HU Hosts Public Lecture on Change and Continuity in Ethiopian Foreign Policy towards the Horn.

College of Social Science and Humanities, Hawassa University, has organized a public lecture entitled "The Politics of State Survival: Change and Continuity in Ethiopian Foreign Policy towards the Horn since the Imperial Era".

Prof. Zeleke Arficho, Dean of the College, in his welcoming speech stated that such public lectures are important platforms of academic exercise for the faculty and graduate students to engage in timely discourses and create public awareness on issues of national and international interests.

Dr. Chirotaw Ayele, Intrim President of HU, officially opened the sessions where he stated that it is indispensible to understand the sources of the complicated problems of our country and to work together with good friendship and understanding and find lasting solutions as scholars. He underscored that we should all stand together on issues of our national interest whatever differences we have as we only have one country, Ethiopia.

Hon. Dr. Demeke Achiso from Addis Ababa University spoke on the historical development of the Ethiopian foreign policy over the years between the imperial era and now, particularly with regard to the horn of Africa. In his presentation, Dr. Demeke explained the significant changes and the continued commitment of Ethiopian governments to ensuring state survival, peace, sovereignty and cooperation in the horn of Africa and beyond even in the face of extremely complex international and domestic challenges related to its geopolitical realms.

His Excellency Ambassador Dina Mufti from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, one of the most seasoned diplomatic figures of Ethiopia, moderated the public lecture where he elaborated on the practices of our modern diplomacy with its weaknesses and strengths. Amb. Dina emphasized the importance of breaking the cycles of blaming our predecessors every time we shift to new government systems and the need to build on positive experiences that sustained our nation through pragmatic approaches.

The lecture was followed by lively debates and discussion and concluded by a keynote from Dr. Samuel Jilo, vice president for Administration and Development at HU.