Reflecting on the successes of OSA Mid-Year Conference, Preparing for the Annual Conference

Dear OSA members and supporters, Dear Colleagues and Friends,               April 6, 2014

I just wanted to say thank you to all who came to attend the OSA Mid-Year Conference or presented an article. We had several outstanding scholars who presented novel and interesting studies and an amazing enthusiasm created by it. This year’s OSA Mid-year has its own legacies, creating opportunities for the Oromo people and elites to learn Oromo history from the heroes and heroines of Dhombir war era, helping Oromo communities of Mid-West USA to forge unity by establishing a network of Oromo community organizations; live streaming some of the panel discussions for the Oromo people to follow the deliberations on these important topics as the events unfold. The participation in OSA Mid-Year conference by the Oromo community of Chicago is unparalleled given the small size of the community. The discussions were civil, lunch was served free sponsored by Gilead Chicago office and the Oromo community of Chicago. There was an overwhelming feeling of “What a wonderful conference! What a wonderful round table by heroes and heroines of the Dhombir war!, What an amazing story told by Akko Makkaa-widow of the late Colonel Adam Jilo!, What an amazing story telling by Hajji Umar Malka of Radio Mogdisho!..Etc. The keynote speakers created great enthusiasm as anticipated and helped to increase our conference attendance. Drs. Beyene Petros and Marara Gudina’s presence at our conference was also a good opportunity for the attendees to ask questions and voice their concern during and after the conference.

Special thank you for OSA Board members Bonnie, Dr. Guluma and Arfasse; and Dr. Ezekiel, Dr, Mesfin, Yeshi Tolesa and Kadiro for coming and participating and contributing. I would like to extend my heartfelt thank you to the Oromo community of Chicago and the youth for the participation and for working so hard, for the Sunday lunch and dinner and the volunteers who organized the conference with us. Special thank you to Weiss Memorial Hospital for allowing us to use the Leo Wallach auditorium and a second conference room, and parking service free of charge. It is my home campus and I am proud of Weiss Hospital for its service for our community. Weiss is the best!. I believe, OMN had a good opportunity to use the second conference room to interview some of the conference participants, distinguished OSA panelists and keynote speakers. OMN’s coverage of the event would provide another opportunity to disseminate knowledge and information generated by our conference. Thank you gadaa.com, ayyaantuu.com, oromowiki.com and other websites for providing coverage. Thank you Ferhan Abdulselam of oromp3.com for being a resource person.

Finally, preparation is underway for our annual conference to be held in Washington DC Metro area! We will promote the Oromo Gada system and Oromo democracy, celebrate 40 years of research by esteemed scholars and Oromo renaissance. I look forward to a robust partnership with Oromo community organizations and individuals as we work to make this forthcoming annual conference one of the most memorable in the history of our association. We are planning to bring Oromo Gada councilors to USA. Your help is needed! Last but not least, OSA is in the process of creating a mailing list through its new website. I would like to invite all Oromos who would like to be informed about OSA’s activities and that of its members to become members of the forum which is available on OSA’s website home page. Please, go to www.oromostudies.org and create an account and be a member, there you will find newest information from OSA. You can also post news and info for forum members. We did it together!!!

Thank you. Galatooma.

Ibrahim Amae Elemo M.D, M.P.H
President, Oromo Studies Association