A Successful Workshop Hosted in Pretoria
On 22 October 2004, the Movement of Eritrean Students and Exiles in South Africa hosted a successful workshop on “Constitutionalism, Regional Peace and Security in the Horn of Africa.” The event which was conducted under the theme “Horn of Africa: From Divergence to Congruence,” was attended by several people which include members of the Movement in the Pretoria area and other invited guests. It was hosted at the University of Pretoria, Student Representative Council (SRC) Seminar Room, from 09h00-18h00.
The workshop aimed to encourage learning and sharing of experience on issues relating to constitutionalism, regional peace and security in the Horn of Africa, a region known for its recurring cycle of political crisis, instability and famine. Academics and professionals in law, political science and other related disciplines have participated on the event by presenting thematic papers on identified issues. The workshop is believed to have created a structured opportunity to participants to present and discuss their perspectives on different topics. The workshop was sponsored by Justice Africa, a London-based NGO that supports civil society initiatives on human rights, democracy and peace in Africa; the organizer of the event was the Movement of Eritrean Students and Exiles in South Africa.
Some of the papers presented on the workshop include, mainly but not only the following:
“Constitutionalism in the Context of the African Union” by Professor Michelo Hansungule, a Raoul Wallenberg Visiting Professor of Human Rights at the University of Pretoria , Center for Human Rights;
“Refugee Rights in South Africa” by Advocate Jacob van Garderen, Lawyers for Human Rights, Refugee Rights Project Coordinator;
The Importance of the Media on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights” by Mr. Gabriel Shumba, LLD Candidate, University of Pretoria, Center for Human Rights (also Chairperson of the Pretoria Branch of the Zimbabwean opposition party, MDC – Movement for Democratic Change);
“Citizens, Politics and the State: Reflections on the Process of State and Nation-building in Eritrea” Mr. Andom Mesfin, member of the Movement;
Other participants and people who have chaired panels of the workshop included Mr. Abner Mosaase, South African Student’s Congress (SASCO) National Executive Committee, Head of International Affairs and Mr. Thabo Chelechele of Amnesty International, University of Pretoria Chapter.
As a first experience in the Movement’s short history, many participants valued the event a successful thematic occasion which effectively achieved its objectives. The workshop was conducted in furtherance of the Movement’s commitment to build “a prosperous State of Eritrea with sustainable democracy that values and protects the rights of its citizens,” and in line with its principal duties which include, among other things, “initiating debates and discussions” on issues of vital importance to the noble causes of the Movement.
The Movement reassures its commitment to host similar types of thematic events to foster discussions and sharing of ideas and experiences which are of supreme relevance in the process of democratization all peace loving Eritreans are striving hard to achieve. The full report of the workshop, which is underway by the Interim Committee of the Movement, will soon be released to the public in an appropriate way.
Movement of Eritrean Students and Exiles in South Africa
25 October 2004
