THE “I’M HUMAN MOVEMENT”
A PATHWAY TO A NATIONAL DIALOGUE, GENUINE RECONCILIATION, JUSTICE, PEACE AND FLOURISHING TOGETHER
SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2020
2:00 PM TO 5:00 PM
ELIANA HOTEL
Churchill Avenue, Piazza, Arada, 1000 Addis Ababa
Why is this “I’m Human Movement” so critically important right now?
The “I’m Human Movement” is a movement to affirm the God-given value of every human being, while still acknowledging our human tendency to advance one’s own self-serving goals, sometimes at the expense of others.
How can we, the people of Ethiopia, better listen to our conscious regarding the responsibilities we have towards treating others as we want to be treated ourselves? How then can we structure our society to reflect the equal value of every one of us, while building a system that provides safeguards to assure equal rights and accountability?
In Ethiopia, we hear of people being killed simply for being of a different ethnicity than the perpetrator. We hear of universities closing due to ethnic conflicts and killings on campus. We hear of churches and mosques being burned down and businesses destroyed due to religious or ethnic differences. Right now, ethnicity has become an obsession, but other identity factors, such as religion, region, political view, socio-economic level, age or gender, have also lead to similar abuses.
The artificial elevation of one’s own group, the dehumanization of others and the deadening of conscience have all facilitated the self-centered or ethnic-centered struggle for power, domination, wealth, unearned privilege, opportunity and vengeance.
How can we survive as a society and nation if this current systemic illness is not remedied? Its roots are deep, due to being cultivated in many places; however, how might we as a society of many parts, stop the growth of this toxic and pervasive crop of hatred and violence? What is the role of families, ethnic and religious communities, leaders in various sectors of society, political groups and local and regional governments in holding their members accountable? What is the role of individuals wherever they are?
What would Ethiopia be like if we, as a society, were to embrace the humanity of others, integrating this principle into everyday life as well as into our institutions? How can each of us, one by one, commit to making a difference?
This is the first event for the ‘I’m Human Movement,” which will be followed by continued events and actions at other times and locations throughout Ethiopia. This movement is a continuation of the work and principles of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) that has been ongoing for the last sixteen years. Its principles are at its foundation. They include embracing the humanity of all others—putting humanity before ethnicity or any other differences and caring about the freedom and well-being of others, not only because it is right, but because no one will be sustainably free until all are free. Another principle is: to talk to each other rather than about each other as the way forward to a more inclusive, more just and more free Ethiopia for all.
We have invited representatives of the government, political leaders, religious leaders, elders, women leaders, student leaders and many others to attend. This is about all of us! We hope you will join us!
THE PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE:
- Dramatic and musical premieres: The program will include musical and dramatic performances meant to reawaken Ethiopians to the value of each human being. These were created specifically for their premiere showings at this event.
- Perspectives: Hear the viewpoints from a variety of Ethiopians about what it means to be human.
- A Medical surgeon
- A Lawyer
- A Theologian
- Ethnic representatives from two different groups
- A representative of mixed ethnic background
III. Stories from the heart: Hear from family members who want to see an end to the overvaluing of ethnicity over humanity after sending their children to universities for an education, but instead losing them when they were targeted based on their ethnicity.
- Two different family members from different ethnic groups
- A Rwandan Story and Warning: Hear from a speaker from Rwanda as he brings a warning to Ethiopians. Now is the time to build a different future so no future museum is built in Ethiopia to display the skulls and bones of its people whose ethnicity is no longer identifiable.
- Closing Words from Obang Metho, Executive Director of SMNE
For more information contact:
Mr. Obang Metho, Executive Director of SMNE
Email; obang@solidaritymovement.org
Phone፡ +2519 65 55 16 55
Website; www.solidaritymovement.org
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