| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Haile Selassie I |
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| Selected Speeches |
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| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Chapter IX |
| Selected Speeches |
| Unique Programme |
Community development is a unique programme, differing from other
governmental departments, in that it is in the truest sense a partnership
between the government and the people. It devolves on the people to
manage their own affairs making the best use of technical and other
resources of the Administration.
There are a number of essential public services which have to be managed
entirely by the Government such as large scale and key industries,
Transport and Communications, Education, Health, Defence, Public
Security, Law and Order and Administration of Justice and the like.
These nation-building activities naturally claim a major portion of
governmental resources both in terms of finance and personnel. In the
eternal tussel for national priority, small village problems often are
relegated to the background and are subjected to long delays before they
are attended to. In Amharic there is a proverb saying "Fifty lemons can
serve as decoration for fifty men but constitute a load for a single person."
Similarly in our local communities, if people co-operate to undertake small
improvements it could make a vast difference in our level of living and also
conserve national efforts and resources for other equally important
purposes.
One can think of a vast and unending catalogue of self-help projects which
can be tackled by energetic community action. Feeder and link roads in
the countryside; small bridges, improvement in water supply, housing,
sanitation, construction ov communit institutions like, schools, clinics,
community centres, or the undertaking of economic improvement projects
for better agriculture, handicraft, cattle breeding, poultry, fish culture and
the like, on the basis of their own initiative.
governmental departments, in that it is in the truest sense a partnership
between the government and the people. It devolves on the people to
manage their own affairs making the best use of technical and other
resources of the Administration.
There are a number of essential public services which have to be managed
entirely by the Government such as large scale and key industries,
Transport and Communications, Education, Health, Defence, Public
Security, Law and Order and Administration of Justice and the like.
These nation-building activities naturally claim a major portion of
governmental resources both in terms of finance and personnel. In the
eternal tussel for national priority, small village problems often are
relegated to the background and are subjected to long delays before they
are attended to. In Amharic there is a proverb saying "Fifty lemons can
serve as decoration for fifty men but constitute a load for a single person."
Similarly in our local communities, if people co-operate to undertake small
improvements it could make a vast difference in our level of living and also
conserve national efforts and resources for other equally important
purposes.
One can think of a vast and unending catalogue of self-help projects which
can be tackled by energetic community action. Feeder and link roads in
the countryside; small bridges, improvement in water supply, housing,
sanitation, construction ov communit institutions like, schools, clinics,
community centres, or the undertaking of economic improvement projects
for better agriculture, handicraft, cattle breeding, poultry, fish culture and
the like, on the basis of their own initiative.
| Economic Development |
| Students of Today -- Teachers of Tomorrow |
Graduates of this training centre, who graduated two years ago, have
already become pioneers in the field of community development and set
new traditions and an image that "government servants" are "people's
servants." They have proved that the government has trained a new type
of worker who can handle difficult community problems. Patience,
courage, and persistent effort alone can help our workers to bring about
social change effectively. You, who have deliberately chosen this
missionary vocation, therefore, need to be congratulated. We should
follow the example of this type of community service, even those who had
the privilege of education abroad should be prepared to dedicate their
services in rural surroundings even at the cost of personal inconvenience.
Our nation, with 90% of its people living in rural areas and serving the
backbone of Our economy, is desparately looking up to young men of
your calibre and training to rise to the occasion.
While you were at this training centre, it is true that you have learned
many principles and techniques of community development. To learn
these principles and techniques is one thing and to apply them is yet
another.
Do you like to serve people? Are you happy to work with people? Are
you doing your best? We hope you will ask yourselves these questions as
often as you can while you are in this noble profession.
The community development worker's task is unique. We must be
prepared to work late at night, on official holidays or any odd hour, if the
need arises.
A good community development worker is always as ready to learn as to
teach. If you are guided by this principle you will always try to improve,
which is good for yor own self-improvement and for that of your work.
If you are open-minded and ready to learn, there are many things which
you can learn not only from books and instructors but from the very life
experience itself. There are definitely many things which you can learn
from the people. If you are guided by this principle, you will be surprised
how pleasant life can be even under trying conditions.
Finally, We would like to thank the staff members of the training centre
can all those who have contributed in one way or another in the
implementation of this important programme of training community
development workers.
The government has many development programmes intended to raise the
standard of living of Our people. The people on their part are keen to
participate in these national development programmes, and it is your job to
mobilize their human and natural resources in order to effectively tackle
our developmental problems.
In this noble task, may the Almighty grant you faith, courage, tolerance
and understanding to crown your efforts with His glory and success.
