no. 34 wednesday, september 30, 2020 pages...

No. 34 Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Pages 4

Speci

al Ed

ition

“Meskel”, which commemorates the Finding of the True Cross, was celebrated on 27th September at St. Mary’s Church within the restrictive confines of COVID-19.

Only members of the Holy Synod were present at the two-hour colorful celebrations that was broadcast live on Eri-TV, and the faithful followed the prayers and religious hymns from

The head of Culture and Sports branch in Anseba Region, Mr. Siraj Haj called on the public to strengthen endeavors to properly preserve and maintain historic buildings in Keren city. Mr. Siraj made the call at a meeting conducted in Keren city on 25 September with the view to assess the process of research and documentation of ancient buildings in the city.

At the meeting in which professional members of Anseba Region construction development, members of the Commission of Culture and Sports, municipality of Keren, National Cartography and Information Center as well as Asmara Heritage Project took part, it was stated that the process of research and documentation of ancient buildings has been underway for the last 1 year and 7 months and that consultation has been made with concerned government institutions on the process of data gathering.

Since the research is aimed at preparing a long lasting project, Mr. Tekeste Asgedom, head of Anseba

The Ministry of Agriculture organized a workshop on 28 September in connection with the World Rabies Day under the theme “End Rabies: Collaborate, Vaccinate”.

In an opening speech delivered, the Director General of Agricultural Extension at the Ministry of Agriculture Mr. Huruy Asgedom stated that the Government of Eritrea is exerting strong effort aimed at ensuring animal health, particularly in controlling diseases that transmit from animals to humans. Mr. Huruy went on to say that concerted measures and controlling programs will be reinforced to eliminate rabies from the country.

Noting that rabies is viral and attacks the Central Nervous System targeting the brain and the spinal cord, and if untreated is fatal, Dr. Yonas Weldu, director of animal and seed health branch at the Ministry of Agriculture said that it primarily

Meskel Holiday celebrated nationwidetheir homes.

At the occasion, Memhir Simon Beyene gave briefing on the historical background of the Meskel Holiday.

His Holiness Abune Pietros, Archbishop of the Eritrean Tewahdo Orthodox Church, Abune Lucas, Secretary of the Holy Synod, and Abune Basilios, administrator of the

office of the Patriarch jointly lit the bonfire or “Damera” at the premises of St. Mary’s Church.

At a concluding speech, Abune Lucas, Secretary of the Holy Synod urged the faithful and the Eritrean people to follow and practice the guidelines issued in line with the effort to contain the spread of corona virus.

call for proper preservation and Maintenance of Historic buildings

Region construction development said that effort has been made to conduct a realistic, far reaching and factual research and documentation and reminded participants to give utmost focus to the process.

Speaking at the meeting, Eng. Zeregaber Hidray, head of urban planning and housing branch at the Anseba region construction Development indicated that strong monitoring and control of ancient buildings is being conducted.

The participants of the meeting adopted a number of resolutions and recommendations and expressed determination to redouble endeavor towards effective preservation and

maintenance of ancient buildings and relics.

At a concluding speech, Ambassador Abdela Musa, Governor of the Anseba Region underlined the responsibility of every citizen in the preservation and maintenance of national heritages as well as the significant role scientific research and data collection activity to that end.

Documents indicate that there are over 700 ancient buildings owned by individuals, government and religious institutions in Keren city, those owned by individuals have almost lost their originality, while those under government and religious institutions are in good conditions.

worksHop in connection witH world rabies day

attack mammals, particularly those carnivorous ones.

Stating that most rabies cases in humans are caused by dog bites and children suffer the most from this deadly disease, Dr. Yonas went on to say that enhancing prevention and control efforts by keeping pets up to date on their rabies vaccination is paramount action in the fight against rabies.

Dr. Yonas also called for anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a presumed infected mammal to seek medical attention immediately and bring about the infected animal under the control of concerned authorities.

Finally, participants of the workshop conducted extensive discussion on the subject and adopted various resolutions and recommendations.

World Rabies Day is observed annually on 28th September worldwide.

