Ethiopians held successful meeting in Frankfurt

Women Association of Tigray celebrated March 8 – International Women’s Day

The Ethiopian Consulate General in Frankfurt/Germany held a meeting with Ethiopians residing in Frankfurt and its environs, on Sunday March 11, 2007 at Deutschherrnufer 12, Frankfurt am Main.

Meanwhile, a few Ethiopians were demonstrating in front of the meeting hall. They attempted to disrupt the meeting by attacking the Consulate staff and by insulting the Ethiopians who came to attend the meeting. The German security took swift measure on the attackers. The organizers of the meeting used some asylum seekers as their tools. The insults were derogatory and unacceptable in the culture of normal Ethiopians. However, the meeting went well.

The Consul General, Mr. Worku addressed the gathering by briefly highlighting the political, economic and social situation of Ethiopia. The three year consecutive two digit economic growth, the democratization process and the tolerance that is undergoing to promote peace and security, and the progresses made regarding the basic infrastructure such as expanding of asphalted highways, electricity and telecommunication and IT; and the leaps and bounces made in education and health were also discussed. In addition, Mr. Worku offered the opportunity for Ethiopians to participate in areas of investment and housing. Another important issue discussed was the unique Millennium Celebration in Ethiopia. The Consul General said that this Millennium of Ethiopia will pave the way for Ethiopia’s prosperity and wellbeing whereby all Ethiopians will take oath to say good-bye to poverty and work hard to change the image of their country by flourishing its unique history, culture, tradition and alphabet. With pride the Ethiopian Millennium has become African Millennium. And calls Ethiopians to prepare themselves to celebrate this Millennium in Ethiopia or in Germany by trying to do something good to the nation. Forward looking is the motto “Ethiopians united are committed to change” for fast and steady development.

Comments and questions raised by the attendees were very constructive and the Consulate has promised to indulge seriously. Some of the questions and comments were:

Why should the government of Ethiopia give deaf ear to the sabotages of Eritrea?
Are there any incentives and priorities given to Ethiopians in Diaspora to invest?
Some commented on the behaviour of the police in Ethiopia and questioned their training.

Finally, the audience concluded that the meeting was very informative and asked for its continuation. All pledged that they will do their utmost to promote their country and involve themselves in investment and real estate.

The Tigrai Women Association in Germany, a long standing and vibrant association, celebrated the 96^th International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at Jugendhaus Frankfurter Berg, to commemorate the martyrs and the strides made in Ethiopia regarding women’s equality constitutionally, legally and in terms of political and economic empowerment. The association elected its leaders followed by a dancing event. In addition, it was a fund-raising event to support 100 HIV-AIDS-orphans to go to school by at least helping each orphan with 120 Birr. The fund-raising was very successful. Many people donated and the Association announced to the audience that they had collected more than half of their demand.