The 19th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies Opens in the Polish Capital of Warsaw

The 19th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies (ICES) under the theme: "Ethiopia - Diversity and Interconnections through space and Time", opened at the University of Warsaw, Poland, on Monday (August 24). The more than 200 participants were welcomed by Dr. Hanna Rubinkowska-Anioł, President of the Conference Organizing Committee, by Dr. Ahmed Hassen Omer , Director of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies of Addis Ababa University and other dignitaries including Ambassador Jacek Jankowski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Ethiopia and Ambassador Ibrahim Idris, Director-General of the Boundary and Trans-boundary Resource Affairs Directorate-General in Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The five day conference includes 40 panels under 18 different headings covering Ethiopia's art and literature, history, archaeology and linguistics, social and political affairs, and all aspects of development as well as Ethiopia's place in Africa and the world, and Poland's links with Ethiopia. The conference, which takes place every two years, is the largest gathering of scholars and academics interested in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. Keynote speeches are being given by Professor Adam Łukaszewicz of the University of Warsaw on "Encounters with Ethiopia: Towards Ethiopian Studies in Context"; by Professor Baye Yimam on the "Movement, Contact and Diffusion of Features in the Ethiopian Language Area"; and by Dr. Yaqob Arsano on "The New Hydro-diplomacy of the Nile: Prospects for Peace and Security in Northeastern Africa." The Conference ends on Friday (August 28).