Somali Studies Conference!
I will give you the link to this article: http://www.thelantern.com/ I will try to give you the readers a recap. Supposedly, there are two sides to Somali coin- a proponent of the TFG and opponent. I myself don't try to dwell on politics or nor have thirsty for it. The congress had many views and I wasn't certainly shopping for an agenda. The session started Wednesday but it got interesting when the key speaker showed on Thursday such as (Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer, Mayor Michael Coleman) and outside were storm of protester with signs calling for outright support for the TFG. The Somali community were under the assumption of the meeting was to provoke anti-government sentiment. But I could tell you this much, the scholarly engine to run Somalia were there for the taking. These scholars were disengaged and more engage on their perceived individualistic notions. All in fairness let me state the purpose of this organization. Although, the word organization when reference to us, it makes me cringe. Let me tell how the meaning come across to me: Somali Studies Congress-it's a scholarly platform for both Somalis and NonSomalis that dedicate themselves to the study of ever aspect Somali population. The hosting group and the community quarrels should have been aside from the Somali Congress's agenda. Honestly, I was amazed to have seen young and old Somali scholars passionately providing their respective view in different issues. I try to interpret if any vision can be captured from the range of visions that were present. I’m content the fact that I can not profess any prolific stance that could have sobered my conscious. I can attest to difference opinion had a scholarly representation. The question that I would address to the Somali Studies group< Why didn't the Congress attracted college student in prolonging their cause? And How can that gap be closed? I was furious to have witness zero participant from College student!!
OSU brings together Somali population Hundreds of people from across the world are expected to attend the Somali Studies International Conference began Wednesday.This year's conference is at Ohio State and will feature different activities to build cultural awareness.The conference has grown throughout the years and has been held in many countries including Somalia, Italy, Denmark, Canada and Finland.This week will be the 10th conference, which is held once every three years. This year it is being co-hosted by the OSU Center for African Studies along with Ohio University, the Somali Studies International Association and a number of other sponsors.
