JIMMA- Vice President of Jimma University Dr. Temesgen Mereba said intensifying explorations in Oromo Studies amid the enrichment of the current political order in the Horn is a must and so the university would continue to create conducive platforms for the Institutes of Oromo Studies to this end.
The Vice President made the promise to the scholars at the two-day long 4th International Oromo Studies Conference held at Jimma University from July 18 – 19, 2019.
“This international conference has realized its goal of bringing together seasoned and young scholars and stakeholders to share views and perspectives with the grand theme: “Oromia State Formation and Socio-Economic and Political Order in Ethiopia and the Horn.”
As to him, one of the most common issues raised was that working to come together and avoid estrangement. He believed that the papers presented both at the plenary and parallel sessions and of course the ideas and suggestions raised from participants during discussions are all in favor of togetherness. “Based on all these,” he said, “the conference has met its target.”
Furthermore, he expressed his delight representing the organizers and presented heartfelt gratitude for all those exerted effort in making the conference successful.
Among the titles of the papers presented during the conference were “Ethiopia: State Formation and the Popular Struggles for Change”, “The Politics of Language, Nation-Building and State Formation in Ethiopia”, “Making Afan Oromo Federal Working Language: a Response to Question of almost half of Ethiopian population through Language policy” and others.
As mentioned by Dr. Tsige Ketema, Vice President for Research and community Service, all the past International Oromo Studies were very fruitful in bringing researchers, policy makers and stakeholders from different corners to discuss in detail on issues considered as the themes of the conferences.
The themes, as to her, include; Oromo Knowledge System which was addressed in the first international conference; Geda: The Indigenous Knowledge System of the Oromo which was addressed immediately after the Geda is recognized as the intangible heritage and Afan Oromo, Arts, Custom and History: Opportunities and Challenges.
The fifth International Oromo Studies Conference is expected to be organized by Oromo Studies Association (OSA) in Oromia, Finfine in the upcoming year, it was learnt.
The Ethiopian Herald July 23, 2019
BY BACHA ZEWDIE
