'Let's start now, using resources available now'

Call for action: President of Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun gives opening remarks during 4th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture  on 10 March. PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA, MICRO BUSINESS COLLEGE  

During his opening remarks, President of Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun was inviting everyone’s attention to one of his major principles in life,  of doing things now, using resources available now, to make the future brighter. 

In simple terms, his is a bottom-up belief system. The bottom is constituted of ‘time now’ and ‘resources available now’. For those who utilize these two enthusiastically, the goal at the top, how far away it is, would be attainable. “When we act now, using resources available now, then the dreams at the top would gradually come to our hand stretch distance”, Mr. Abera Tilahun elucidated.

He further added that in the women empowerment aspect, too, our instant action was required than procrastination. “Our procrastination would cause losses for our generation as well as for many generations to come. So is it wise of delaying further?” he asked. Mr. Abera commented that all major changes began from individual level, which then transcended family, community and the society. A sweeping emancipation of women should not be then a big task. “Let us change our mindsets and start pursuing for bringing women into the mainstream. Let us begin from our homes. Let us begin from our workplaces. Let us begin from our organizations”, he said.  

He recalled that Wangari Maathaai’s activities were never gigantic. She did small things earning small results. Such small feats later grew into gigantic feats. 

“First, let us begin with uprooting the traditional conservative concepts that keep women at distance from decision making, recreation, socialization, good food and good health. To do this, we need to first change our mindsets then prompt others change”, was his call.