learning opportunities for girls who cannot attend formal schools.
• In a joint initiative between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and UNICEF, a nationwide program has begun to educate up to 25,500 mullahs in 2004 on a number of children's issues, including the rights to education, health care and nutrition, early marriage, reintegration of former child soldiers, the dangers of domestic violence and abuse, and HIV/AIDS awareness.
• More than 500,000 children from Afghanistan's southern and eastern provinces are returning to classrooms to study in the second annual phase of the country's Back to School campaign.
• The United States and Afghanistan signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, creating closer trade relations between the two countries and promoting the economic and regulatory reform that will contribute to expanding economic opportunity, development and hope.
• There have been 4,012 international funds transfer payments worth $1.28 billion this year.
• The Central Bank of Afghanistan (DAB) officially opened its new branch in Bagram this past month.
• 538 justice system personnel have received training to conform to national and international standards.
• Judicial facilities are complete in Gardez, Kabul, Kandahar, Mazar-e-Sharif and Paktia.
Information Compiled by the Military Information Support Team, US Embassy, Kabul, composed of Sgt. 1st Class Ken Sebourn, Sgt. Adam Garcia and Sgt. Phillip Spaugh.