The Oromo Studies Association, in collaboration with the Union of
Oromo Students in North America, held their 1995 Conference, July
22-24, 1995 in Washington, D.C. Some of the key topics and
speakers were as follows:
Oromo songs and welcome by Dr Mohammad Hassen, OSA President. Key note
speakers were Colonel Alemu Kitessa Yadete on Oromo Unity, Dr Trever Trueman
on human rights and the silence of the International community; Professor
Edmond Keller on the quest for democracy in Ethiopia.
Other interesting speakers and topics included Rev Ronald Ward on human
rights violation in Oromia; Obbo Beyan H Asoba on self determination as
human right: the case of oromia; Dr Trevor Trueman, human rights violation
in Oromia and what can be done about it. Discussants and panelists
included Obbo Exekiel Gebissa, Obbo Gulumma Gamda, Obbo Jimman Tufa on
Oromia that might have been: Abyssinian Colonial Hegmony in Oromia. Dr
Ibssa Gutama on Abyssinian Colonialism change and continuity. Nation
building and strategic challenges of democracy by Dr Asfaw Beyene.
Dr Daniel Ayan on Centuries of consensus building among the Oromo of Horn of
Africa. Professor Edmond Keller on US Foreign Policy toward Ethiopia and the
May 1995 Ethiopian Election. Conceptualizing Bilisumman by Dr Asfaw
Beyene and discussants Dr Daniel Ayana and Dr Mekuria Bulcha.
Other interesting topics included: Federalism: prospects,
possiblities, potentialis and drawbacks. Panelists included Dr
Admasu Shunkuri, Professor Marian Ottoway, Professor William Everett
and Dr Baisssa Lemmu. Environment, sustainable development and
social change in Independent Oromia chaired by Dr Assefa Kurru;
Professor Bichaka Fayissa discussed Economic development and
democracy in independent Oromia. Dr Gobana Huluka on envoronmental
resources and human welfare.
At the end of the conference there was a march and demonstration.