DÄV online forum

After the seminar of the German-Ethiopian Association (DÄV) had to be canceled last year due to the pandemic, it could finally be made up for as an online forum from March 19-20, 2021. At the same time, the 25th anniversary of the DÄV was (re-) celebrated; online of course. This time the DÄV received support from the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy.

Particularly at the beginning of the seminar, the classification of the current trouble spots in Ethiopia was the focus of the discussions, some of which were top-class. In addition to the consequences of the pandemic and the political explosive nature of the subject of the Nile dam, the main focus was on the armed conflict in the Tigray region.
Here, in occasional emotional conversations, the uncertainty regarding the current circumstances became particularly clear. The reasons for this are the lack of internet connections and extremely unstable cell phone lines in the north of the country.
True to the motto: "The first victim of every war is the truth" (Hiram Johnson), various narratives about the crisis area cause considerable difficulties with regard to a concrete classification of the events.
What is reality, what is propaganda?
In any case, the devastation and destruction in the region are certain. Trade has come to a standstill, the nutritional situation is devastating, medical care is largely non-existent (diarrhea, diabetes, etc. cannot be treated).

In addition, the online forum was composed on the one hand of economically oriented discussion groups, e.g. on value creation in the Ethiopian agricultural sector or on the status quo in the Ethiopian textile industry. On the other hand, the discussion rounds were shaped more by cultural, religious and historical topics. (According to the DÄV, efforts are being made to upload the aforementioned and recorded sessions for all interested parties to the corresponding homepage of the association as soon as possible; the panel discussion is already available online at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoUORx5Xl2M

As you know, we (from KaJo e.V.) are in the process of finding new projects. Some time ago we discussed training opportunities after school. The discussion round was particularly valuable for KaJo e.V.: Entrepreneurship: New ways of development cooperation.
Above all, it was about the dovetailing of development cooperation and business / entrepreneurship.
The company sequa was presented. This supports around 140 small to medium-sized companies, for example in the textile and agricultural sectors. In addition to financial support, which is also linked to certain requirements on the part of the company, the companies receive support through technical know-how in the form of implementation plans, marketing advice, financial analyzes, financing models, etc. The focus is always on personal contact with the local community Entrepreneurs to build mutual trust.
These companies could now be potential training centers for young people we support; In any case, this discussion round gives cause and potential to research further projects in the sense of our association's purpose.

Overall, we found the first DÄV-Online-Forum to be a really successful event, although we are all looking forward to an on-site meeting next year in order to gain a really sustainable exchange.