The Journey Begins…….!

 Conference slogan:    

   “It is not the strongest of the species that survive,

          nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to CHANGE.”

                                                   Charles Darwin

The world capital of racing hosted a conference for change from May 31^st through June 1^st.  A change that go beyond leadership change; a change that get rid of the old and status quo and embraces the new and the young; a change that affects the way business is done everyday; a change that will put the foundation of democratic pillars; a change that will bring hope to the Eritrean people; a change that will promote workmanship; a change that will unify the country into one cause, a change that will give ownership to everyone who has stake, a change that will restore trust, a change where the old met the new.

The city of Indianapolis welcomed members of ELF-RC, new party candidates and guests in North America.  The conference was unique for two reasons; it was a conference that evaluated the old and welcomed the new.  The spirit was high and the mind was open and ready.

Remember reader ELF-RC is dissolving its own organization and it is building a new party system organization together with many citizens.  Many citizens are party candidates and a good number of them are members of the party joint formation commission.  Dr. Ghebremeskel who was a lecturer at the University of Asmara is Vice Chairman of the commission and he was chairperson of the party conference session.  Think about it, can you tell any one of the opposition organizations is willing to dismantle their organization and form a new one in aliening with other organizations or citizens?  It is unthinkable and impractical.  But ELF-RC is doing it. It is tapping into our people’s treasure.  The dynamism and creativity of individuals has not been exploited so far.  

Sunday’s session was the highlight of the conference.  It was where the old met the new.  It was the beginning of a historical journey.  It was a day where everyone was a party candidate.  In measurement of quality was the best.  One of the presentations in reconciliation should be given high priority by the party commission.  This is the only topic where the party can score a winning strategy if it is utilized appropriately.  Printing the best democratic programs will not elevate the party an inch unless the party gained a trust from all Eritrean segments.  And trust is scored only if one feels they have ownership.  The commission needs to put into consideration that all ethnic and religious communities should have ownership in the party formation and that happens through representation.  Unless this happens it is going to be an elitist gathering. 

Dr. Girmay Negash spoke about using the right languages.  He was speaking from a linguistic and propaganda point of view.  Marketers will tell you to use something that sticks.  It means use phrases or words that the consumers/target audience will memorize easily.  This is a subject that the new party should address in forming its media department.  Understanding marketing is the key for growth.  Youth Yohannes was instrumental in closing the misconception gap of Eritrean youth in Diasporas.  Yohannes said a venue is created and Eritrean youth will participate in shaping the new party.  I thought Bairu presentation on meeting procedures was interesting and if applied properly it could help in efficiency and productivity.

In conclusion the conference was uplifting and successful.  It was very promising for many things that were intangible not too long ago to accomplish.  The congress is coming soon and it will craft its vision, structure, and political program.  It will imprint its road map to democratization.  Although these will need a fight it will not be the hardest portion of the journey.  The hardest will be implementation.  The attendees show spirit and determination to carry the mission.  This is the beginning of the journey.  Any journey that has a good beginning has a good ending too.  Indianapolis witnessed the unwavering will.  Because change is the spirit of the era!

LET THE PEOPLE OF VOICE!

Desbele Kahsai