10th December 2012
Today we are marking International Human Rights Day and ending our 16 day campaign of activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV). This year’s theme for International Human Rights Day focuses on inclusion and the right to participate in public life. ‘My voice counts’ is the motto for the day. It is a very current concern […]
30th November 2012
Today is the Day of St Andrew, Patron Saint of Scotland since the 10th Century – legend tells that his remains were sent out to sea in the 8th Century and by chance cast up on the coast of Scotland and buried there. So his national flag, the Saltire, will be flying over the British […]
25th November 2012
We are living in modern times, where women are respected, right? Women have reached leadership positions across the world. In Africa, we have women presidents. This year, Dlamini-Zuma was elected as the African Union’s first female Chairperson. But still too many women and girls live in fear, facing unacceptable risks of violence and having no […]
15th November 2012
This past week we have been commemorating 50 years of Cheshire Services Ethiopia. Founded by Group Captain Leonard Cheshire in 1962, with the help of the Ethiopian Royal Family, they have since proved the most enduring and one of the most successful NGOs in Ethiopia. As with the Cheshire Homes in the UK, the main […]
9th November 2012
A question for Ethiopian readers. Have you wondered why red artificial poppy flowers are being worn by British residents in Addis Ababa or by personalities on British TV recently? Or why every English Premier League football club has red poppies on their uniform? All this bears witness to how much we care about the Poppy […]
Read more on The Poppy Appeal: 90 Years and Counting | Reply (2)
7th November 2012
Fairtrade – what a great organisation! Since the launch of their ethical lable in 1988 they have advanced to a position in which they support over 1.2 million farmers in over 66 countries – including over 700,000 producers and agricultural value chains in 29 African countries. The UK is the most supportive nation of Fairtrade […]
5th November 2012
…I read on the statue outside the “Red Terror” Martyrs’ Memorial Monument museum in Meskel Square, Addis Ababa, when I visited recently. The motto reflects Ethiopia’s determination never again to allow the terror that flourished under the Derg military junta in 1977-8 to be repeated. Under Mengistu Haile Mariam, who still lives in exile in […]
25th October 2012
“Knowledge is power” might be a perfect motto for the “Chevening” scholarships that the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office offers every year to outstanding scholars around the world. We use these to help many people with leadership potential build their personal leadership capacity and understand the issues faced by many leaders today. Next year will […]
15th October 2012
In the past few years, the social media have revolutionized communication. They have opened doors for many ordinary citizens, giving them an informal platform from which to voice their concerns, thoughts and views. They have transformed the public from being passive receivers of news to an audience that can determine what is important to them. […]
12th October 2012
When I was asked to inaugurate a toilet block in the town of Sebeta earlier this week, I did a double-take. I am always happy to make a splash in the local media, but feared being panned by the critics or plumbing new depths. Thankfully, it transpired that I was only expected to make a […]