From: YPFDJ Media (media@youngpfdj.com)
Date: Wed Jan 27 2010 - 04:38:07 EST
For pictures please visit http://tinyurl.com/y8gttrj
YPFDJ-UK held UK-wide youth gathering; bringing young Eritreans from
different parts of UK. The theme of the event was "taking ownership and
control of our destiny". The main programs of the day-long event were
seminars and information on important topics of the youth movement and
Eritrea. Discussions on Eritrean youth movement, YPFDJ, at a global and in
particular at UK level - YPFDJ-UK's extended outreach to every city, town
and village of UK as well as to all age groups of young people living in the
UK and on issues of identity and culture.
The opening speech of YPFDJ, delivered by Daniel Berhane on behalf of YPFDJ,
welcomed every one and expressed a great gratitude to the young people - who
came from different cities of UK including Sheffield, Leeds, Gloucestershire
- traveling for many hours.
Simply defining YPFDJ as being all about "Eritrean identity and values" and
further describing the Eritrean identity as "the Eritrean identity that we
paid so much sacrifice for generations and still continue to maintain and
strengthen through the long held Eritrean values."
The speech went on to further highlight the objective of YPFDJ as "to create
a strong relation amongst young Eritreans - help and look out for each
other- maintain strong Eritrean identity through learning about our glorious
history, nurturing our deeply rooted culture and values in our consciousness
and deeds that would allow us to challenge the problems we face living in
foreign countries and the fundamental objective the solution to most of our
problems that is building Eritrea, the land of our ancestors."
Highlighting the attempt of a propaganda campaign that are targeted at the
youth with the aim "to confuse and to neutralize the youth that is for the
youth to stop caring and taking stand about their identity, values and
culture by employing different methods" was stated as a challenge that is
being overcome through the rapid progress of YPFDJ all over the world.
The main elements of the programs of the event were short seminars, the
first one that was delivered by Beserat Zerezghi and Yodit Tekeste, was
"Leadership qualities for the 21st century: Implications for the Eritrean
Youth in the Diaspora" that was based on Bitsay Dr. Tesfay Aradom's lecture
that was given at the Training of Trainers (TOT) in Geneva, Switzerland in
October 2009. The topic focused on major topics, the wider meaning of
leadership, different styles of leadership and the determinate factors and
issues emotional intelligence in relation to the youth movement.
The second seminar that was given by Sirak Bahlbi (based on lecture given
Bitsay Daniel Ghezae) titled "What YPFDJ can learn from EPLF/PFDJ
Leadership". Bitsay Sirak described in detail the main qualities of
EPLF/PFDJ leadership that served the Eritrean people.
EPLF/PFDJ has been outstanding in understanding the nature, culture, social
makeup and requirement of the Eritrean people and it enabled the
organization to clearly set-out its goals and draw a clear policy which is
practical and can be implemented by relying on its own resources and people.
YPFDJ groups can benefit tremendously to learn and adopt the values of the
Popular Front and apply them to the 21st century challenges by clearly
defining its goals that can be achieved practically.
The third seminar was on the unjust UN Security Council Resolution 1907/2009
that was imposed on Eritrea on Wednesday the 23rd December 2009, which was
given by Musie Tesfai. Bitsay Musie highlighted the issue in historical
perspective and looked at all the unsubstantiated accusations and the
devious ways the sponsors of the resolution employed to get it approved.
The occasion was also used to provide information on one of the activities
of YPFDJ, the 6th YPFDJ Conference that is to be held in Germany in April.
Yonathan Haile gave a presentation explaining the background information of
the conference and the organizational aspects of the upcoming conference.
Information in regards to the conference can be found on youngpfdj.com or by
emailing to uk@youngpfdj.com.
Following the seminars and presentations, it was time for one of the main
parts of the program, group discussion. Divided into groups, the discussion
looked at issues of identity, culture, the role of YPFDJ at individual,
society in the UK and Eritrea, and the greater outreach of YPFDJ
geographically as well as to all age group of young Eritrean living in the
UK. The group discussion - that was action orientated with follow up and
action plan - was very heated and went on for a few hours adopting several
measures.
The event was also attended, by the Eritrean ambassador to the United
Kingdom and Ireland Mr. Tefamicael Gerahtu, Ms. Haregu Tesfamariam Head of
Public affairs at the Embassy of Eritrea in UK, leaders of NuAus Chenfer and
members of PFDJ. Bitsay Ambassador Tefamicael Gerahtu gave a speech
highlighting the roles and responsibilities of the youth movement. Members
of PFDJ, giving very uplifting messages, also expressed their happiness to
see the rapid progress of youth movement, YPFDJ, and their readiness to
support the movement in any way. The day-long event was concluded with
dinner and entertaining programs.
Awet nHafash
YPFDJ UK
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