Ethiopia's 3 days of Mourning and the Finding of the True Cross

22/4/2015

It was a news item towards the end of prime-time news in the Netherlands and already received less coverage than previous acts of terrorism. Terrorists killing 28 Ethiopian citizens in Lybia. In Ethiopia it caused a shockwave of unbelief and anger that also culminated in some voilence during organized demonstrations at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa according to several news sources. The Ethiopian government declared three days of National mourning. Our hearts and minds and prayers are with all those who mourn their beloved and with the Ethiopian people as a whole.

There is no way to describe the gruesome acts of terrorists that purposefully targeted "worshippers of the cross" like with Egyptian and Syrian Orthodox Christians earlier in the year. Ethiopia especially is a country that linked itself to what they call "The True Cross". Apart from the tremendous impact for families and friends of the victims, Ethiopian culture and society was hit in its heart. For many Ethiopian Orthodox Christians and other Ethiopians as well, Meskel (or The Finding of the True Cross) is a festival that carries a lot of meaning and both represents religious as well as cultural heritage that is treasured by all.

The three crosses are discovered. An injured young man is healed by the True Cross. 15th-century frescoes at the Church of San Francesco, Arezzo by Piero della Francesca. Source: wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_Cross)

Bed, bath and breakfast
Ironically this week the Dutch parliament prepared for a European Council meeting where its prime minister will be talking to his fellow prime-ministers discussing the 'wicket problem' of the many boat refugees in the Mediterranean trying to make it to Europe. And at the very end of the chain: Today Dutch parliament agreed on a minimum support to illegal immigrants supporting 'bed, bath and breakfast' before they will be transferred to a departure centre in the North-East of the country facilitating their 'voluntary' return to their home countries. Circular migration of a sort that politicians have not even started to comprehend.

Innovation
On the other end of the spectrum, I have recently joined EP-Nuffic, an organization that aims at a type of circular migration linked to knowledge and innovation. The resulting knowledge circulation should help accessing knowledge markets worldwide, solving some of the most challenging problems with water, food security and other policy priorities, while keeping our economy in shape. According to the report of the Scientific Council for Government Policy "Towards a Learning Economy", government’s main task is to develop organisations, relationships and career patterns in a way that maximises knowledge circulation.

Traditionally Nuffic has been facilitating quite a number of scholarships for people from all over the world to kick-start or have a through-start with their career facilitated by a Dutch knowledge institution. Alumni of these courses are nowadays occupying important positions in governments and businesses world-wide. The program has been hugely successful and next month I will be joining an alumni event in South-Africa that brings together quite a number of alumni to see how we can better connect and stay in touch. Since 2013 EP-Nuffic even manages a program "Make It In The Netherlands" trying to persuade talented individuals to linger on for a year in the Netherlands after having completed their MSc or PhD degrees in order to tighten their relations with the Dutch.

I cannot help thinking that amongst those who managed to cross the Sahara and the Mediterranean while escaping terrorists and criminal minds of smugglers and finally 'made it to the Netherlands' there must be a few good brains too good to return home very quickly (see also: http://www.migrantscontribute.com/). While starting this blog some three years ago I have stated that there are three groups of people connecting societies most effectively: entrepreneurs, students and migrants. If we could only somehow connect these groups in a meaningful manner, that would be another true cross to find.

Maria

26/4/2015 14:25:02

Congratulations on your new role at Nuffic. I understand its logic which is similar to what other immigration policies in a few enlightened countries. However for it not to contributing to brain drain from the countries that need these talents and brains the most, Nuffic should not stop at recruiting brains. It should also harness the early diaspora community to give back to their countries of origin. That is, put resources aside to send mid-career or retiring former scholars to fill technical positions that governments identify back in their countries of origin. Usually, local universities can probably benefit. Some government technical agencies too. Provide them with the salaries they were/are receiving, have a manageable period of engagement. Some may just need the platform for which to go back without much loss of economic security. From thereon, if they see investment opportunities or feel valued, they could see going back as permanent while their children may already be settled in their adopted country. Hope this closes a loop in the circularity.
Another way is for the policy of sponsored scholarship to promise them a clause that says you go back for at least 6 years and if want to come back after and you find a job, we'll make it easy for you.

Feyisa

27/4/2015 03:15:21

Dear Van Hoffen, Congratulations on your new role at EP- Nuffic

Thank you for sharing Ethiopian people sadness
Just for gentle reminding of ancient Ethiopian religious co existence,

Some lawmakers cited Islamic verses preaching tolerance, keen to highlight a centuries-long tradition of religious co-existence in a country that has now become wary of the rising tide of radical Islam in the Horn of Africa region.
Relations between Ethiopia’s Christians and Muslims have long been relatively peaceful.
Followers of both faiths like to recall a period in the 7th century when, according to tradition, groups of the Prophet Mohammad’s first followers - including his wife - fled persecution and found refuge in the Christian Axumite Empire, in the north of modern-day Ethiopia.
"The slayings committed by the terrorists (in Libya) are a shocking deed that stands contrary to the Holy Koran,"
I called on all Ethiopian citizens to maintain Ethiopia's ancient tradition of unity, love and compassion.
Ethiopia's economy is booming but unemployment remains high. Many opt to venture out and trek across the Sahara in a bid to reach Europe via Libya, where Islamic State militants have gained a toehold after seizing large parts of Syria and Iraq.
Impoverished migrants often pay large amounts of their meager savings to people traffickers. There are many Ethiopians among the traffickers that set desperate migrants on dangerous journeys toward Europe. I suggest that Government has to put legal enforcement to discourage the bloody traffickers who do not have feeling for their brothers and sisters
I would best suggest to work hard at home for dignified life rather than crossing sub Saharan to land to Europe. please avoid the plan to go abroad and plan to work hard at home to bring changes in the country. we need to change the challenge in the country into potential to lead our life at home.

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Ethiopia's 3 days of Mourning and the Finding of the True Cross

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