Society Bridging Continents
By Sisay Sahlu
July 13, 2024
Inspired by Indonesia – Youth aspire for unity,growth
“Unity in diversity” is a phrase that evokes both triumphs and tribulations. While the mosaic of cultures, ethnicities, and religions can enrich societies, fostering mutual respect and shared identities, countries like Ethiopia still grapple with realizing its full potential.
Despite its ancient history, Ethiopia, with its over 90 ethnic groups, starkly illustrates the struggle to balance diversity and national unity. This challenge persists even as the country champions the motto of “unity in diversity.” Globally, successful examples like Indonesia highlight the importance of inclusive governance, equitable resource distribution, and a culture of mutual respect. Indonesia’s strides in these areas contrast sharply with Ethiopia’s ongoing complexities.
In a bid to amplify Ethiopian youth voices, Indonesian Ambassador to Ethiopia, the African Union, and Djibouti, Al Busyra Basnur, has released his tenth book. Titled “Indonesia in the Hearts and Minds of Ethiopian Youths,” this publication, co-authored by 15 young Ethiopians, offers valuable insights into how Indonesia—a Southeast Asian state with over 300 ethnic groups spread across 17,000 islands—has achieved peaceful coexistence, delving into their perceptions of Indonesia.
Getayawkal Mehari, a law student at Arbaminch University, contributed to the book. He emphasized the importance of showcasing cultural and man-made treasures, drawing a parallel to Indonesia, a nation that effectively promotes its heritage globally.
Getayawkal questioned why Ethiopia, with fewer ethnic groups than Indonesia, remains fraught with conflict. “Why do we struggle with internal strife while Indonesians live in harmony?” he asked.
Ethiopia’s quest for unity amidst its rich diversity mirrors a broader global challenge, reflecting both the potential and difficulties of this endeavor. Lidya Henok, another law student and human rights advocate, underscored the need for youth platforms to express opinions.
She believes that avoiding conflict requires good aspirations and collaborative efforts, pointing to Indonesia’s peaceful coexistence as a model. “Youth should lead social debates about ethnicity and identity in a world increasingly shaped by technology and innovation,” she asserted.
Evelin Tamirat, also from Arbaminch University, highlighted the shared motto of “unity in diversity” between Ethiopia and Indonesia. She admired Indonesia’s ability to maintain national cohesion. Evelin suggested Ethiopia could learn from Indonesia’s example to overcome its own ethnic and political challenges. “Indonesia’s linguistic diversity is a model for us to embrace,” she noted.
Responding to numerous challenges, Ethiopian officials have established a National Dialogue Commission. This initiative aims to foster peaceful coexistence in a nation beset by ethnic tensions.
Ribka Fikru, a Grade 11 student, recognized the benefits of Indonesia’s cultural and ethnic diversity in strengthening friendships and knowledge exchange. Ribka advocated for cultural exchange programs, collaborative projects, and shared learning to bolster the relationship between Ethiopia and Indonesia, envisioning a brighter, interconnected future.
The vision shared by Ribka echoes the broader aspirations of many young Ethiopians who contributed to the book. They see Indonesia’s dedication to cultural preservation as a model for their own country, where economic development can coexist with the celebration of cultural heritage. They hope to see Ethiopia become a nation where diversity is not only acknowledged but embraced, and where education and cultural preservation are prioritized to achieve sustainable growth and unity.
MeazaHaddis, who pursued her Master’s degree in Indonesia, reflected on how Indonesia’s socio-cultural fabric provided a lens to view Ethiopia’s potential. “I marveled at how Indonesia, with its vast ethnic and linguistic diversity, fostered unity and national pride,” she said. Meaza emphasized that if Indonesia, with its over 17,000 islands and more than 300 ethnic groups, could harmonize, Ethiopia, with its 90-plus ethnic groups and fewer geographical barriers, could achieve even more.
“During my stay, I was impressed by how Indonesia invests in inclusivity and equality, with no visible ethnic differences,” Meaza added. She said that Ethiopia’s future lies in embracing its cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity while ensuring quality education for all, leaving no one behind.
In a powerful testament to the value of cultural preservation alongside economic development, young Ethiopian writers have drawn inspiration from Indonesia’s dedication to cultural preservation. Their aspirations for Ethiopia are clear: a country where diversity is celebrated, education is prioritized, and cultural heritage is preserved.
“I want to see a country where diversity is celebrated, education is prioritized, and cultural heritage is preserved,” one young contributing author remarked. “With the right principles and collective effort, Ethiopia can achieve sustainable growth and unity.” By examining Indonesia’s success in peaceful coexistence amidst diversity, Ethiopian youths see a hopeful path for their nation, learning valuable lessons in unity and harmony.
At the book launch in Arbaminch City, the young contributors expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Indonesian Ambassador for engaging them in this cross-cultural dialogue.They noted that this opportunity allowed them to understand Ethiopia’s situation from an international perspective.
“We’ve never experienced this level of engagement from our own diplomats, let alone a foreign one,” they said. “This project has helped us understand Ethiopia’s challenges from a global perspective.”
The Ambassador sees youth engagement as a transformative force, essential for shaping identity, fostering international understanding, and celebrating the beauty of cultural diversity.
Basnur praised the book, underscoring the importance of learning from other countries’ best practices. He noted that young people serve as crucial bridges, capable of transferring these best practices to their own nations.
Reflecting on the historical ties between Ethiopia and Indonesia, dating back to the colonial era and the Bandung Conference, he urged the youth to leverage social media to learn and share global best practices to benefit their communities.
“Modern diplomacy isn’t just about ambassadors,” he said. “You, the youth, are ambassadors, playing a vital role in shaping your country and the world.”