ADDIS ABABA– African Studies Professionals’ Association said it has set out to establish a resource center aiming at making accessible wide-ranging sources of information on Africa’s, socioeconomic, political and cultural matters.
Deputy President of the Association, Medhanit Legesse, told The Ethiopian Herald that the absence of an organized, readily and locally available resource center has presented a challenge to those who conduct studies on issues concerning Africa. In order to address the problem, the Association has found it essential to establish a new resource center, which is expected to have physical and online presence. This resource center will provide academicians, researchers and students with documents, reference books and other sources of information.
“One of our missions is to positively influence policy directions and major decisions of regional and international organizations that shape the future of the continent. There are various ways to achieve the same; one is to create forums in which formerly conducted researches will be presented and discussed by stakeholders.
These forums will, result in publications which in-turn will be made available through the resource center for those who wish to conduct further studies. The other way is to work with other organizations and undertake research on current topics regarding the continent which will hopefully be used as background information for decision making. We are currently registering members and having discussions on our fund raising schemes.’ Noted Medhanit.
Dr. Samuel Tefera Associate Dean in the College of Social Sciences at Addis Ababa University on his part said the existence of such professional associations is very essential.
“There are sources of knowledge in organizations like the African Union. Therefore, bringing the knowledge together and discussing African issues through bigger forums is the major reason behind the establishment of the Association” noted Samuel.
“We have also been in a self-centered circle of knowledge over the past years. But the bigger vision in organizing such Association is to gain further knowledge not only about Ethiopia but also to reflect a continental ideology, encourage and promote Africans to work together on the issues of the continent. It is all about promoting PanAfricanism and shaping a generation well aware of the continent in areas such as culture, education, politics, development, economic integration etc.”
The Ethiopian Herald, June 30/2019
BY HENOK TIBEBU
