Monday, 21 July 2014 07:53

Newsletter 40

  • G-77 + CHINA & COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT
  • Aviation students get new opportunity

G-77 + CHINA & COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT

The capital newsletterTuesday, 08 July 2014 06:09 

The fiftieth anniversary of the Group of 77 + China took place in the South American country of Bolivia last month. The group of 77 + China was established by seventy-seven developing countries in 1964. Its main objective was to advance the general position (trade terms, etc) of developing countries within the world system. Even though the group currently comprises over 130 countries, its effectiveness, particularly when it comes to defending the position of the downtrodden against polarizing trade & investment leaves a lot to be desired!
At the time of the group's formation, all rounded engagement was naively based on the assumption that southern countries, which were at various stages of 'development', have the potential to 'make it' just like the developed countries. It was thought the global rat race that goes by the name 'development' or more appropriately 'industrialization' was a winnable proposition and all countries potentially benefit from it. G-77 + China's attempt at social and economic transformation (for the majority of the living people), by essentially imitating what happened in the Northern/Western countries has since encountered difficulties that were not sufficiently appreciated at the time of the group's inception. The un-modulated ideology of industrialization with its 'catching up' syndrome (with the West) was unquestioned and operated from behind the scene. In those days the finiteness of resources as well as the multifarious limitations of humans were hardly recognized by many of those vanguard states. For instance, cheap energy (read fossil fuel) was more or less assumed to be there for the asking to fuel conventional development. As many of these countries embarked on the 'development' bandwagon modeled after Western experience, the built-in limitations (scarcity of natural resources as well as generalized pollution) began to surface on the global scene, on unprecedented scale!
Better aware of the situation, the powerful states of the system continued to devise global sub-systems of all kinds, {economic (WTO), political (G-7), judicial (ICC), etc.)}, to secure or even monopolize the world's finite resources. Naturally, this project has now started to undermine prevailing peace between nations. Outright warfare/coercive belligerence has become (just like before) the favored tool employed to access resources as well as pry open markets. Not many amongst the downtrodden realized the whole development schema was just a gimmick to hoodwink the global beast (human mass), into submitting to the unsustainable/irrational logic of the world system, namely; extraction (natural resources without end), pollution (climate change, oceans' acidification etc.), exploitation (the wretched of the earth) and polarization (inequalities within countries.) It is this comprehensive challenge the world is now facing, in one form or another!
Sadly, those who have been at it longer (advanced industrialized countries) are not willing to consider alternative and comprehensive social formations/human organizations based on the above obvious limits. The so-called institutions of higher learning, think tank, etc. in the West do not seem to be interested in such issues, shallow pontification aside. In fact, they seem to be quite content in serving the status quo (the life threatening senile system) as learned functionaries and apologetics. Nonetheless, enlightened individuals from all over the world have started to deconstruct the prevailing nonsense and are on their ways to getting their ideas across to the global beast, as it is the one that will disproportionately suffer from the consequences of the system's hubris!
Refreshingly, some of the vanguard states of G-77 + China are taking matters in their own hands, against all odds! As states go, it is the South American countries and the island states that deserve special mentioning in this regard. Even in the core countries of the system, independent attitude/outlook against the workings of the system is fomenting in various circles. Unfortunately, as we stated above, the major institutions of the world that can effectively contribute to the debate are rendered mute, thanks to entrenched interests' intransigency!
Be that as it may, rethinking conventional development is a must if we are to prevent chaos and destruction all over. The reigning world order, based on the stupid and insane assumption; 'there is no limit to growth', can neither bring peace nor prosperity to the world. Breaking out of this suffocating lunacy is imperative if we are to advance humanly and not continue beastly! "I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Good Day!


Aviation students get new opportunity

The Capital Newsletter By Muluken Yewondwossen        

Tuesday, 08 July 2014 05:20

The locally based National Aviation College and three Chinese state owned universities signed a collaboration agreement to train Ethiopian students in aviation science.

The two year old National Aviation College, a sister company of National Airways, a locally based air  transportation company, signed the agreement with Shenyang Aerospace University (SAU), Liaoning Shihua University and Liaoning University on Monday June 30 at the Capital Hotel in Addis Ababa. Representatives of the universities were in attendance.

According to Gezahegn Birru, dean of the National Aviation College, the agreement between the local college and Shenyang Aerospace University will benefit Ethiopian students because they will receive practical aviation training.

Aviation aeronautical engineering, aircraft design, manufacturing, and maintenance are some of the trainings that will be provided by National Aviation College in collaboration with Shenyang Aerospace University at post graduate level.

According to officials of the two institutions students will be able to get training in Ethiopia and Shenyang Aerospace University in China and can potentially obtain further education up to a PhD in Aviation Science.

Abera Lemmi (Capt.), General Manager of National Airways, said they plan to make the classes affordable.

The courses will also feature instructors from Shenyang Aerospace University.

The college had also planned to link with a US based aviation school but was unable to do so because the price would make it unaffordable for students.

Currently the college has 140 students studying ticketing, reservation, cargo operations, airport operations and how to be a cabin crew.

They have received recognition from International Air Transport Association (IATA) and students graduating next month will receive certification if they meet the criteria set by the IATA.

Abera said that there are two other state institutions that can provide additional aviation training.

National Aviation College is now in the process of obtaining a permit from the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority to begin courses on becoming a pilot and aircraft technician.

Since it was founded by the government in 1952, Shenyang Aerospace University has been one of the key aeronautical universities in China. While focusing on Engineering, SAU offers 46 disciplines of undergraduate study, 50 disciplines of graduate study and joint programs for doctorates. SAU has established co-operative agreements with over 200 universities and companies around the globe and an active exchange program for both teachers and students. Degrees from Shenyang Aerospace University are recognized world-wide.