Our people, realizing the great efforts deployed by Us for their welfare and
betterment, have begun, in several areas of their own free will, to assist
co-operatively in the execution of Our plans. This has been a source of
gratification for Us, and your presence in the districts and villages to assist
them in their endeavours by giving them advice in the mobilization of their
energies will contribute a great deal in promoting and strengthening Our
plans for their well-being. Having provided the opportunities of education
for Our youth, to see the young people who have benefited form this
education accepting the responsibility to go to the various parts of the
country to advise Our people in the new techniques that they have
acquired, thus enriching the experience of the people -- this act being a
manifestation of Our desire to raise the living standard of Our people --
gives Us peace of mind.
To live a full life and to be thankful for the blessings of God nothing is
more rewarding than, after having learned to teach your fellow-man, using
your talent to teach others. May God guide you in the accomplishment of
this task.
We express Our gratitude to the Government of the United States of
America for their contribution towards the building of this centre and to its
successful functioning.
already become pioneers in the field of community development and set
new traditions and an image that "government servants" are "people's
servants." They have proved that the government has trained a new type
of worker who can handle difficult community problems. Patience,
courage, and persistent effort alone can help our workers to bring about
social change effectively. You, who have deliberately chosen this
missionary vocation, therefore, need to be congratulated. We should
follow the example of this type of community service, even those who had
the privilege of education abroad should be prepared to dedicate their
services in rural surroundings even at the cost of personal inconvenience.
Our nation, with 90% of its people living in rural areas and serving the
backbone of Our economy, is desparately looking up to young men of
your calibre and training to rise to the occasion.
While you were at this training centre, it is true that you have learned
many principles and techniques of community development. To learn
these principles and techniques is one thing and to apply them is yet
another.
Do you like to serve people? Are you happy to work with people? Are
you doing your best? We hope you will ask yourselves these questions as
often as you can while you are in this noble profession.
The community development worker's task is unique. We must be
prepared to work late at night, on official holidays or any odd hour, if the
need arises.
A good community development worker is always as ready to learn as to
teach. If you are guided by this principle you will always try to improve,
which is good for yor own self-improvement and for that of your work.
If you are open-minded and ready to learn, there are many things which
you can learn not only from books and instructors but from the very life
experience itself. There are definitely many things which you can learn
from the people. If you are guided by this principle, you will be surprised
how pleasant life can be even under trying conditions.
Finally, We would like to thank the staff members of the training centre
can all those who have contributed in one way or another in the
implementation of this important programme of training community
development workers.
The government has many development programmes intended to raise the
standard of living of Our people. The people on their part are keen to
participate in these national development programmes, and it is your job to
mobilize their human and natural resources in order to effectively tackle
our developmental problems.
In this noble task, may the Almighty grant you faith, courage, tolerance
and understanding to crown your efforts with His glory and success.
Our people, realizing the great efforts deployed by Us for their welfare and
betterment, have begun, in several areas of their own free will, to assist
co-operatively in the execution of Our plans. This has been a source of
gratification for Us, and your presence in the districts and villages to assist
them in their endeavours by giving them advice in the mobilization of their
energies will contribute a great deal in promoting and strengthening Our
plans for their well-being. Having provided the opportunities of education
for Our youth, to see the young people who have benefited form this
education accepting the responsibility to go to the various parts of the
country to advise Our people in the new techniques that they have
acquired, thus enriching the experience of the people -- this act being a
manifestation of Our desire to raise the living standard of Our people --
gives Us peace of mind.
To live a full life and to be thankful for the blessings of God nothing is
more rewarding than, after having learned to teach your fellow-man, using
your talent to teach others. May God guide you in the accomplishment of
this task.
We express Our gratitude to the Government of the United States of
America for their contribution towards the building of this centre and to its
successful functioning.
| Haile Selassie the First - October 25, 1962 |
| Visit To Awassa Oct. 25, 1962 |
Realizing the great potentialities of co-operative community action in
national progress and development, We established the Ministry of
National Community Development as early as 1957. Our chief concern
has been to improve life and living conditions of Our people, especially the
weaker section of Our society like nomads, who live in under-developed
regions of Our Empire.
In the world of today, community development is universally recognized
as "A process designed to create conditions of economic and social
progress for the whole community with active participation and largely
dependent upon the initiative of the community."
Accordingly when people have the ability and means, their partnership
with the Government in development plans strengthens both the people
and the Government. It is therefore with this belief that We have
undertaken extensive educational plans throughout the nation.
Community development, thus, comprises two important elements:
(1) the participation of the people themselves in efforts to improve
their level of living with as much reliance as possible on their own
initiative, and
(2) the provision of technical and other related services in ways
which encourage initiative, self-help and mutual aid and make these more
effective.
Self-help thus is the quintessence of community development
programmes. It is, therefore, essential that initiative and desire for
improvement should emanate from the people and not be superimposed
from outside. It is of course the primary task of community development
workers to motivate and stimulate the people to cross barriers of apathy
and helplessness.
