Panelists probe Ethiopia’s challenges

By Muluneh Yohannes for Ethiomedia.com

July 3, 2007

Ethiopian academics at the Tsehai Conference address the challenges Ethiopia is facing, and the solutions to overcome the hurdles to social development and growth.(Photo: Muluneh Yohannes, Ethiomedia.com)

DALLAS, Texas –
The opening of the 2nd Annual Tsehai Conferences entitled Ethiopia: On the Eve of the Millennium brought prominent Ethiopian scholars to the fore around the issue of the paradox of Ethiopia as one of the early civilizations of humankind and yet today stands out unenviable for the worst social indicators of our time. The scholars unanimously agreed on the lack of attention and proper study of how and why we get here.

Thorough analyses were given from historical, political, cultural, psychological, economic, social and religious points of views. The conceptualization of Ethiopian Identity was a shared subject of emphasis. Several scholars underlined the breakdown of bondage between the current and past generations. In contemporary historical and political context of Ethiopia, one of the panelists, Dr. Tibebe Eshete blamed the young generation of the 1960s for most of the maladies gripping the country today, and challenged others for being born-again politicians (Yepolitica Nesaha). Dr. Tibebe indicated that the Ethiopian mind fell prey to Western/Eastern influences to the level of losing ones own established identity. Dr. Taddesse W/Giorgis, Dr. Shumet Sishagne, Dr. Hossana Solomon and Dr. Taddele G/Hiwot went along with the same point of argument while enriching their arguments with different insights.

A certain guest speaker who traveled from Ethiopia for the event also caught the attention of the audience and said the people back home were generally considering that the Millennium Celebration would best be remembered if it also embodied the spirit of Biherawi Erq (national reconciliation). He advised the current government to heed the advice of the people instead of a shallow Hulet Zafe Tekela (i.e. monotonous propaganda). Tsehai conferences will continue hosting distinguished guests for the coming four days.