MAY 7, 2015 |
By Amanuel Biedemariam,
In collaboration with Ethiopian academics and pro-democracy advocates, the Ethiopian Satellite Television and Radio service (ESAT) is hosting a two-day symposium on, “Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa: Prospects for a Stable Democratic and Prosperous Future,” from May 9-10, 2015, at the Sheraton National Hotel, 900 Orme Street, Arlington, VA.
Ethiopia, the Horn of Africa, and the prospects for peace and stability is also Eritrea’s interest. ESAT and the pro-democracy advocates in the Diaspora have been engaging Eritreans in the Diaspora for over a decade. Such an attempt has been made to involve Eritreans and Ethiopians in such an exchange with limited success.
After ESAT’s visit to Eritrea and an interview with President Isaias Afewerki, the enthusiasm and energy within the Ethiopian Diaspora and amongst Ethiopians all over has been palpable. Today, Ethiopians are eager to engage and move forward with the hope of saving their country and creating a stable, peaceful, and prosperous region.
It provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to redefine and reshape attitudes and bring ideas and educational materials that can help foster an environment conducive for future relations based on mutual respect, territorial integrity, and the interests of all involved in check.
This is also an excellent opportunity for Eritreans and Ethiopians to come together to showcase their unique cultures and traditions through song and dance. To that end, Eritrean Musicians will participate in the cultural event to showcase some of Eritrea’s traditional and modern music.
This is a unique moment and opportunity for Eritreans and Ethiopians to come together in purpose with the right intention. The success and the example this platform establishes can set a precedent for Eritreans and Ethiopians and the greater Horn of Africa region that desperately needs it.
It resulted from an arduous journey that developed over time based on trust and communication amongst Ethiopians and Eritreans that worked quietly to get here with a mindset of expanding this endeavor throughout the US and Europe.
The presenters representing Eritrean perspectives are:
Elias Amare, Senior Fellow of the Peace Building Center of The Horn of Africa, to present a paper on “Eritrea and Ethiopia: Long-term Prospects for Building Durable Peace, Cooperation and Integration in the Horn of Africa.”
Professor Asmarom Legesse will present a paper to set the record straight about False Labels that they try to attach to Eritrea
Sophia Tesfamariam will discuss Eritrean women during and after Independence.
Would you please join this timely forum and musical occasion that can open the possibilities of a better understanding and future relations geared to benefit all?
