Ethiopian Embassy News A Monthly Newsletter of the Ethiopian Embassy, Washington D.C. Year: II Issue 06, December 2015 The 35th anniversary of the Amhara Contents 35th Anniversary of ANDM Celebration in Washington, D.C.... 1 Compact 2025: An ambitious initiative to end hunger and under nutrition by 2025, has been launched in Washington D.C.... 4 Commemoration and Celebration with the Africa Society was held in Washington, D.C.... 5 Ethiopian Diaspora Members in Dallas, Texas held a Successful Meeting... 6 National Democratic Movement (ANDM) Celebrated in Washington D.C. Members and Supporters of ANDM organized the celebration of the 35th anniversary of ANDM on Saturday, November 21, 2015, at the Ethiopian Embassy, which was attended by hundreds of Ethiopian Diaspora Community in Washington, D.C. Metro area. At the beginning a Minute of Silence was observed to the Martyrs whose sacrifice has been instrumental in shaping today's Ethiopia. 1
In his opening remarks, H.E Ambassador Girma Birru recounted the genesis of ANDM, and emphasized that the movement stands as one of the democratic organizations that have been able to actively mobilize the people. During the celebration, the ANDM Central Committee statement was read which pronounced that ANDM will strive for the realization of the second five-year growth and transformation plan with the active participation of the public. Amb. Girma Birru while delivering his remarks The Ambassador further stated that ANDM has distinguished itself by putting the history of the Amhara people in its proper perspective. He went on to say that it is through the sacrifice of gallant sons and daughters that ANDM became successful. ANDM demonstrated to the rest of the peoples of Ethiopia that the Amhara people were suffering under the yoke of successive repressive regimes. He also credited the ANDM for fostering propitious atmosphere for other democratic organizations to flourish. Amb. Girma further stated that it was due to the struggle by the ANDM that chauvinism was decimated and the unity of Ethiopia could be realized through the voluntary unity of the various peoples, nations and nationalities based on equality and respect. Ambassador Girma re-iterated that although much is done to obliterate poverty and its attendant ills, the ANDM and other democratic parties have the daunting task of leading the Ethiopian people until poverty is eliminated from Ethiopia. It was also mentioned that ANDM will continue to mobilize the public for further progress; i.e. improving agricultural productivity, promoting irrigation development and ensuring structural transformation in the manufacturing industries being the priorities in the coming years. Emphasizing the need for proper utilization of resources at the government, party and the public level, ANDM affirmed that its readiness to effectively mobilize the resources. Fighting rent seeking tendencies and backwardness remain major activities of the Movement in the future. In this regard, it was stated that ANDM should continue to promote and implement the good values existing in the organization, the statement said. It is to be recalled that the Ethiopian People's Democratic Movement (EPDM), the predecessor of ANDM, was founded by former members of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP). At its third organizational conference in 1994, the EPDM changed its name to Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), marking its transition from a pan-ethiopian movement to a regional National party. Waging an armed struggle against the Dergue regime since 1982, the organization fought the military regime with other armed groups until its downfall in 1991. After the fall of the military regime, the organization among the four parties under Ethiopian people Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), has been working to bring development and building Democracy in the country. Representatives of sister organizations had also expressed their solidarity. The attendees of the event participated in the open discussion that was preceded by a presentation on the brief history of ANDM. 2
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Compact 2025: An ambitious initiative to end hunger and under nutrition by 2025, has been launched in Washington D.C. On November 19, 2015, the Washington, D.C. based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) launched "Compact 2025", an ambitious initiative to work with countries to end hunger and under-nutrition by 2025, as a first step towards eradicating extreme poverty across the world. Inspired and informed by successes in many countries, Compact 2025 seeks to bring evidence, data, and innovation to the challenge of ending hunger and undernutrition, it was learnt. During the launching ceremony, Mr. Neway Gebre-ab, Chief Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister and Executive Director of Ethiopian Development Research Institute, expressed his country's readiness and commitment to share the experience in the regard. On the occasion, Mr. Shenggen Fan, the institute's Director General, mentioned the expreience of Brazil a country that dramatically reduced poverty, hunger, and under-nutrition by aggressively expanding effective social protection programs and targeted nutrition interventions. In Ethiopia, the increased investments in agricultural productivity, productive social safety nets, and sanitation are accelerating reduction in hunger and child stunting, the Director General further stated. The strategies these countries used can be adapted elsewhere through Compact 2025 s knowledge and innovation hub, he added. By working through countryowned and country-led networks, Compact 2025 will certainly mobilize diverse stakeholders at the national and sub-national levels to innovate and cooperate across sectors to eliminate the complex causes of hunger and under nutrition, Mr. Shenggen emphasized. Pictures from the Event 4
