Minneapolis leadership conference for the Awdal/Selel, Gabiley communities of Somaliland, Djibouti and Ethiopia: April 1st -3rd

Minneapolis leadership conference for the Awdal/Salel, Gabiley communities of Somaliland, Djibouti and Ethiopia: April 1st -3rd 

“Nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded men purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan.” Martin Luther King
 
“Never doubt that a small group once thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has” Margaret Mead

“Clearly the Minneapolis conference marked a new visionary leadership, which could be a leadership coup. Perhaps this may be the beginning of the dawn of a small, new, versatile and revolutionary leadership.

The era for the energetic and effective leadership may be here. This may also mean the end of the old guard of lackluster leadership. This was the best and the most enthusiastic and harmonious gathering I have ever seen for the last 20 years” ( Personal observation)

Introduction

6:30 P.M. On April 1st night while the beautiful  Minneapolis sun was setting, huge crowds of humanity were pouring into the conference Hall on 2400 Park Ave. in Minneapolis. The conference has just started at 6:30 P.M. sharp as scheduled. The next thing was history. For three days unprecedented, well-managed, and well-organized conference has been launched. At several occasions while  in the conference hall I have overhead conference participants involuntarily uttering the following  words and I quote, “ Wow! unbelievable and unprecedented.”  I have seen people treating  each other with utmost grace and brotherhood. What a meeting? What an electrical “atmosphere? I have never seen people operating and speaking in the same wave length and frequency? I have never witnessed a meeting where large number of people, were moving with the same speed, velocity and acceleration. The conference turn out was so great it even exceeded out expectations. This meeting was really different from any other meetings I have participated in the past. In short the Minneapolis meeting of April 1st to April 3rd  was unprecedented both in its shear size, magnitude, high degree of excitement and the enthusiasm emitting from it. That was the greatest meeting I have seen for the last twenty years. It has brought together  people from four major regions of the world, the United Sates, Canada, Europe and the Middle East. They came from the air and land. Great, up and coming young leaders have transformed what would have been a huge complex conference logistics into an easy task, where by everyone of the organizing group was doing his/her job effectively. Their tremendous managerial and leadership prowess had made the massive operation easy, fun and smooth. Clearly the Minneapolis conference marked a new visionary leadership, which could be a leadership coup. Perhaps this may be the beginning of the dawn of a small, new, versatile and revolutionary leadership. The era for the energetic and effective leadership may be here. This may also mean the end of the old guard of lackluster leadership.

The Awdal/Salel/Gabiley communities of the Republics of Somaliland, Djibouti and Ethiopia leadership conference in Minneapolis ended in a huge success. At the conclusion of the conference the signs of happiness and relief were still was shrouded on the faces of the distinguished guests who came from many corners of the world. The three days of the conference was marred by intensive debates, deep discussion of vital issues of the community, provocative questions, lively discourse, moving speeches, and poetry . That was a very interesting and exciting conference. The cold Minnesota weather also contributed to the friendly and harmonious atmosphere, and it was so mild throughout the three conference days. The polite, and civil behavior exhibited by all conference participants was also a great encouraging sign of great things to come. A leadership committee comprising all the Diaspora were formed. This meeting is the beginning of frequent conferences which will be held at certain specified times. Following the conclusion of the conference the participants have sang few “Qaraami songs such as “Jawhari-Iyo-luulay Taan U Jiidh Go ayay Ala-Janoy Aawadaa Ma Jiib Sad ay” and synopsis of our ancient “Zeili folklore” play the “Hilaali Waam Bee.” The sign and symptoms of nostalgia among the participants were all over the place in the rarefied and electrified atmosphere, of a happy night of free singing and the great sound of the the original “Cuud” (Kaman). So many people have took part in the singing. A great conference of happiness, hope,  and change was concluded with  the expectation of great things to come.  Large number of people have participated in the conference. That shows how this community was so thirsty for a fruitful and high caliber conference, and I strongly believe that the just ended Minneapolis conference has met their expectations.  Let us hope for the best. Better days are still to come, and our collective work and participation is vital for our success. We can move mountains when we work together. I will sign out the piece by saying Keep the hope alive. Let us harness the superfluous energy and talent that has been exhibited in the just ended Minneapolis conference.   

Suleiman Egeh is a freelance writer and senior science instructor

Filed Under: Report