In a heartfelt video message exceeding three minutes, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali, has reached out to second-generation Ethiopians scattered across the globe.
Through the #BackToYourOrigins campaign, the Prime Minister passionately urged the Ethiopian diaspora to reconnect with their ancestral roots, inviting them to embrace their rich cultural heritage and play a pivotal role in the nation’s development while leaving a lasting legacy.
The call, resonating with Ethiopia’s historical wealth dating back to ancient civilizations like the Axumite Empire, reflects the country’s cultural depth woven from diverse ethnicities, languages, and traditions. However, recent years have been tumultuous, marked by internal conflicts and regional tensions in areas like Tigray and Oromia, posing challenges to the nation’s stability.
“My call to second generation Ethiopians living all over the world. Come #BackToYourOrigins and connect to your multicultural roots, connect to your history and leave your legacy,” he said.
The global Ethiopian community exceeds three million individuals, with substantial populations in various continents. Estimates indicate over one million reside in the Middle East, more than 600 thousand in Africa, half a million in North America, and the rest dispersed across Europe, Australia, and Asia.
In the United States, the Ethiopian-American population, ranging between 250,000 to 500,000, includes both first and second-generation individuals. Similarly, vibrant Ethiopian communities thrive in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and across Europe, contributing to a diverse global diaspora.
These scattered communities maintain unwavering connections to Ethiopian culture, language, and traditions, preserving a profound sense of identity and heritage.
Beyond cultural preservation, the diaspora’s significance lies in its contributions to Ethiopia’s development. Remittances from Ethiopians abroad significantly impact the country’s economy, supporting families and fortifying sectors like education and healthcare.
Moreover, returnees bring back invaluable expertise, driving entrepreneurship, technological innovation, and infrastructure development. Their global exposure positions them as pivotal agents for progress within Ethiopia.
The Prime Minister’s #BackToYourOrigins initiative spans three phases; December 2023 to the end of February 2024, End of February 2024 to End of May 2024, and June 2024 to September 2024.
The three rounds have themes one being; Setting the foundation, encouraging dialogue, and fostering connections among second-generation Ethiopians globally, then Deepening engagement, galvanizing the diaspora, and stimulating discussions about heritage, identity, and contributions towards Ethiopia’s progress and the third is Emphasizing action and implementation, inviting physical and intellectual return and active participation in developmental projects, cultural exchanges, and nation-building efforts within Ethiopia.
The #BackToYourOrigins initiative aims not only to encourage physical return but also to ignite a renewed sense of responsibility and pride among second-generation Ethiopians worldwide. It beckons their active engagement in nation-building, cultural preservation, and the collective journey towards unity and prosperity.
As the global Ethiopian community responds to the Prime Minister’s impassioned plea, the initiative holds the promise of rejuvenating Ethiopia’s social fabric, harnessing the diaspora’s boundless potential, and inscribing a new chapter in the nation’s history—a chapter built on unity, resilience, and collective advancement.