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.

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.

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.

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