The Ethiopian Discussion and Capacity Building Centre in the UK (EDCBC UK) in collaboration with the Ethiopian Event Organising Task Force, the British People and other Community groups has successfuly held a meeting, remembered & honoured the suffragette, British-Ethiopian Human Rights defender Sylvia Pankhurst, and her extended family on Sunday, 17 July 2022 in the London O2 Centre at Finchley Road from 5:00 Pm.
The Organisers very much appreciated the diverse participants of the event. Thanks to the respected invited people we had the average expected attendees despite of minor adversaries. Lord Duncan McNair from the Peaceful Planet, Professor Helen Pankhurst CBE, Grand Daughter of Sylvia Pankhurst, Ms Sheeba, Ras Cos Wadadda and Ms Judith Palmer from the Ethiopian World Federation (Rasta Community), Members of the Ethiopian Royal family and senior Ethiopian Comminity leaders attended this very important comemmoration event.
Best wishes and apologies have been received from the Honorable Annelise Dodds (Shadow Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Office), the London Mayor office, from Mr Dave Anderson the current Chair of Marras, former MP of Blaydon & Chair of APPG on TWS, the BBC, Ms Dawn Buttler MP and many other high profile and VIP. Presentors were impressive and the event was very educative for the current as well as for the future generaions. Thank you for visiting Iwooket Media. Scroll down to learn more About Sylvia Pankhurst!
THE EVENT ORGANISING COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING COLLEAGUES:
Mr Abiyou Welela
Mr Kefyalew Tasse
Mr Mulu Mengiste
Mr Solomon Kebede
Mr Iyassu Ephrem
Mr Kefale Alemu
Mr Getachew Alemayehu
Ms Aregash G/Tsadiq
Mr Belay Melese
THE ORGANISERS ARE ALSO GRATEFUL FOR THE FOLLOWING RESPECTED SPEAKERS:
* Professor Helen Pankhurst CBE, Daughter of Professor Richard Pankhurst,
* Lord Duncan McNair from the Peaceful Planet,
* Ms Sheeba from the Ethiopian World Federation (Rasta Community)
* Mr Kefale Alemu one of the organising Committee Members from EDCBC UK,
* Mr Taye Alemayehu
* Ms Aregash W/Tsadiq
THE ORGANISERS ARE GRATFULL FOR THE FOLLOWING RESPECTED ATTENDEES
Dr Ermias Alemu
Mr Ephrem Znabe
Mr Belay Melesse
Ras Cos Wadadda (from Ethiopian World Fedration (Rasta Community)
Ms Judith Palmer (from Ethiopian World Fedration (Rasta Community)
Mr Haile Mariam Legesse
Mr Girma Belay
Ms Shewanesh
Ms Birhan
Ms Selam Amare
Mr Alebachew Desalegn
Mr Getachew Mulatu
Mr Aimro G/Mesqel
Mr KaleWold Worku
Mr Wosen Irko
Mr Solomon Yimenu
Mr Endalkachew
Mr Mekuriyaw Bayou
Mr Mulugeta Asrate
Mr Tadesse Melesse
Mr Kassa Tadesse
Mr Mengistu Tekle
Ms Genet Deneke
and many More ….
BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO SYLVIA PANKHURST
Today’s improved Social Justice and Democratic rights should not be taken for granted. These are the legacies of great selfless people who have defended the fundamental rights and interests of the current as well as the future generations. Honorary Sylvia Pankhurst is one of such extra ordinary Human Rights Defenders of the 20th Century. Inequality and Social injustice can negatively affect human development and the progress of today’s inspiring Science and Technology. Social justice, peace and harmony are basis for global security and stability.
Even though we all contribute to society, few courageous people perform the most challenging and risky tasks for generations. As we admire & praise scientists, inventors, and researchers, humanists must be honoured and recognised properly. The honorary Sylvia Pankhurst was an English campaigner for the suffrage who fought for the right to vote in public elections movement and activist in the cause of anti-fascism and the international auxiliary language movement. Honorary Sylvia Pankhurst spent much of her life selflessly by campaigning for Women Rights and against Fascism during the II WW. Honorary Sylvia Pankhurst was a borderless Human Rights defender & respected friend of Emperor Haile Selassie and Ethiopians at Large.
Ethiopia and & Britain have impressive relationships. During the war against fascism the exiled Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie & other refugees were supported by Sylvia and the British People. Sylvia campaigned for justice in Ethiopia during the Italian occupation in London and had been an active supporter of Ethiopian culture and independence since the Italian invasion in 1935. After the allied forces of Ethiopia and Britain ended the devastating occupation of Africa from Fascism she contributed a great deal in Modernising Ethiopia. Today there are many thousands of refugees and British Ethiopian Citizens living & integrating in the UK. It is saddening that the people of Ethiopia, for whom Sylvia and many other people fought for still suffering from injustice and brutalities.
Sylvia’s son Professor Richard Pankhurst was also one of the most respected and loved British-Ethiopian Citizen. He is Well known for his credible research on economic, history and Socio-Cultural Studies of Ethiopia. He began working at the University College of Addis Ababa, and in 1962 he was the founding director of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies. He edited the Journal of Ethiopian Studies and the Ethiopia Observer. Professor Richard Pankhurst had written many articles in “SELAMTA” for the Ethiopian Airlines magazine which I very much loved to read when I was a schoolboy.
He wrote Many books and known by many as the Encyclopaedia of Ethiopia. Professor Richard Pankhurst’s Wife Rita Pankhurst was also a marvellous friend of Ethiopia. Currently Professor Alula Pankhurst and Professor Helen Pankhurst, CBE are serving Ethiopia as their father and Grand mother did. Professor Alula Pankhurst lives and works in Ethiopia and he is not able to join us Today. However, it is my greatest pleasure to inform you that Professor Helen Pankhurst, CBE, Grand Daughter of Sylvia Pankhurst is among us today. The great British Ethiopians Citizens, Honorary Sylvia Pankhurst, her son Professor Richard Pankhurst and Rita Pankhurst’s bodies rest in the Addis Ababa Trinity Cathedral where Royals and Patriots of Ethiopia are exclusively buried.
May their Souls Rest in Heaven
Thank you for coming and attending this important event
Kefale Alemu