By E!
I wanted to write about MY take on the 10th ESAI summit a while ago. But I am going through some serious life changes, which kind of led into a serious soul searching. So, I thought I should wait until my head clears up, but I now realize that might take a super long time, so I will write about my ESAI summit experience even if my head is cluttered with so many thoughts. So, this is an informal disclaimer that my ideas might not be coherent and I might unexpectedly divert from the issue at hand. But bear with me and I will make my point at some point.
Normally, I thoroughly research events before I decide to attend them but I figured that no such background checking was necessary for the ESAI Toronto Summit. Of course, things always turn out good when there are conscious, fun loving, young, fabulous Ethiopians around, right? Wrong. I wish I had at least read a bit about ESAI and the projects they have worked on. I wish I had asked about previous summits because if I had done that, I would not have been a victim of high expectations. I now realize that my expectation for the ESAI Toronto summit was high up in the sky, compared to what it actually turned out to be.
I can almost imagine the organizers thinking…Yeman nech yechi mesgana biss? Ableten, ateteten, aznaneten endi ije sebara enhun? I realize that organizing an event is a VERY demanding task so I can only imagine the level of anxiety you, the summit organizers endured. I know u guys poured your heart to it. And it showed. The events were well planed. The party on Saturday was great, except for the fact that the place had a horrible air circulation. The Selam Art show was smashing and lunch on Saturday was also great….
But overall the summit was weak.
There were up to hundred young Ethiopians from all over North America and UK in the room for two whole days to discuss anything and everything about Ethiopia but not enough was said. Surely, the speakers were great. Dr Fikre Germa through the ENAHPA projects gave us a practical example of how the Doctors in Diaspora collaborate with health professionals in Ethiopia to improve the health sector. I loved how Ato Asfaw Seif presented his message in a very personal and humors way. But still, IS this really IT? Is this all ESAI has to say at the 10th summit? I mean if this was the first or second I can understand but the 10th? Surely, it can get better than this.
Or may be there was a subliminal message that was sent out that I had completely missed. I highly doubt that, but it is always possible. The speakers mentioned ways in which we, as students or young professionals can get involved. But my university advisor also tells me those things. I mean we hear it all the time, volunteer, volunteer, and volunteer. So clearly, we do not need to go to Toronto to hear it again. Okay, may be some of us need to hear it again and again but Ethiopia currently is facing so MANY problems that we have so so so much to discuss. Of course, at this point, I don’t expect us (students) to solve any of the problems the country has. But can we at least talk about it??
The past student associations were the voice of the people. The student associations in the country and abroad played a vital role in shaping Ethiopia’s future. Students scarified their lives for THE COUNTRY, ekko!! Governments feared and respected the student associations, because the students were dripping with ambition, courage and YE HAGRE fikir. The student organizations then, fought for causes, stood up for the people and challenged the country’s leaders. We are the children of those, who as students scrutinized and questioned the government.
I am sure the current government is very delighted to see that it will not face any challenge from student associations from abroad. I am not saying that ESAI should take a political stand and be pro-or-against political parties. But ESAI, as an organization should challenge some of the decisions and steps the government has taken. ESAI, as the biggest Ethiopian students’ association should hold the government accountable for some of its decisions. And I expected at the summit we would be working around such ANGEBGABI ISSUES such as human rights, development and Economy, population growth etc.
After the event, so many people mentioned on their facebook status that it was very inspirational to see and meet so many like-minded Ethiopian students. And I completely agree. It is refreshing to see so many young Ethiopians who are passionate about their country. And I believe that with the right leadership, the situation in Ethiopia can get better. As students, we have enormous power, and ESAI offers an excellent platform it just needs to be more firm, assertive and daring. We just have to add a bit of KUM NEGER when we get together next time…of course, that is not always easy, is it?
I now realize that my expectation of the Toronto summit was a mixture of idealism and optimism and it might have lacked a bit of realism. But still, the summit could have been better. Bekka is ESAI summit just a social, fun thing Ethiopian students do every year just to mingle, party and socialize with fellow Ethiopian students? Someone mentioned that they met their partner at a former summit (which is kinda cute). I definitely will not get a wedding ring out of the Toronto Summit, but at least I got palm ring on Palm Sunday at church.... a friend offered me an oversized ye zembaba ring which now rests on the bulletin board where I keep souvenirs from different events. And truth be told I adore it…
