Monday 27 August 2007

The Politics of Including & Excluding:
- A Challenge to the CUD Delegation Team

Some individuals may want to create a political monopoly of their interests. I believe having diversity of thoughts and perspectives in party politics is of real value. It is expected that any democratic political party gives a platform to all political ideologies and thoughts but most importantly a democratic party has to be inclusive in engaging non-partisans civic organisations to be the major part of the democratic system.

The Ethiopian Diaspora community has existed long before the establishement of the CUD. I believe it is those several civic activities that have maintained the unity of the Ethiopian communities for decades and these civil societies are the basis for the unity and shared values by the Diaspora community. By civil societies, I mean formally organized non-governmental organizations; think tanks; issue advocates; member based or activist organizations; organized but informally structured citizen groups or networks. These institutions are important because they are built on trust and shared values, which can be transferred into the political sphere, help to hold society together, facilitating an understanding of the interconnectedness of society and interests within it.

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While political positioning, antagonism, or obstinate personalities can make partisan-civic cooperation challenging, there are benefits to working through the challenges to build a constructive partnership. Particularly where resources are limited, cooperation can heighten the impact of either partisans or civic groups acting alone. The delegation team should utilize the knowledge, experience and contacts they are capable to establish with civic organs. Improved public trust is important. The CUD delegation and other supporting actors should have complimentary public images. The delegation should also be aware of the potential partisan-ness of the civic organizations. If the delegation wish to gather an unbiased view, it should to discuss to a range of civic institutions to ensure that they are accurately portraying the needs of the entire Diaspora.


I wish the delegation and Kinijit the very best.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a wise advise? Keep it up Seble!

Tigist

Anonymous said...

Dear Seble, its all the time good to see the effort of our kinijitawiyans. Where ever they go, the spirit still is within their heart. And you did the best thing to have your blog so that we can hear from you upon times. Else as a citizen has worried me, what would be the next life step for these people? Glad that you came up with your blog voice.
Our sisters globally shall, in my opinion, join hands and voice their concerns more louder. For you it may be straight forward to kinijit but others could also create strong bonds of women in forms of associations etc. Please consider this idea of forming "Global Ethiopian Women Forum", including like some prominent human right advocates and currently active participants like meron ahadu, lulit mesfin, mekdes mesfin, alemtsehay wedajo, serkalem etc. The ultimate impact would come toward helping the popular party KINIJIT, i.e. the wing of Bertukan Mideksa, W/ro Nigist etc would be stronger in that way. It would also demolish the feudalistic men dominated thinking of leadership of opposition parties.

Seblework said...

Thanks, I agree we need to have for forum for women otherwise, let alone Kinijit, the entire civilization will be vanished.

Seble

Anonymous said...

Seblework, I'm an Ethiopian living in the west how left Ethiopia at a very early age more than twenty years ago. I'm very encouraged by your spirit and actions in struggling for a democratic future for Ethiopia.

I would love to donate funds to you so that you can keep blogging and help a strong Ethiopian woman as yourself where ever you maybe.

If there is already a way of donating funds to you, using your website please advise me?

Many Thanks and all the best! Keep up your good work.

Anonymous said...

Dear Seble,
many thanks and God bless you.
Women's role is so vital in the democratic culture . I want to encourage you to keep on the long journey.
The DC welcome ceremony to the CUD leaders lead by Judge Birtukan was an amazing celebration.
I have never seen ethiopian political leaders at the heart of the people.

Keep on Sebli

Geda

Anonymous said...

Dear Seblina,
Today I can't resist my emotions to reflect on your blog. I appreciate how wise, careful, courageous and knowledgeable you are. I should say that there is a lot our “big” leaders to learn from you – if they are able to open their eyes ofcourse.
Keep it up
t

Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wpy9bx-uas