Agriculture in Ethiopia - The Ethiopian American

FEATURED STORIESHas New Diaspora PolicyAddressed AllDiaspora Concerns?By Emnet AssefaJust last month, the Ethiopiangovernment officially launchedits Diaspora Policy marking thebeginning of its implementationfew months after it was ratifiedby the legislature. The developmentof the policy, crafted by the Ministry ofForeign Affairs, took close to three years.Over these years, the government heldseries of discussions with all stakeholdersincluding members of the Diaspora residingin different parts of the world.A number of issues ranging from rights andbenefits of the Diaspora to government’srole in assisting and recognizing their participation,are enshrined in the Policy.Targeting more than two million Ethiopiansliving outside their country, the Policy’saim is defined as “informing the variousservices rendered to ensure participationof the Ethiopian Diaspora and their rightsand benefits on one hand, and ensuringthe utilization of Diaspora transfer ofKnowledge, finance, interaction and othercontributions on the other.”The Policy, accordingly, features a numberof issues that are hoped to improve therelationship between the Ethiopian Diasporaand the government as well as thecommunity at large.It encourages the Diaspora to be involvedand share their experiences inimport-export, tour organization, marketintelligence, brokerages and salesmanshipactivities and suggests incentives for youngmembers of the Diaspora who want tocome back and volunteer.Aiming to promote the flow of foreigncurrency to the country, be it in the formof investment or remittances, the Policypromises to facilitate the establishmentrewarding systems. Diaspora participationon good governance and democracy ofthe country is stated in a manner thatbroadens their role in research and policyformulation. Mechanisms that enable theDiaspora to participate in national policyresearch and formulation will be established,according to this document.Tax-incentives on imports of equipmentfor non-profit making activities run bymembers of the Diaspora are also said toimprove the involvement of the Diasporain humanitarian and charity activitiesin their home country. The Policy alsoassures of putting in place mechanisms toenable the Diaspora to get housing in allregions as well as Addis Ababa and DireDawa city administrations through savingand help returnees find jobs in the country.Taking information exchange as the topmost input for the implementation of thePolicy, information data base, website andother information delivery mechanismsare going to be established in the near future.An intended celebration of NationalDiaspora Day at home also aims to pullthe Diaspora to their country.The greater end result of the Policy,which is also hoped to bring about anorganized system to deal with Diaspora issuesthroughout the government structure,is improving relations between governmentand the Diaspora; hence, the Policy pushesfor strengthening of existing and new diasporaassociations, giving especial emphasisto organized youth Diaspora participation.Accordingly, the Ministry of ForeignAffairs has brought together its previouslyseparate activities regarding Diaspora toone organized system.According to Feisel Aliyi, Director ofDiaspora Participation and EngagementDirectorate at the MoFA, the Policy puts inplace a clear direction in how members ofthe Diaspora can take part in the socio-economicdevelopments of the country.But do these provisions in the Policy meanthe document addressed on all concernsrepeatedly raised by the Diaspora?Though the ratification of the Policy is anachievement on its own, some membersof the Diaspora believe it has not gone farenough. They would have liked to see aclear policy on how Diaspora professionalscould participate in Ethiopia’s development.According to Yohannes Assefa (Esq), anEthiopian-American Securities Lawyer, anumber of issues have been raised by membersof the Diaspora on forums organizedabroad. He stated the need to open upsectors, such as banking and telecom, for theDiaspora as well as enabling them to practicelaw in Ethiopia as examples of questionsraised on forums he participated on.12 www.theethiopianamerican.com