Hunger and under-nutrition bring about enormous human and economic costs. Some 20,000 people, more than half of whom are children, die every day from hunger-related causes. Hunger and under nutrition cost weak economies 10 percent of their GDP on a yearly basis. Yet the tools to end hunger and under nutrition by 2025 are within our grasp, it was learnt during the press briefing. Compact 2025 is guided by a high-level council that includes representatives from the World Food Program, the European Commission, civil society organizations, the private sector, and government officials from Rwanda, Malawi, and Ethiopia. Gao Min, an Olympic gold medal diver, is serving as Compact 2025 s first ambassador. Four focal countries Rwanda, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Bangladesh have already become partner with Compact 2025. They are committed to rapidly ending hunger and under nutrition by working to scale up existing programs for greater impact and by learning from countries that have succeeded in reducing hunger and under nutrition. Ending hunger and under nutrition by 2025 will contribute to other UN Sustainable Development Goals by ending extreme poverty, reduce mortality, promote educational attainment, and generate higher jobs it was learnt. Commemoration and Celebration with the Africa Society was held in Washington, D.C. A commemoration of notable individuals and a celebration by the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa was held at Embassy of Ethiopia, on December 01, 2015 in the presence of Ms. Karen Bass, a Member of US Congress. Amb. Girma Birru while delivering his remarks In his remarks, Ambassador Extra-Ordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to the US, Mexico and Jamaica, Girma Birru, expressed his appreciation to the organizers for the persistence they have displayed in making the event a reality. He also stated that he was a witness to the commitment of the organizers, as this is not for the first time that he attended the event since becoming Ethiopian Ambassador to the United States of America. The Special Envoy recalled that, it is pertinent to remember that Embassy of Ethiopia hosted the Africa Society's "Ambassador Andrew Young lecture series" which in a way recognized prominent African and American leaders who have contributed to Africa-US friendly relations. The Ambassador expressed his firm belief that the meeting shall create additional propitious conditions for further boosting Ethiopia-US all-round ties and assured the organizers of the meeting a continued support of the Embassy. President and CEO of Africa Society, Bernadette B. Paolo, Esq. made an opening remark and expressed the Society's resolve to continue with the noble task of creating conducive atmosphere for furthering its mission. Mrs. Paolo then invited the day's speaker Mr. Noah Samara, Esq. Chairman, Africa Society Board Founder, Chairman and CEO, YAZMI to address the meeting. 5
Ethiopian Diaspora Members in Dallas, Texas held a Successful Meeting Members of the Ethiopian Diaspora residing in Dallas, Texas held a successful meeting on December 05/2015. The meeting was organized by the Ethiopian Renaissance Council in Dallas. Ms. Bernadette B. Paolo speaking at the event In his speech Mr. Noah stressed the paramount significance of educating both the African and American public as it would pave the way to mutual understanding. As a rising continent, Africa, he said, is poised to influence the global economy and thereby world culture and politics. Ambassador Girma Birru, Special Envoy, Ambassador Extra-Ordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to the US, Mexico and Jamaica addressed the diaspora. Amb. Girma Birru addressing the meeting Counselor Merkebu Beyene from Diaspora Affairs Department of the Ethiopian embassy apprised those Congress Member Ms. Karen Bass delivering remarks A documentary film, prepared by Borderline pictures, who are engaged in Investment and sending, Remittance to their compatriots. He also talked about Diaspora Housing development and current issues. was presented and presentation to Honorees in recognition of their services to the Society, was also handed over. Ato Merkebu Beyene during the presentation 6
The participants raised many questions including El Nino induced droughts and disturbances in Oromia region. Amb. Girma addressed all questions to the satisfaction of the audience. The Special Envoy during the interactive meeting reminded the Diaspora members to take personal initiative to actively engage in the national development using their competencies, skills and fund to make a difference in all fields. He also stressed that the Diasporas are expected to involve in Investment ventures in Ethiopia. In this connection the Renaissance Council of Dallas, he underlined, should play its role in organizing the Diaspora. Ambassador Girma also head separate discussions on the development efforts of different groups in Dallas and its surrounding areas. Chairman of the Ethiopian Renaissance Council in Dallas, Teklu Berhane while opening the meeting Pictures from the event 7
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