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DISC
ECDD honors President of Addis Ababa University at special event to mark
the 4th Anniversary of the founding of ECDD
The 4th Anniversary Celebration of the Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development
(ECDD) took place on 29 December 2009 in the historic Mekonnen Hall at Addis Ababa University (AAU).
The Guest of Honor was Professor Andreas Eshete, AAU President and member of the ECDD Association.
During the evening the many achievements of Prof. Andreas in promoting the inclusion of students
with disabilities at the University were recognized. Dr. Elizabeth
W/Giorgis, acting Director of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies, and Ms. Rita Pankhurst,
long time personal friend of Prof. Andreas, made presentations.
The event was attended by over 150 students, professors, friends, and colleagues as
well as by members and staff of the ECDD Association. During the evening Prof.
Andreas was lauded in poetry and in speeches by representatives of the 3 AAU
associations of students with disabilities, by Laureate Prof. Tirussew Teferra,
Dean of the AAU Faculty of Education, and by Honorable Asemelash W/Selassie, MP,
and Chair of the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Standing Committee.
Prof. Andreas was presented by ECDD with an oil painting by Artist Worku Mamo,
a well known Ethiopian artist with a disability, depicting the gathering of patriots
in the countryside to defend the motherland at the battle of Adwa. The highlight of
the evening was when Prof. Andreas shared his memories of those who had influenced
his life and work, leading to his commitment to ensure diversity at AAU and the
inclusion of ever greater numbers of students with disabilities.