Six patients have been diagnosed positive for COVID-19 in tests carried out on 26 September at Quarantine Centers in Serha (5), Southern Region; and, Bada (1), Northern Red Sea Region respectively.

All the patients are nationals who returned from Ethiopia recently.

On the other hand, eleven patients who were receiving medical treatment in hospitals in the Southern Red Sea Region have recovered fully and have been released from these facilities.

The total number of recovered patients to-date accordingly stands at 341.

The total number of confirmed cases in the country to-date has risen to 375.

Ministry of HealthAsmara

26 September 2020

announceMent froM tHe Ministry of HealtH

Published Every Saturday & Wednesday

Acting EditorAmanuel [email protected]

P.O.Box: 247Tel: 11-41-14Fax: 12-77-49

E-mail:profile@ zena.gov.er

Advertisement: 12-50-13

Layout

Azmera BerhaneSara Alem


Acting Editor Amanuel [email protected]

P.O.Box: 247Tel: 11-41-14Fax: 12-77-49

E-mail:[email protected]


LayoutAzmera Berhane

Sara Alem


Acting Editor Amanuel [email protected]

P.O.Box: 247Tel: 11-41-14Fax: 12-77-49

E-mail:[email protected]



Sara Alem

Published Every Wednesday & Saturday

Acting Editor Amanuel Mesfun

P.O.Box: 247Tel: 11-41-14Fax: 12-77-49

E-mail:[email protected]: 12-50-13


Aida Johar

2 No.34Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Your Excellency Ambassador Volkan Bozkir

President of the General Assembly;

Your Excellency Mr. Antonio Gueterres

UN Secretary General;

Honourable Participants,

I have the honour to deliver this speech on behalf of the President of the State of Eritrea, H.E. Mr. Isaias Afwerki.

The UN General Assembly is taking place this year at a critical juncture when the world is at a cross-roads on account of the vicious COVI-19 global pandemic that has inculcated an immense loss of life so far.

As it may be recalled, I had underlined the following salient points in my message to the UN General Assembly last year.

In as far as global trends is concerned, I had stated, and I quote, “the world is on the cusp of a new world order. All vital parameters indicate that the unipolar world order has come to

an end or is in its twilight years. The economic power balance is inexorably changing, with a spike in attendant intense rivalries and upheavals”.

In regard to Africa, my remarks were, and I quote, “Africa’s lot over the past quarter of a century has been onerous. Africa’s resources were plundered wantonly. Despite hollow phrases of ‘conflict prevention’ and ‘conflict resolution’, wars and upheavals continue to increase and fester. Almost 1 billion Africans remain marginalized through the collusion of external predators, their local surrogates and corrupt special-interest entities. This tragic reality requires utmost and urgent attention for effective remedies”.

In terms of the situation in our neighbourhood – namely the Horn of Africa and Red Sea Region – the salient points underlined in my message of last year were: and I quote: “the two regions have been immensely and inordinately afflicted in the past 25 years by externally instigated, intractable, internecine ethnic and clan conflicts, as well as discord and wars among neighbouring countries. …. This grim reality is in stark contrast to the promising events and hopes engendered in the early 1990s for regional integration. Here again, a large part of the blame falls on corrupt local actors”.

Distinguished Participants,As we mull over current

realities this year, what are the new, promising, tidings that we can invoke apart from the earnest pleas and petitions for higher efficacy that are emphasized solemnly almost every year.

Alas, what is new in our world this year is the depressing calamity; the huge loss of life that

COVID-19 has and continues to incur globally.

And albeit its agonizing dimensions, the Pandemic has starkly exposed the structural flaws and deficiencies of the prevailing, precarious, economic and security “global order”. It has debunked the spurious explanations and narratives peddled in the past to embellish and rationalize a largely dysfunctional global order. Indeed, in a rather perverted sense, the Pandemic constitutes a wake-up call; a costly reminder for us to mend our ways.

Distinguished Participants,

The pursuit and ideals of enduring global peace, stability and prosperity are squarely predicated, and can only flourish, on the edifice of a robust global organization that can measure up to all these challenges. This indelible fact is more evident than ever before. In the event, allow me to renew our call for the strengthening and revamping

Message delivered by Foreign Minister Osman Saleh on behalf of the President of the State of Eritrea, H.E. Mr. Isaias Afwerki, at

the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly

of the marginalized UN system whose authority and efficacy have been corroded in the past

decades.

