Ethiopians in all walks of life irrespective of political, ethnic or religious differences should unite and work together towards achieving their dreams in 2014 and beyond. Division helps only the few political elites who cannot live without it. Unity is power. Power is needed to work for change. We need to build relational power to work together; not power OVER others as it will no more work. If we want change, we need to change the way we do politics including the way we think about ourselves. We need to think in broader terms and see issues from different angles and perspectives. As someone born and raised in Ethiopia, I am an Ethiopian. I am also an African. As a British citizen who can work and live freely anywhere in Europe, I am also a European citizen. As a human being, I am part of the human family of this world. We should not waste our precious time and energy on unwanted and unhelpful arguments. What unites us is more than what divides us. When the late Nelson Mandela fought for freedom and justice, he fought for all South Africans. He liberated both the oppressed and the oppressors. He liberated people of all colours, race and backgrounds. Loving one another and working in unison should be the way forward for my fellow Ethiopians. To love is natural. As Martin Luther King once said, “Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.” Love and unity is what it takes to achieve the common good- democratic and strong Ethiopia.
I am a Community Organiser whose job is to build the power of civil society so that it holds the state and the market to account. Strong civil society is important for a functioning democracy. As a human rights campaigner and advocate, I believe we should do a lot to make the world a better place to live in; a place of tolerance and respect to the right to life. I strongly believe no one has come to this world with the rights to infringe others' rights. This blog reflects my personal views.
Friday, 3 January 2014
Churchill Fellowship – an opportunity of a lifetime
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”- Winston Churchill The above quote means a...
