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Meadna News 26 February 2006

Head of Research and Documentation Centre at the PFDJ, Mr. Zemhret Yohannes, held a meeting with Eritrean youth in the UK for over four hours on 25 February 2006. Mr. Zemhret started by stating the meeting would be two-way discussion and encouraged the attendants to bring up any issues with openness and frankness. In the first part of the meeting Mr. Zemhret gave a speech on Eritrea’s and international issues of economics, politics, culture, history and the role of young people in a society.

Mr. Zemhret talked about the importance of concept and a well organised society in relation to Eritrea, Western and some Asian countries’ experience. Referring to the Eritrean struggle for independence, which was declared as a “case closed” in the late 70s and an “endless case” in the early 80s, because of Ethiopian regime’s enormous military advantage, he said that the analysis at the time failed to take account of the important factors such as the power of a shared idea, highly developed organisation and the human element of Eritrean people’s strong spirit and conviction. Mr Zemhret also talked about the post independence achievements and challenges such as starting from scratch with the added pressures of the very high gap between people’s expectations and the reality and the interest of other powerful forces and the defence of the country. He said reinforcing and developing concept and better organisation remain to be very important factors to bring about a fundamental transformation of the country. He underlined how the present young generation can take, what has been achieved over long period of time, forward.

			Mr. Zemhret Yohannes Holds Meeting with Eritrean Youth in the UK
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			Meadna News 26 February 2006 Head of Research and Documentation Centre at the PFDJ, Mr. Zemhret Yohannes, held a meeting with Eritrean youth in the UK for over four hours on 25 February 2006. Mr. Zemhret started by stating the meeting would be two-way discussion and encouraged the attendants to bring up any issues with openness and frankness. In the first part of the meeting Mr. Zemhret gave a speech on Eritrea’s and international issues of economics, politics, culture, history and the role of young people in a society. Mr. Zemhret talked about the importance of concept and a well organised society in relation to Eritrea, Western and some Asian countries’ experience. Referring to the Eritrean struggle for independence, which was declared as a “case closed” in the late 70s and an “endless case” in the early 80s, because of Ethiopian regime’s enormous military advantage, he said that the analysis at the time failed to take account of the important factors such as the power of a shared idea, highly developed organisation and the human element of Eritrean people’s strong spirit and conviction. Mr Zemhret also talked about the post independence achievements and challenges such as starting from scratch with the added pressures of the very high gap between people’s expectations and the reality and the interest of other powerful forces and the defence of the country. He said reinforcing and developing concept and better organisation remain to be very important factors to bring about a fundamental transformation of the country. He underlined how the present young generation can take, what has been achieved over long period of time, forward.

			The second part of the meeting was open for discussion and an exchange of questions and answers. Straightforward questions were asked on topics such as on how young Eritreans in Diaspora can organise themselves better to help their country and solve their own social and economic problems, the potential of the tourism industry, political and other issues of young people. Mr. Zemheret responded with keen enthusiasm and in an honest manner to every question. Because of the lively discussion between the participants and Mr. Zemhret, it was not possible to finish the meeting according to the schedule. Finally, Mr Zemhret ended the meeting by suggesting the youth activities that are carried out in the UK respond to the needs of young people. He mentioned having discussion forum as an example, where young people can exchange information with each other and discuss issues such as culture, education, health and sport. He also suggested they carry out tangible projects that connect them with their country such as sending books to the new libraries that are being opened around the country. After screening of a trip to the first Eri-Youth Festival 2004 by group of young Eritrean American, which was produced by Michael Seium, it was time to party to the tunes of Eritrean and English music with the London based Eritrean artists Danat Selomon, Ealsa Tekeste and Berhe Jida.