I thank you

contribution to augMent Martyrs trust fund

Nationals inside and outside the country contributed financial support to augment the Martyrs Trust Fund, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare as well as Eritrean Embassies to the US and Italy reported.

Accordingly, the national holidays coordinating committee in the US contributed 9 thousand USD, assuming the responsibility to support three families of the martyrs for two years Blue Import Export contributed annual payment of 36 thousand Nakfa, and families of the late Gebrehiwet Haile Sequar contributed 20 thousand Nakfa.

Similarly, a number of nationals residing in Italian cities of Rome, Abruzzi, Catania, Firenze, Bari, Napoli, Pisa, Milan, Bologna, Genoa, Brescia, Parma, Verona, and Torino contributed a total of 27 thousand Euros.

Furthermore, in connection with 20 June, Martyrs Day, Eritrean women in Milan clustered under “Hilina” association paid 6 thousand Euros, assuming the responsibility of supporting 10 families of the martyrs. The Eritrean women have been assuming the responsibility of supporting 10 families per year for the last 7 years.

Three villages in Genzebo administrative area, Tserona sub zone, get access to potable water supply, thanks to the coordinated effort exerted in the area.

Speaking to Erina, Mr. Zerom Tesfamariam, Genzebo area administrator, said that thanks to the implementation of potable water supply project, residents have been relieved from water crisis as well as water-borne diseases.

Village development committees of the three villages on their part expressed gratitude to the administrations of the Southern Region and Tserona sub zone for their cooperation.

Report indicated that residents of Adi-Hargex administrative area also put in place similar potable water project in their area.

tHree villages in tserona sub zone get access to potable water

NEWS


Habtom Tesfamichael

In the 21st century, there is a renewed interest and activity in civics and citizenship education in many countries around the world. Citizenship Education, which is concerned about rights and obligations and how people live together in communities, nations and in the globalized world, is offered at all schools in Eritrea. It covers topics that deal with the social, cultural, and political realms of the nation and aims at producing competent, reflective and concerned citizens who will contribute to the development of the nation.

The purpose of Citizenship Education is to teach children, from early childhood, to become enlightened citizens who participate in decisions concerning their society. All forms of citizenship education promote noble ideals such as showing respect for others, recognizing the equality of all human beings and combating all forms of discrimination by fostering a spirit of tolerance and peace.

Citizenship Education has three main objectives: educating people about citizenship through an understanding of the principles and institutions (which govern a state or nation), encouraging learners to exercise their judgment and critical faculty and enabling them to acquire a sense of individual and community responsibilities. These objectives suggest four major themes for citizenship education.

The first theme deals with the relations between the individual and society and the second with individual and collective freedoms and rejection of any kind of discrimination. The third theme addresses the relations between citizens and the government and what is involved in democracy and the organization of the state and the fourth theme addresses the relations between the citizen and the democratic life and the responsibility of the individual and the citizen in the international community.

The main reason for introducing Citizenship Education in the school curriculum is that societies need active, informed and responsible citizens who are willing and able to take responsibility for themselves and their communities and contribute to the political makeup of the nation. These capacities do not develop

Citizenship Education in Eritrea

unaided. They have to be learned. A certain amount of issues about citizenship may be picked up through ordinary experience at home or at work, but it can never be sufficient to equip citizens for the sort of active roles required of them in today’s world. What is required is a more explicit approach to Citizenship Education.

Through Citizenship Education, students explore questions about democracy, justice, inequality, and how societies are governed and organized. They also learn to work together, create solutions to address challenges facing neighborhoods and wider communities and develop political awareness to make positive contributions to the society as informed and responsible citizens.

The introduction and continuation of Citizenship Education in schools forbids dogmatism. Instead, the methods and approaches chosen are those based on discussion among pupils and between pupils and teachers and those that make provision for children and young people to speak and express themselves.

Citizenship Education seeks to educate citizens who will be free to make their own judgments and hold their own convictions. Compliance with existing laws should not prevent citizens from seeking and planning better and ever more just laws. Respect for law, which is one of the objectives of civics education, calls not for blind submission to rules and laws already passed but the ability to participate in enacting them.

With regard to the laws and values accepted by an entire social group, citizenship education can

in no way be a catalogue of set questions and answers. Citizenship Education should be the forum which gives rise to and nurtures a genuine culture of discussion. Whatever the problem posed, such as the ongoing development of humanity or the stability of the rule of law, an exchange of ideas, notions, judgments and individual opinions is necessary. Citizenship Education is supposed to promote this kind of discussions.

In Eritrea, Citizenship Education at the elementary level gives more emphasis to the development of the moral aspect of the learner. Therefore, the general objectives are to inculcate in the children the desired traits; to teach children to love their country and the people and respect and obey their parents, elders, neighbors, etc.; to produce citizens that observe rules and regulations, feel responsibility to themselves as well as to others; and to raise citizens who are free from any divisive feelings and have tolerance to others.

At the middle school level, emphasis is given to the cultivation

of personal characteristics and maximization of learners’ potential as well as introduction to the social and political aspects of the nation. The general objectives are to develop learners’ interpersonal relationships with their peers and other people; to help learners build positive self-esteem and a national sentiment and commitment; and to foster cultural and religious tolerance and appreciation.

At the secondary school level, emphasis is given to developing learners’ political, social and cultural knowledge and understanding of the world, in general, and of their country, in particular. Citizenship Education deals with three themes, starting from the basic theme of ‘self’, moving on to ‘family and community’ and finally extending to ‘society and the nation’.

The first theme deals with ‘self’ and is based on the premise that ‘every individual has some unique abilities’. Based on this key idea the focus is on building character and self-esteem to create students with the ability to

understand and develop themselves and know their capabilities and how to enhance them. The purpose is also to teach students to show a sense of responsibility and accountability and understand that perseverance, diligence and responsible behavior are necessary for success. Students are taught the importance of self-discipline, honesty, fairness and moral courage and are encouraged to make fair decisions under all circumstances and stand up for what is morally right.

The second theme relates to ‘family and community’ and promotes the idea that “good interpersonal relationships promote national unity and development”. Based on this key idea, the focus is on building character of students so that they can show love, respect and appreciation for family members and contribute towards family unity. In particular, students are encouraged to contribute towards building a caring school community, show care and respect for members in the school, and demonstrate skills for dealing with peer pressure.

The third theme is about ‘society and the nation’ and centers on the idea that “citizenship means the performance of civic responsibilities”. Focusing on political literacy it deals with these concepts: Rules and laws, Unity in diversity, Responsibility towards others, and National pride and loyalty.

Rules and laws – producing students who will be able to understand and obey rules and laws, explain how law and order is maintained in the community,

continued on page 4


By: Cai Ge

Chinese Ambassador to Eritrea

October 1, 2020 is the 71st

anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and 2020 is also an extraordinary year for China. . . . On the 73rd World Health Assembly held in May and the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity Against COVID-19 held in June, H.E. President Xi Jinping announced a series of international cooperation against COVID-19, including pledging that once the development and deployment of COVID-19 vaccine is completed in China, African countries will be among the first to benefit, which demonstrates China’s sincere desire to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

China will achieve the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects; win the battle of poverty eradication in an all-round way, realizing the goal of lifting all the rural poor out of poverty under the current standards. As the country with the largest poverty reduction in the world, China has solved the problem of food and clothing for 1.4 billion people. It is also the first developing country to achieve the poverty reduction goal of the UNMDGs, contributing more than 70% to global poverty reduction. Winning the battle of poverty eradication is a solemn commitment made by the CPC to the Chinese people, and it is also a concentrated embodiment of the advantages of the leadership of the CPC and the socialist system with Chinese characteristics. It also contributes Chinese wisdom and Chinese approach to the cause of global poverty reduction.

From next year, China will implement the 14th five-year plan for national economic and social development and enter the first five years of a new journey to build a socialist modernized country in an all-round way. China will reach a new stage of development; promote the formation of a new development pattern with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulation reinforcing each other. China will generate new development momentum with scientific and technological innovation, stimulate new development vitality by deepening reform, foster new advantages of international cooperation and

China: Contributing to World Peace and Development

competition with high-level opening-up, build a new situation of social development through joint governance and sharing, and will pay more attention to safeguarding social justice and fairness, promote all-round human development and all-round social progress.

China will continue to be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of international order. H.E. President Xi Jinping stressed China is the largest developing country in the world, taking the road of peaceful, open, cooperative and common development. China will never seek hegemony, expansion or seek sphere of influence. It has no intention of fighting a hot or cold war against any country. It insists on bridging differences through dialogue and resolving disputes through negotiation. China will not seek vicious competition or engage in a zero-sum game, or develop behind closed doors. It will gradually form a new development pattern with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulation reinforcing each other. This will create more space for China’s economic development and add impetus to the recovery and growth of the world economy. China will provide another 50 million US dollars to UN COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan. China will provide the third phase China-FAO Trust Fund for South South cooperation for 50

million US dollars. The China-UN Peace and Development Fund will be prolonged for 5 years after it expires in 2025. China will set up UN Global Geographic Information and an Innovation Center and International Research Center of Big Date for Sustainable Development, to facilitate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Enhancing solidarity and cooperation with African countries has always been the cornerstone of China’s independent foreign policy of peace, as well as China’s firm and longstanding strategic choice. Under the new circumstances, China will adhere to the principles of its African policy—sincerity, practical results, affinity and good faith, uphold the values of friendship, justice and shared interests, and push for new leapfrog growth of its friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation with Africa. The core principle of upholding the values of friendship, justice and shared interests is to connect assistance to developing countries, including those in Africa, for their self-sustainable development with China’s own development, achieve win-win cooperation and common development, and promote more balanced, inclusive and sustainable development of the world at large. China will never travel the beaten path of colonialism in its cooperation with Africa and never pursue development at the cost of Africa’s natural and ecological environment

or long-term interests.This year marks not only the

71st anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, but also the 27th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Eritrea; our two countries are forging ahead on their respective development paths. While the Socialism with Chinese

characteristics has entered a new era, the Chinese Communists have been remaining true to their original aspiration and keeping their mission firmly in mind, which is seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenating the Chinese nation, and have led the Chinese people to forge ahead in realizing the “two centenary” goals and the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Under the leadership of H.E. President Isaias, the people of Eritrea have made great efforts in an independent way, and these efforts have led to remarkable progress in various areas and made important contributions to the peace, stability and development of the region.

China and Eritrea share similar experiences and profound traditional friendship. Over the past 27 years, our two countries have always respected each other, treated each other as equals, and supported each other on issues concerning our respective core interests and major concerns, cooperation has been fruitful in many areas. China is willing to work with Eritrea to deepen friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation by engaging in the Belt and Road cooperation and implementing the follow-up actions of the FOCAC Beijing Summit to the greater benefit of the two peoples.

identify the fundamentals of human rights and freedoms of the individual, and explain the importance of government.

Unity in diversity - producing students who will be able to demonstrate respect for and appreciation of the beliefs, customs and traditions of different ethnic groups, interact with people of different ethnic groups, express appreciation of living in a multiethnic society and explain how the cultural differences constitute a source of strength for the nation.

Responsibility towards others - producing students who will be able to demonstrate a sense of civic-discipline and responsibility towards others and public property, demonstrate good citizenship behavior and illustrate various ways of ensuring safety at home, school

and the community.National pride and loyalty -

producing students who will be able to demonstrate a sense of pride and loyalty to Eritrea, understand the meaning and significance of national symbols and national holidays, contribute to building up the good name of the country, contribute to the defense of the nation, explain how Eritrea became a nation and an independent state and identify some responsibilities of citizens towards nation building.

In general, Citizenship Education aims to equip learners with relevant knowledge, acceptable attitudes and the necessary skills to perform their roles as active members of the society. As the contents of Citizenship Education are value-laden and likely to be culture bound, one needs to be cautious in choosing the values to be included in the curriculum in a way that promotes the unity of the people, especially in multi-ethnic countries.

continued from page 3

Citizenship Education . . .