Tsehai Conferenes set for July 5-6 in Los Angeles

Press Release
June 20, 2006

Organized under the theme “The State of Ethiopian Affairs and the Diaspora,” the conference will serve as a forum to discuss new developments in Ethiopia’s social and political landscape and provide participants with the opportunity to network with leaders in diverse sectors of our community from around the world. The Conference will also help participants to gain insight into the future directions of the situation of media, cinema, politics, and academia in Ethiopia. The 2005 Elections will also be at the center of the Conference and will be highlighted by eye witness reports by people at the scene.

The Conference will be held on the occasion of the 23rd Annual Ethiopian Soccer Federation in North America scheduled to take place at the Los Angeles Coliseum on the first week of July, 2006. This will be the first conference to be held in this magnitude and scope during this yearly cultural festivity and will bring together academics, political and civic leaders, journalists, artists, and community leaders in a single forum.

The conference is divided into eight panels covering diverse topics on and about Ethiopians at home and abroad. The panelists will address current issues that have been at the center of discussions, past legacies, current challenges and future prospects. While helping us to understand the real problems in our society, our panelists will also recommend real-world strategies for solving problems and moving ahead.

The conference panels also balance the customary party politics with the realities of today’s media, art, scholarship, cinema that have made great contributions in our community.

Featured panels include:

• The State of Ethiopian Politics: Assessment of the past and prospects for the future
• Ethiopia’s past legacy, present challenges and future prospects
• The State of Ethiopian Cinema at home and in the diaspora
• The State of Ethiopian Media at home and in the diaspora
• The State of Ethiopian Art in the diaspora and its impact in the future
• The State of the May 2005 Election, its Aftermath and What ought to be done
• The State of Ethiopia’s Party Politics and Ethnic Relation
• The State of Civic Societies and Human Rights Issues in Ethiopia

Tsehai Conference panels will provide attendees perspectives from distinguished friends and Ethiopian scholars, researchers, politicians, artists, educators, historians, social scientists, journalists, and authors who will be addressing diverse issues of importance in a format that can engage its audience into fruitful discussions.

Our distinguished panelists will include Richard Pankhurst, Ahmed Moan, Messay Kebede, Shumet Sishagne, William Scott, Paulos Milkias, Sissay Assefa, Kifle Mulat, Alemtsehai Wodajo, Tamagne Beyene, Teshome Mitiku, Neway Debebe, Fekade Azeze, Esseye GebreMedhin, Elias Kifle, Kinfu Assefa, Abraha Belai, Obang Metho, Berhane Mewa, Dessye Ayal-sew, Andargachew Tsgie, Daniel Assefa, Kiflu Tadesse, Yemaneh Ejigu, Nnegest Likke, Wondwossen Dikran, Senait Ashenafi, Adugnaw Worku, Alemayehu G. Medhin, Worku Negash, Fikre Tollosa and more.

These speakers will discuss present and future directions in our society. Wrap-up sessions at the end of each day will put the information into perspective and act as a springboard for further discussion and action. A reception on Wednesday evening will be a lively social and networking event where awards will be given.

For further information, or to register for the Tsehai Conferences, visit the website at http://www. tsehaiconferences.com, or contact Elias Wondimu at (323) 732-6685 or info@tsehaiconferences.com.

About Tsehai Conferences