It is quite possible that weaker communities in backward areas display
neither interest nore enthusiasm for their welfare, and may even expect an
outright handout from the Government for their welfare. On the other
hand more progressive and alert agricultural and pastoral communities may
display keen determination to improve their lot relying on their
community's own genious and resources. While it is important to give
attention to both these types of situation, it should be remembered that any
help given to the first category of community should always aim at making
them stand on their own legs and to support the self-help potential of the
second group to accomplish higher objectives each time, thus serving as a
model and inspiration to others.
national progress and development, We established the Ministry of
National Community Development as early as 1957. Our chief concern
has been to improve life and living conditions of Our people, especially the
weaker section of Our society like nomads, who live in under-developed
regions of Our Empire.
In the world of today, community development is universally recognized
as "A process designed to create conditions of economic and social
progress for the whole community with active participation and largely
dependent upon the initiative of the community."
Accordingly when people have the ability and means, their partnership
with the Government in development plans strengthens both the people
and the Government. It is therefore with this belief that We have
undertaken extensive educational plans throughout the nation.
Community development, thus, comprises two important elements:
(1) the participation of the people themselves in efforts to improve
their level of living with as much reliance as possible on their own
initiative, and
(2) the provision of technical and other related services in ways
which encourage initiative, self-help and mutual aid and make these more
effective.
Self-help thus is the quintessence of community development
programmes. It is, therefore, essential that initiative and desire for
improvement should emanate from the people and not be superimposed
from outside. It is of course the primary task of community development
workers to motivate and stimulate the people to cross barriers of apathy
and helplessness.
It is quite possible that weaker communities in backward areas display
neither interest nore enthusiasm for their welfare, and may even expect an
outright handout from the Government for their welfare. On the other
hand more progressive and alert agricultural and pastoral communities may
display keen determination to improve their lot relying on their
community's own genious and resources. While it is important to give
attention to both these types of situation, it should be remembered that any
help given to the first category of community should always aim at making
them stand on their own legs and to support the self-help potential of the
second group to accomplish higher objectives each time, thus serving as a
model and inspiration to others.
| A Great Role |
In this co-operative venture between the people and the government,
voluntary organizations like the National Literacy Campaign committee and
other welfare agencies have a great role to play and indeed they have been
doing good work in the past and We hope they will continue to do so.
The success of community development to a large measure depends on
the co-ordination and effective communication between various
government agencies. While departmentalization of government function
and parliamentary activity is inevitable in order to cater to specialize
interests and problems, once We leave the outskirts of towns and cities all
these neat divisions vanish and the totality of the rural problem becomes a
vast interrelated complex. When people express their felt needs, these
have to be formalized into plans. The chief aim of training village-level
workers in this centre is to meet the problems of the community. The
only way We can reach them is through a unified approach of community
development workers at the village level. The various ministries could
support the work of these multi-purpose workers by assigning specialists
at the district level and for selected projects.
We have already established a National Board for Community Development
consisting of representatives of various developmental ministries apart
from the National Ministry of Community Development, Agriculture,
Education, Health, Public Works and Interior.
In this task the government officials through their dedicated services,
disciplined behaviour, humility, helpfulness and efficiency, should present
an image of selfless and devoted community workers. They should make
every effort to integrate and preserve national culture and promote and
strengthen traditional institutions like Shengo, Idir, Debo, Iqub, through
administative and other measures. These mutual-aid institutions can serve
as a sure foundation of community development and progress in Ethiopia.
It is the duty of all government officials, religious leaders and local
dignitaries who enjoy the trust and confidence of the public to promote,
continue and improve all that is healthy in Our community life and
discourage harmful practices and attitudes. They should guide, support,
and assist the local community workers. Modern governmental activity
must transcend old ideas of law and order and embrace and extend
welfare of all sections of the people. We hope and trust that Government
and Community leaders will become friend, philosphers, and guide of
Community Development and eventually themselves become model social
workers in the community.
In this task, We shall not do full justice to Our responsibility if We do not
use national and international resources duly imported, coupled with Our
own hard labour.
voluntary organizations like the National Literacy Campaign committee and
other welfare agencies have a great role to play and indeed they have been
doing good work in the past and We hope they will continue to do so.
The success of community development to a large measure depends on
the co-ordination and effective communication between various
government agencies. While departmentalization of government function
and parliamentary activity is inevitable in order to cater to specialize
interests and problems, once We leave the outskirts of towns and cities all
these neat divisions vanish and the totality of the rural problem becomes a
vast interrelated complex. When people express their felt needs, these
have to be formalized into plans. The chief aim of training village-level
workers in this centre is to meet the problems of the community. The
only way We can reach them is through a unified approach of community
development workers at the village level. The various ministries could
support the work of these multi-purpose workers by assigning specialists
at the district level and for selected projects.
