Oromo Youth Leadership Conference (OYLC) 2008

13 06 2008

For two consecutive summers starting from 2006, Oromo youth from around the world have been gathering with fellow young Oromo women and men to build their leadership skills and share their Oromumma through the Oromo Youth Leadership Conference (OYLC), which was initiated by two visionary young Oromo men in 2006 to create a network among Oromo youth from all across the globe. About 60 Oromo youth attended the 2007 leadership conference held in Minneapolis, MN, taking part in rigorous, challenging, educational, as well as entertaining seminar. The participants discussed various issues related to the Oromo people, guided by prominent Oromo scholars and elders that were invited to educate the youth about their particular area of expertise. The issues discussed included the history and language of the Oromo nation, religion, region and gender issues in the community, the state of Oromo youth in exile, and the then current state of Oromia. The conference was concluded by drafting and finalizing a constitution that guides the umbrella organization (International Oromo Youth Association – IOYA).

The preparation for the third Oromo Youth Leadership Conference is underway. It will be held in the state of Minnesota from July 21 – July 25 under the theme “Building the future one youth at a time”. This year’s conference will again be very crucial because it comes in a time where the persecution of the Oromo people is being taken to a new level, as the oppressing regime changes its strategy to undermine the voice of the Oromo people by instigating conflict with neighboring tribes while trying to stay below the radar of the international community. This will be where ideas on how to move forward and the actions that need to be taken will greatly be discussed.

About 75 Oromo youth from all parts of the world are expected to take part in this three day leadership conference this year. A number of Oromo and non-Oromo speakers, both from Oromia and from around the world will be invited to speak on various topics chosen for this year’s conference.

The topics of this year’s conference include:

Leadership Training

Building individual leadership skills

Applying leadership skills

Health Crisis Facing Oromo Youth in Diaspora

The Place of Oromo Women in The Struggle

“The Forgotten Queens”

Region and Religion

Religion and Nationalism: In Harmony or Discord?

The roots of Oromo People

The Oromo people: 19th century – present

Promoting Art in the Oromo community

Art workshops

Current issues in Oromia

IOYA/OYLC Logistics

This year’s conference is being organized in a unique way by utilizing the inputs and lessons acquired from the previous two conferences. It is also uniquely structured so that all participants will get a chance to practice and develop individual and community leadership skills to achieve personal growth and create a true friendship with their peers. The setting and coordination of the conference is designed to create a safe and secure venue for the participants to openly discuss, debate, question, critic and communicate. The organizers of this conference are committed to make sure that all of our participants make the best out of their time with us.The OYLC Coordinators and the IOYA executive board are working tirelessly to ensure the success of this year’s conference. We ask all Oromos and friends of Oromo people to support our efforts morally, logistically and financially. We also call on all parents, guardians and family members to encourage their children to attend this conference.

For questions, suggestions or comments please contact OYLC coordinators at

oylc2008@gmail.com
For registration and more information about the conference please visit our website http://www.ioyn.org/oylc/register.html

Thank youOYLC Executive Coordinator

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