Ethiopians and people of Ethiopian descent in Europe have established a task force called Defend Ethiopia to protect their nation from the looming campaign of misinformation. The task force was set up to counter the misinformation spread by some European politicians and media against Ethiopia and to gather logistical support.
The delegation led by Dr. Mohamed Andris, Deputy Director of the Ethiopian Diaspora Agency, has held talks recently with Ethiopians living in Switzerland and its environs in Geneva.
Opening the forum, Dr. Mohamed Andris, Deputy Director of the Agency, noted that the Diaspora has played an important role in taking advantage of opportunities in all sectors of Ethiopia and overcoming challenges. They expressed their gratitude. In particular, he said public diplomacy has been successful in formulating messages on public diplomacy, coordinating the diaspora media, involving influential Diaspora members, and engaging Ethiopians working in international institutions.
The Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and Permanent Representative to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) in Geneva, on his part, said . He thanked the Diaspora for donating more than 42,000 Swiss francs to the Renaissance Dam and other national projects.
The Agency’s Diaspora Mobilization Expert, Daniel Mesfin, presented a discussion paper that compares the government’s focus on the Diaspora with the situation before the change.
Participants expressed satisfaction with the government’s recognition of the Diaspora’s contribution to nation building and said they are ready to better participate in the country’s development and public diplomacy. Dr. Mohamed Andris responded to the issues raised by the forum on Diaspora Information Management, Investment Opportunities and Challenges, Peace and Security and the Upcoming Elections.
Ambassador Zenebe praised the initiative of Ethiopians and foreigners of Ethiopian descent in the region and called for the strengthening of good relations.
In addition to Switzerland, the delegation held talks with Ethiopians living in Austria, Hungary and Romania. More than 41 million Birr collected for national projects and current calls under the coordination of Berlin and Frankfurt missions.
The Ethiopian Diaspora Agency, in collaboration with members of the Diaspora in Berlin and Frankfurt, Germany, as well as the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine and Slovakia, has provided over 41 million Birr in support of the Renaissance Dam. The gathering was announced.
The delegation, led by Dr. Mohamed Andris, Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Diaspora Agency, held talks with Ethiopians and Ethiopians of Ethiopian descent in Germany and the surrounding area under the coordination of the Ethiopian Mission in Berlin and the Frankfurt Consulate General.
In his message, Dr. Mohammed said Ethiopia has overcome many national and diplomatic opportunities and challenges in the past three years, and thanked the Diaspora for its constructive contribution in the process. In particular, COVID-19, the law enforcement process, Egypt’s diplomatic influence on the Renaissance Dam and other events, Ethiopians and Ethiopian descent at home and abroad have demonstrated the strength of the Ethiopian government and the patriotism of its people.
At the forum, Daniel Mesfin, a mobilization expert of the agency, presented a discussion paper on the role of the Ethiopian Diaspora Agency and the Diaspora. Diaspora members who participated in the forum said that there is no alternative but to cooperate to save Ethiopia.
Dr. Mohammed thanked the members of the Diaspora for their constructive comments and called on the Diaspora members to work with the Agency on the transfer of knowledge as Ethiopia is a country with a large number of educated manpower. Ethiopian Consulate General in Frankfurt, Fekadu Beyene, on his part, said the strengthening of the agency’s institutional capacity has played a significant role in increasing the participation of the Diaspora.
In her concluding message, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to Germany, Mulu Solomon said there is no going back on Ethiopia and that the government and people will stand together and overcome obstacles to maintain unity.
Similarly Representatives of various organizations representing Ethiopians living in Los Angeles and the surrounding area said they are ready to help their country.
During the discussion, the Director General of the Ethiopian Diaspora Agency, W / ro Selamawit Dawit, thanked Ethiopians living in Los Angeles and the surrounding area for their exemplary work in supporting their country. They explained.
The Honorable Director General added that the strong financial and public diplomacy support that has been mobilized from the Diaspora in a short period of time has shown the potential of our expatriates and Ethiopians of Ethiopian descent.
Ambassador Mulugeta Kelil, Head of the FDRE Consulate in Los Angeles, on his part thanked the Diaspora for its support to national projects and current calls. He also called on the government to continue its support for the successful completion of the second round of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
An article on the activities of the Ethiopian Diaspora Agency was presented at the forum, which was the starting point for discussion. Respondents’ questions and comments were answered from the forum.
At the end of the forum, the Director General of the Agency and the Ambassador thanked the Diaspora for their initiative and support to the country. He further called on the Diaspora to understand the internal and external causes of the country’s problems and call on the country to continue its efforts to overcome this difficult time without falling into the trap set by the forces that want to thwart the process.
BY STAFF REPORTER
The Ethiopian Herald May 2/2021
