Ethiopian Global Initiative Hosts Ceremony at U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa high school student, Bitanya Yosef, explains
how she thinks the paintings relate to the presentation
on the topic of Juvenile Delinquency. (EGI Photo)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, August 9, 2011 – U.S. College Students for Ethiopia (USCSE), a project of the Ethiopian Global Initiative (EGI), hosted a closing ceremony for its Youth Community Dialogue participants at the Embassy of the United States of America on Saturday, August 6.

The Youth Community Dialogue is a USCSE summer program that helps Addis Ababa high school students communicate effectively and creatively to their peers and community members about issues important to them in their local neighborhoods. Through this Dialogue, USCSE promotes a culture of volunteerism and community engagement among local youth, while developing their analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

For five weeks, 20 participants engaged in stimulating discussions and prepared presentations on issues ranging from “Youth Self-Expression” to “Juvenile Delinquency,” under the guidance of U.S. and Addis Ababa University students. Participants had the opportunity to speak and interact with Diaspora professionals that returned to Ethiopia to contribute to the country’s development. 

View full press release and pictures here.

Ethiopian Global Initiative Announces U.S. College Students for Ethiopia Class of 2011

Cambridge, Mass., USA, May 31, 2011 – The Ethiopian Global Initiative (EGI), today, unveiled its first group of college students that are traveling to Ethiopia from the United States under its newly launched project, U.S. College Students for Ethiopia (USCSE). 

USCSE aims to combat the shortage of skilled professionals in Ethiopia by encouraging both Ethiopian and non-Ethiopian students from the United States to volunteer and intern in Ethiopia, as a way to reverse “brain drain” and promote consciousness of service in Ethiopia. The final students, selected on their merits and desire to work in Ethiopia, were chosen from a highly competitive U.S.-wide application pool of students.

On the occasion of announcing the first USCSE cohort, the Class of 2011, Project Manager Yordanos Eyoel expressed her excitement at the possibilities ahead for EGI and the students. “I am exceptionally proud of USCSE’s inaugural class! These are talented students from some of the best universities in the country and it is inspiring to see their commitment to give back to Ethiopia. They certainly will add tremendous value to their host organizations.”

USCSE brings students from the United States to Ethiopia, working with locally based Ethiopian public and private sector organizations. While in Ethiopia, the students will undertake a collaborative project with counterpart students from the Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia’s flagship public university. USCSE aims to build longstanding relationships between students from the United States and Ethiopia through its efforts to tackle the “brain drain” problem. 

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