Intensified Digital Water Diplomacy Needed to Tell Ethiopia’s Truth: Science and Technology University Lecturer

Intensified participation of university scholars and media as well as other stakeholders in water diplomacy is crucial to tell Ethiopia’s truth about water use to the world, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU) Philosophy and Social Science Lecturer Teshome Abera told ENA.

The country has to mobilize and use professionals in the universities to support efforts that counter propaganda on Ethiopia, especially in relation to the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), he said.

According to him, some forces have created agenda and carried out extensive campaigns to influence the attitude of others and build a negative image of Ethiopia’s position on the dam.

In order to reverse this coordinated attack, an integrated approach is very important, the lecturer stressed.

“Face-to-face diplomacy is declining and digital diplomacy is governing the world. So, I believe that we need to work great job in this field.”

Recall that a Water, Hydro-diplomacy and Communication Forum aimed at promoting Ethiopia’s position on several issues related to water and correcting the misconception about the GERD was established.

“We must shape our own agenda. We need to involve the diaspora, ministry of foreign affairs, and universities to convey quality messages. There are university scholars who have deep knowledge in this matter. We have to play our own big role by involving them.”

Teshome underlined that this has to start from the bottom and our students should know the truth about our rivers from their childhood.

The next generation must know the truth about Abbay River from childhood to reverse some false narratives that block the way to equitable water utilization, the lecturer elaborated.

An Ethiopian child knows well about Adwa. Now we have to pass on the role played by this generation to the next generation by building the Renaissance dam in the field of development.

He pointed out that the next generation must know the truth, come forward and ensure their sovereignty in order to the use their share of water.

Therefore, the lecturer underscored that curricula which cover Ethiopia’s water rights and other facts should be designed and taught in schools from bottom.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency