Ethiopia is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups that all have their own indigenous language, cultural, social and traditional values, and religious beliefs and lifestyle that represent their unique identity and make them different from the rest of the world.
These deep-seated common values hold significant importance among the community in terms of fostering a sense of belongingness and togetherness, promoting unity, cooperation, and mutual support among community members. Thus, they have been entertained and utilized for a long time on different occasions for various purposes. In turn, being pillars of their togetherness and solidarity, they have supported to reinforce social fabric, promote cohesion and tolerance, undo challenges and to live together regardless of any differences be it ethnic, language, culture, faith or any other background.
These shared values are also important ingredients that help people address conflicts that may arise between and among the communities and restore peace. For years this rich way of addressing conflict helped communities resolve conflicts and build peace.
For instance, the Gada System that is practiced among the people of Oromo, Shimgilina, exercised among Amharas and Arara Traditional Reconciliation System practiced by Sidama people, are among other cherished values that are passed from generation to generation and still used to settle disputes and deepen a sense of solidarity and peace between and among diverse societies. These conflict resolution mechanisms as they involve various mechanisms including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, punishment and compensation and reconciliation, are believed to be instrumental in resolving conflicts and restoring peace and harmony among the community. Most importantly, because they have greater acceptance among the community, highly interrelated to the psychological makeup of that specific group and fit with the culture and lifestyle of the community, indigenous values are found to be much more beneficial in terms of addressing conflicts, maintaining sustainable peace and social cohesion.
However, these days, it seems that the values are eroded for various reasons such as globalization, urbanization, as well as economic and political pressures. However, as they are the most fundamental elements to build trust, foster unity and togetherness, inculcate a sense of tolerance and understanding and create a civilized society that values unity in diversity, capitalizing on the common values that unite us and strengthen our solidarity is crucial to promote national consensus and building national unity.
Accordingly, these days, a number of higher education institutions, private and government organizations are striving to promote and strengthen shared values among the people to achieve common goals.
Recently, Hawassa University revealed that it is working actively to discharge its responsibility in the country’s peace and growth endeavors through developing and promoting the community’s common values.
As University’s President Ayano Berasso (PhD) stated to local media, the University is working determinedly to contribute its share in building sustainable peace and development by undertaking research works on the community’s common values.
The President stated this at the 5th annual national research conference hosted by College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hawassa University, under the theme: “Promoting Socio-Cultural Diversity, Shared Values and Peace for Sustainable Development in Ethiopia.”
According to Ayano, it is possible to ensure sustainable peace and development by promoting and utilizing the diverse identities, cultures and common values that are practiced in Ethiopia. The University is exerting utmost effort to fulfill its role in building sustainable peace and development taking the advantage of the common values that tie Ethiopians as one through research.
In addition, by conducting research works on the culture and values of the surrounding community which are vital to ensure lasting peace and sustainable development and arranging platforms for scholars and other stakeholders to discuss on the subject, the University is working diligently, he added.
Underscoring the necessity of promoting socio-cultural diversity and shared values in bringing peace and sustainable development, Ayano urged all stakeholders, including the government, media and community to work jointly towards finding lasting solutions for the prevailing conflicts in the country.
Dean of College of Social Science and Humanities at the University, Prof. Zeleke Arficho also said that if we study and employ the diversified cultural values and social interaction in the desired way, we can bring about tangible outcomes in building peace and achieving economic growth throughout the nation.
The theme of the conference strikes at the heart of the current generation’s shared aspiration for better tomorrow, and underscores the commitment to fostering environmental sustainability and development, social equity and inclusion, societal transformation, language, media and communication, he added.
Scholars are expected to identify the values that indigenous knowledge holds on to strengthen peace and development through conducting research and studies and come up with productive and workable discussion. The College is organizing such conferences so that findings can reach the policy making bodies in an appropriate way.
“Diversity, in its essence, could not be the cause for contention and conflict. Thus, we have to practically show the importance of our togetherness and unity through research and we are expected to fill the knowledge gap among the community,” Prof. Zeleke remarked.
He also mentioned Collage’s preparation to admit students for a post graduate program at a new department called “Indigenous Studies.” The department has an ambition of producing scholars who conduct research on indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms, medicine, environmental protection and other similar areas.
Seasoned Linguistics Scholar from the Addis Ababa University, Prof. Baye Yimam also said that extensive research activities should be done on the common values and wealth of the community, emphasizing on the role of language in promoting shared values in Ethiopia.
“Though there are some initiatives, they should be further strengthened. Teaching research findings and options to the generation should get due attention,” Prof. Baye remarked.
What is more, for the reason that common values have the power to bring all together, educational institutions, including the media, should work committedly in promoting them and informing the people.
Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer with the University, Tafesse Matewos (PhD), also underlined that failure to manage diversity and lack of adherence to our shared values are among serious factors constraining our country’s endeavor to insure sustainable development and end poverty.
A total of 15 research papers were presented by distinguished researchers from different universities at the conference followed by academic discussions, questions comments and suggestions from participants.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 23 MAY 2024
