MONROVIA – Three Liberian journalists are expected to leave the country today for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to cover the Sixth African development Forum, which is jointly organized by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the Development Bank (AFDB).

The journalists include Mrs. Melissa Chea-Annan of The Inquirer Newspaper, Othello Garbla of The New Democrat Newspaper and Cheechiay Jablason of The Daily Observer.

The forum, which runs from 19-21 of November 2008, will be held under the theme, “Action On Gender Equality, Empowerment and Ending Violence against Women in Africa.”

The African Development Forum was initiated in 1999 as a multi-stakeholder platform for building consensus on identifying key challenges of African development and the strategies for over coming them.

The three day forum in Addis Ababa with its focus on gender equality, women’s empowerment and ending violence against women, is expected to provide an opportunity to review the progress made at the national, sub-regional and regional levels to date.

It will also provide an opportunity for a continental debate on the implementation of challenges being experienced in promoting gender equality, women empowerment. It will also end with a platform that will provide a clear recommendation on how to achieve its goals.

– The Inquirer

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – The British Embassy in Addis Ababa has launched a new online visa application services. Susannah Richmond, Entry Clearance Manger with British Embassy in Addis Ababa, told WIC that the United Kingdom wants to improve the services it offers for its customers using the available modern technology in the country. Accordingly, the Embassy has brought a new initiative whereby applicants can apply on-line for entry visa.

The Entrance Clearance Manger said that the Embassy has already opened up visa application center along the Bole road where applicants can get the service free of charge. She expressed the system as very time-saving, easiest, flexible and enable to identify mistakes easily weighed against the paper-copy application procedures.

She further explained that the United Kingdom is gradually implementing the on-line application system all over the world where the internet facilities are good at all. She added that Ethiopia is of the first few African Countries which has good internet facilities. Applicants, however, can use the paper copies if they prefer, Richmond said.

Finally I’ve been walking with all coffee trees surrounding me. Coffee left, coffee right, coffee everywhere. I felt so good to see all these beans in different colors. It just rained, but then by miracle the sun came through and made the coffee tree look like a shiny multi colored jewel. I picked the darkest red bean at the tree and tasted the delicious fruit. The beans gulped out the berry directly. It felt weird but magical, these fresh coffee beans in my mouth.
I thought I was dreaming that day at the Aregash lodge in Yirga Lem, Sidamo.

The weather was very bad and we didn’t have a lot of time. Luckily Haile Mariam gave us a quick guidance at the Aregash logde’s coffee plantation.

It was an unforgettable experience and we want to thank him and the owners and staff of the Aregash logde for their warm welcome, friendship and good food. I can recommend this place to all you traveling Ethiopia.

– Antwerp Barista

By Michelle | Academic Travel Abroad

As Senior Program Manager at Academic Travel Abroad (ATA), I have the responsibility of visiting international destinations and inspecting all aspects of the itineraries our groups will follow.  The past twelve years at ATA have given me countless opportunities to travel to and develop programs in far-flung destinations in the South Pacific, Latin America, the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, Scandinavia, and Cuba ,  However, my recent visit to Ethiopia profoundly impacted me in a way that rarely occurs to well-seasoned travelers.

My journey followed the highland route, just like the Pacific Science Center’s itinerary.  This encompasses Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Gondar, the Simien Mountains, Axum, and Lalibela.  Each site I visited in these cities fascinated me and offered insight to distinct aspects of Ethiopia’s history, art, and lifestyles.

One of my favorite stops was Awaramba, a unique secular community where the people work hard to support their residents from cradle to grave.  Men and women are equal, the elderly are cared for, children are not responsible for chores beyond their ability, and daily tasks are designated according to an individual’s skill.

I also enjoyed a visit to Lalibela, where the numerous rock-hewn churches are Ethiopia’s most famous site.  These architectural and engineering feats are most impressive, but what also impacted me was how important these churches and the Orthodox Christian religion are to Ethiopians.

Another great surprise for me was the beautiful landscapes. The drives were never dull because there was always something new to see, whether it was extensive plains full of crops or the changing perspectives while driving through the mountains.  In addition, there were always people to observe as they engaged in their daily activities—children on their way to school, people walking miles to the local market, subsistence farmers clearing crops of sorghum with ancient tools, or young boys shepherding their animals.  I also kept quite busy waving back to all the people who waved to us as we drove by.

At the end of each day, I would think, “Wow, that was an amazing day.”  I always enjoy my travels to other countries, but I can’t think of a time where I would consistently describe each day with such superlatives.

– Academic Travel Abroad

Former Miss Ethiopia Jitu Abraham and parents meet with President-Elect Barack Obama and wife Michelle. Jitu currently resides in the Washington DC area, and works as a model and broadcaster. She has recently completed the U.S. Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC.

Former Miss Ethiopia Jitu Abraham and family with U.S. President-Elect Barack Obama

Former Miss Ethiopia Jitu Abraham with Michelle Obama