(September 9, 2004) As Afghanistan struggled to adopt a new constitution, WIDE ANGLE filmed behind the scenes at the December 2003 loya jirga. The documentary profiles two aspiring Afghan delegates who face political opposition and physical intimidation as they literally risk their lives to participate in the future of their country.

Link to more information about the history, politics and culture of Afghanistan.

See historical facts about the government in Afghanistan, as it attempts to hold its first ever democratic elections under its new constitution.

Discover how power shifted throughout Afghanistan's tumultuous history in the Info-Graphic.

Photo Essay: A Ravaged Country - See the effects of two decades of war

Ahmed Rashid discusses nation building in Afghanistan with host Mishal Husain.

As Afghanistan prepares for its first-ever direct presidential elections on October 9, 2004, international actors should strive for the best but not be too disappointed at shortcomings and difficulties. Neither this election, nor the elections to the lower house of parliament, tentatively scheduled for April 2005, will make Afghanistan a fully functioning democracy.

Afghanistan is one of at least 34 countries worldwide that have written new constitutions in the last ten years. Each of these countries has taken its own approach to the writing of its constitution as well as to its subsequent adoption.

According to UNESCO, one out of every five school-aged children, approximately 115 million, in developing countries is not enrolled in primary school. One out of four women in the world cannot read.

A photo essay about innovative programs that offer basic education to the poorest children.

Girls' education is emerging as one of the top priorities of the international development community.

More than a hundred million children have never spent a day in school. Time for School spotlights the global crisis in access to education.