| Time has come for the NEW GENERATION! As time passes, Ethiopians in and out of the country have not improved in many areas of our lives as we should have. We are still struggling to find solutions to our problems, without well organized communication skills; poor methods of reaching out to our community; having an attitude and using a language that would not encourage others to get engaged; not identifying and prioritizing the crucial issues; no assessment of the needs and pulling together of our resources or use of knowledge as well as expertise to address them are among the issues the new generation of Ethiopians inherit from the legacy of the generation that does not want to leave the scene yet. The fact that the baby boom generation that is still calling the shots in all aspects of life is what many nations face and the dilemma of transition from one generation to another is what we as people need to come to deal with. In reality, the legacy, especially among Ethiopians, calls for urgent measures to be taken in order to ensure the passing of the torch to the next generation filtering the baggage the previous ones got themselves entangled into. Hence, it is with all the respect that is due and with all the misfortunes and misdeeds that have needed someone to accept responsibility that I call upon the baby boom generation of Ethiopians to put aside their prerogatives and selfish ambitions and help make a difference by allowing a smooth transition of assuming responsibilities with full authority to the “New Generation of Ethiopians†, who would be capable of making a difference if given the opportunities to do so. I fully understand the fear and the doubt the previous generation has and do not take lightly the sense of failure they feel, but I need to remind them that in prolonging the efforts to prepare and curtailing the chances of the next generation to take over they would be creating more damage to their legacy and widen the gaps created by those who waged war on our unity. Having said that, it is with great pleasure and sense of pride that I would like to announce the accomplishment of a young talented woman, named Ayda Assefa, who became probably the youngest President of an Ethiopian Community Association in a major North American City, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The election of Ayda to the presidency is seen by many in her generation as breaking the ceiling Hilary Clinton began to shatter and continuing the message of “Change†by President Barak Obama. The fact that this Gen-Y came to the helm of an organization older than her shows that the next generation is ready to accept responsibility if given the opportunity. In light of the fact that many private and public institutions are struggling to recruit and retain young talent, the Ethiopian Association in Toronto is leading others in this aspect and my hope is that this is the beginning of the new era, where organizations in and out of Ethiopia would pass on the torch to the new generation of Young, Charismatic and Talented individuals, with not only wishes but desires and convictions to make a difference in the lives of their fellow countrymen and women. I hope the older generation would heed to the call and would get it right and save themselves from causing bigger damages and add to their regrets. However, it would not be right if I also do not express my gratitude to their efforts and pay tribute to their accomplishments on behalf of the new generation. Thank you for your legacy and your anticipated cooperation in facilitating a smooth transition to Ayda and the likes. For those of us who would want to express our solidarity and well wishes to the task of building the new generation, one of the best times is the celebration of the Ethiopian New Year in Toronto on September 12, 2009. Let us all come and congratulate Ayda and her colleagues on their accomplishments and renew our pledge and allegiance to the causes of helping improve the lives of Ethiopians in our community and everywhere. May the Our Lord also grant our prayers for the beloved Birtukan, who led the way to the likes of Ayda, and make our dream of seeing her lead Ethiopia, a nation under God, identified in providing Freedom, Justice, and Prosperity to its people. It is possible Folks (Yichalal Wegenoch!). |
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