We have already established a National Board for Community Development
consisting of representatives of various developmental ministries apart
from the National Ministry of Community Development, Agriculture,
Education, Health, Public Works and Interior.
In this task the government officials through their dedicated services,
disciplined behaviour, humility, helpfulness and efficiency, should present
an image of selfless and devoted community workers. They should make
every effort to integrate and preserve national culture and promote and
strengthen traditional institutions like Shengo, Idir, Debo, Iqub, through
administative and other measures. These mutual-aid institutions can serve
as a sure foundation of community development and progress in Ethiopia.
It is the duty of all government officials, religious leaders and local
dignitaries who enjoy the trust and confidence of the public to promote,
continue and improve all that is healthy in Our community life and
discourage harmful practices and attitudes. They should guide, support,
and assist the local community workers. Modern governmental activity
must transcend old ideas of law and order and embrace and extend
welfare of all sections of the people. We hope and trust that Government
and Community leaders will become friend, philosphers, and guide of
Community Development and eventually themselves become model social
workers in the community.
In this task, We shall not do full justice to Our responsibility if We do not
use national and international resources duly imported, coupled with Our
own hard labour.
| Encouraged |
We are deeply impressed and encouraged to see our people assuming
social responsibility and making substantial contributions towards
community betterment through hundreds of self-help projects in all walks
of life. All the same, in our fight against poverty, disease, and ignorance,
Our people will ahve to put in greater efforts and sacrifices so that we
may attain Our cherished goal of a higher and more satisfying level of life
and living. In this noble task each one of Our people, men and women,
young and old, rich and poor, able and disabled, has a role to play and We
are sure Our Empire will march ahead towards prosperity and progress
through united efforts of all Our citizens. In order to hasten this process,
numerous projects have been launched both with local community support
as well as international assistance.
Let us be very clear that the Ministry of National Community Development
by itself cannot tackle this gigantic nation building task unless it is assured
the fullest and whole-hearted co-operation of all other Ministries of our
Government especially the Ministries of Education, Agriculture, Public
Health, and Interior.
These ministries ought to support community development projects by
assigning their respective workers and also make available adequate
programme funds on a priority basis. The Ministry of Community
Development is responsible for training and assigning district and village
workers to guide and organize the people for their development. Similarly,
the Ministry of Interior could instruct its officials to assist the project
through their provincial and district administrators. As this co-ordination
and team work has already been established, it would avoid duplication of
efforts and waste of time and money. These Ministries should always
assist all projects launched by the community in all possible ways through
technical assistance as well as material aid. All Our fourteen provinces,
shold therefore be thinking and working out their regional development
plans. The sum total of these efforts and experiences would assure a
general improvement and progress of the whole Empire. The example of
developed countries amply proves the truth of the proverb "Unity is
strength." Today it is the duty of Africans to preserve and strengthen the
already established African unity. Our best contribution to the ideal will be
to work for and achieve co-operation and development within Our own
country.
social responsibility and making substantial contributions towards
community betterment through hundreds of self-help projects in all walks
of life. All the same, in our fight against poverty, disease, and ignorance,
Our people will ahve to put in greater efforts and sacrifices so that we
may attain Our cherished goal of a higher and more satisfying level of life
and living. In this noble task each one of Our people, men and women,
young and old, rich and poor, able and disabled, has a role to play and We
are sure Our Empire will march ahead towards prosperity and progress
through united efforts of all Our citizens. In order to hasten this process,
numerous projects have been launched both with local community support
as well as international assistance.
Let us be very clear that the Ministry of National Community Development
by itself cannot tackle this gigantic nation building task unless it is assured
the fullest and whole-hearted co-operation of all other Ministries of our
Government especially the Ministries of Education, Agriculture, Public
Health, and Interior.
These ministries ought to support community development projects by
assigning their respective workers and also make available adequate
programme funds on a priority basis. The Ministry of Community
Development is responsible for training and assigning district and village
workers to guide and organize the people for their development. Similarly,
the Ministry of Interior could instruct its officials to assist the project
through their provincial and district administrators. As this co-ordination
and team work has already been established, it would avoid duplication of
efforts and waste of time and money. These Ministries should always
assist all projects launched by the community in all possible ways through
technical assistance as well as material aid. All Our fourteen provinces,
shold therefore be thinking and working out their regional development
plans. The sum total of these efforts and experiences would assure a
general improvement and progress of the whole Empire. The example of
developed countries amply proves the truth of the proverb "Unity is
strength." Today it is the duty of Africans to preserve and strengthen the
already established African unity. Our best contribution to the ideal will be
to work for and achieve co-operation and development within Our own
country.