What has actually motivated me to share my views on the importance of interculturality as a tool for peace building emanated from my personal observation that cultural diversity can be positively used to promote lasting peace instead of becoming an obstacle for reliable peace in the country. Before I proceed, let me start with introducing some basic concepts related to culture.
Interculturality as defined by UNESCO in the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of cultural Expressions as the existence and equitable interaction of diverse cultures and the possibility of generating shared cultural expressions through dialogue and mutual respect.
On the other hand, interculturality differs from multi-culturalsim in the sense that while multi-culturalsim deals with cultural diversity with a particular nation or social groups, inter-culturality is concerned with exchange beyond the boundaries of the nation or cultural group.
According to the UNESCO convention, eight major principles pertaining to interculturality explain the content of dealing with diverse cultures for the purpose of ensuring cultural equality between nations and peoples of the world. These principles include respect for human rights and universal freedom, principle of cultural sovereignty of countries, equal dignity and respect of all cultures, international solidarity and cooperation, complementarity of economic and cultural aspects of development, sustainable development, equitable access and principle of openness and balance.
As a member of UNESCO and one of the signatories to the Convention, Ethiopia is expected to respect the above mentioned principles in tally with the constitution of the country. Ethiopia is a country that possesses diverse cultural values, intangible and tangible cultural heritages that have flourished in a peaceful and harmonious manner for ages.
In Ethiopia, interculturality has always been the center for unity and peace. For instance a number of holidays and cultural festivals that have prevailed in the country for thousands of years between July and September have not only been centers of attraction in the country’s tourist industry while some are already registered by UNESCO as intangible heritages of mankind.
Ethiopians have always practiced and intercultural life among themselves and this has to a greater degree contributed to the prevalence of peace and respect among the nation, nationalities and peoples in the country. The point now is how we can use these social capitals for ascertaining peace and peaceful development of the country.
No culture in this country advocates for deliberate conflict and likewise no culture practiced in this country preaches hatred and cultural animosity. In my opinion, every cultural heritage in this country can prevail when these cultural heritages are skillfully and creatively used to ensure sustained peace in the country.
For instance the Oromos celebrate Errecha as an occasion of peace and thanksgiving but unfortunately over the last couple of years it has been used as a forum for promoting political agenda contrary to the age old values on which the celebration is based. Among the Sidama, Fitche Chambbalala is a celebration of New Year which heralds peaceful development.
Marking the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Day has always been associated with peace, development and interculturality in which the representatives of the peoples of Ethiopia come together to declare peace and development through respect and appreciation for the cultural diversity of the country known among nations of the world.
The prevalence of hatred, motivated violence which led to the loss of human life, destruction of property and displacement would only help to catalyze the hidden agenda of the enemies of peace and development.
In Ethiopia there is no pure and unblended race or nation in the country as some might seem to think. The reality on the ground shows that the peoples of Ethiopia had always chosen to live in peace. Thus, the religious leaders, elders and local administrators should teach lessons on the advantages of cross cultural interactions among the peoples of Ethiopia.
Let me make suggestions on my part. The leaders of one state need to invite guests from other nations and nationalities to their festivals. They can invite their Muslim sisters and brothers to various religious festivals like Meskel and Timket while their Muslim sisters and brothers can invite their Christian friends to Muslim holiday celebrations like Arefa and the Ramadan as it is usually practiced in some Amhara State zones like Northern Wollo.
The principles enshrined in interculturality should also be incorporated in the educational system of the country. University professors from different nations and nationalities can be assigned to universities and regions and zones with varying cultural settings so that they can make researches on the nature of cultural diversities of the regions to which they are assigned.
At the same time, assigning prospective university students to different zones of the country will help them to appreciate cultural heritages and values outside their own experience.
Interculturality is not an entirely new phenomenon in Ethiopia. For instance, although there are four groups of languages in the country, a number of linguistic studies indicate that in each language there are a certain percentage of words and phrases borrowed from another language. Numerous examples exist to demonstrate the exchange of words between various languages across the country.
Ethiopia has enough legal instruments that can be used to promote peace and stability among peoples of different cultures in the country. The federal constitution guarantees.
The government has already established a Peace and Reconciliation Commission entrusted with coordinating and supporting peace and reconciliation activities in the country but community based civil society organization have a greater role to play in coordinating the prevalence of peace among various ethnic groups in their respective areas of operation.
Apart from mainstreaming interculturality into their development programs, civil society organizations can also encourage individuals and social groups including the youth to take practical and active part in establishing sustained peace in their respective localities.
In Ethiopia, under a situation of conflicts and displacements, children, their mothers and the elderly are the most affected. Intercultural values of respect for these groups of the social stratum can be exploited to ascertain their protection at the times of crisis.
I also think that Ethiopia can use its vast intercultural resources for the promotion of peace among different ethnic groups in the country. For instance, joint development programs in and around the border areas of the country will help to promote inter-ethnic economic development targeting reduction of poverty in the areas bordering different ethnic groups.
Researches on traditional means of resolving conflicts are so far sidelined both in the academic activities of the universities and few research centers in the country. I have the opinion that specific researches related to using cultural values to promote development is very important for ensuring lasting peace that is fully protected by the joint cooperation among ethnic groups that come into loggerheads due to competition on scares resources.
Interculturality in Ethiopia can help to foster grassroots level partnership in ascertaining cooperation in the event of possible natural and manmade disasters like the proliferation of army worms and locust that can affect the livelihood of peoples in different parts of the country.
I feel that there is a lot to be done in using the diversity of cultures for promoting peace in this country. I think we need a public dialogue not only with the intellectuals but also with the elderly in the public as I feel that they are the custodians of natural and wisdom based knowledge on the relationships between various cultures in Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian Herald August 29, 2019
BY SOLOMON DIBABA
