Representatives from 60 countries are taking part in a conference on the future of Afghanistan today in London. Among the key points is a new investment plan to reintegrate former Taliban supporters in the democratisation process of the country.

While the war in Afghanistan was characterised by military action against Al-Qaeda and Taliban supporters in the beginning, the violent conflict may currently be best depicted as a very complex counter-insurgency effort.

But how long will the British take part in this effort to create a “better” Afghanistan? Five years, 15 years — add the last nine years and make it a quarter of a century maybe? How long will it take until British forces withdraw from the country?

Having watched last night’s Newsnight, you could follow a debate (or should I say tea party) of Afghan president Karzai and PM Gordon Brown with a group of students. Despite the effort of BBC journalist Lyse Doucet and the rather critical questions raised by the audience, the enormous scope of British engagement in Afghanistan was far from well-discussed.

Both Hamid Karzai and Gordon Brown eagerly complimented their commitment and stressed how close they work together. Yet, in times where two-thirds of the Britons oppose the war in Afghanistan, one would hope for a bit of a clearer outline on what to expect.

A ComRes Survey for the BBC Politics Show has already revealed that over half of those polled had a good understanding of the purpose of the British mission in Afghanistan. Some 64 per cent argued the war in Afghanistan is not winnable.

Yes, the international community needs to find an appropriate outline for Afghanistan’s future. And, yes, Britain will play a crucial part in this demanding process. But for Gordon Brown the even bigger challenge might be how to sell this to the people.