The Meeting of Minds of Ethiopians Forum for Political Civility

There was a historic gathering of like-minded people from the Ethiopians Forum for Political Civility pal talk room on September 7, 2007.  The group had only known itself in the cyber world and knew of each other via text or voice.  It was meeting for three days from September 7 to 9, 2007. 

The Ethiopians Forum for Political Civility came together and met in person on its three-day retreat.  This diverse group of Ethiopians spent a year communicating only through the virtual world.  There had been talk of one day meeting in person.  It materialized on September 7^th, 2007 and a new chapter was open for the participants.  

It was a very exciting moment for all who met and it was a joy to match the voice with the face.  It was a long over due meeting.  Each person felt close since the cyber world had offered close communication even though it was not in person.  In this historic meeting physically, all the members of the group collectively celebrated the first anniversary of the meeting of minds.   Although the anniversary was a meeting of putting names and voices to the person, the bond got strengthened.   One year of sharing ideas had indeed created friendship and it was a time of jubilation to meet in person.   Each person felt like they were meeting long lost friends.  There was laughter and joy to be able to put a face to the voice that was echoing all year in the cyber space.  The total number of people was 27 to 30.

The group had already established a common goal as far as the development of the country is concerned.  It had discussed so many of the political and economic situations of the country.   Now the face to face meeting moved the virtual meeting to the real world meeting.  The group met to collectively celebrate the one-year work and to forge ahead towards the future to define the next step in the involvement of our country’s development. 

We met for three days and came to a consensus.  We committed to each other to continue providing space for a healthy dialogue.  We also decided to emerge as a collective body to step toward endorsing the various development of our country.  We met because of our common set of principles.  We acknowledged and vowed that we would continue promoting the short and long-term development of our country.  It was an agreement that each participant made to actually start a process to help the people at home.

The group focused on how best to continue its assistance to its country within the larger context of the country to enhance the effectiveness of the development path. 

The group has agreed to continue to meet and further design ways and means to help the home front.  The objective is to work for its people to reduce poverty and promote equitable growth.   It has functioned in the cyber world by engaging in dialogue and it will continue to promote civil dialogue.  However, the stable situation of the country encourages for the Diaspora to invest in the country and help the diverse people of Ethiopia.  Emphasis was made on the medium of communication that was used and how the group came together only because it was able to find a common ground and shared objectives.

It has recognized that there is peace in the country and that it is willing to organize itself and work in alignment with the development work in the country.  It is willing to work in collaboration to contribute to the vast ongoing development of the country.

Ethiopian Forum for Political Civility

Sep 12, 2007