Prof. Tassew Woldehanna, President of Addis Ababa University (AAU), received a delegation of Ethiopians and Ethiopian descents Diasporas living in the United States at his office on the 30^th of July 2021.

The Peace Corps is comprised of nine members, including scholars and celebrities, representing more than 30 civic organizations in various parts of the United States organized to support those in need in Ethiopia and to engage in dialogues focused on peace and security issues of the country  with concerned bodies.

The group asked the president what AAU, as the country’s source of knowledge and a major institution, is doing in the field of peace, especially in the last few years, the secret how, the University succeeded its mandates peacefully when many universities have been disrupted.

Explaining the team, Prof. Tassew said that Addis Ababa University has grown its international recognition and prestige by surpassing many other universities especially in Africa that are by far earlier than AAU in terms of age and experience.

According to the professor, AAU has been supporting Ethiopia by producing leaders of many local and international organizations; introduced its tourist resources through research; designed, educated and enhanced its policies as a country; has provided direct and indirect support, including consultancy on major projects such as the Renaissance Dam.

As the President stated, AAU had been at the forefront of instigating and leading national uprisings, especially in the 1970s; however, nowadays, a lot of work has been done to change this attitude and make the University a source of peace and pre-conflict defiant and an institution that enhances peace.

Despite many universities in the country have been severely damaged in the past few years due to the lack of peace, AAU has been peaceful by working hard to persuade students to stand guard for their safety, giving them various responsibilities on peace issues and monitoring the day-to-day operations, Prof. Tassew said.

Based on the Professor’s request what the Peace Corps is currently doing with regard to the conflicts happening in Ethiopia, the team stated that they are entirely dealing with the concerned bodies, including the Ministries of Peace and Defense, to resolve conflicts peacefully, especially those in the Northern part of the country.

The team also stated that in addition to reaching supports to the needy and dealing with concerned parties in the country, it is highly combating foreign powers which are instigating conflicts, by using Twitter campaigns and various mechanisms cooperating with many Ethiopians living overseas.

Finally, Prof. Tassew said that the purpose of the team is very inspiring to work together as it is in line with the current policy of Addis Ababa University, which is free from positioning to one political partisanship as well as unnecessary interference, and focuses on national unity.

By: Abraham Girmay

Photo: Fikremariam Beyene