Training Across Borders (TAB) Africa 2019: Finding Unity in Differences builds on the success of the East African Aikido Seminar in 2017, and deepens the collaboration between Aikido Ethiopia, Strozzi Institute, the African Union, and the US Embassy. Young Africans from Ethiopia, Eritria, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Djibouti as well as their non-African peers, have the unique opportunity to learn from international experts in Aikido, embodied leadership,and conflict transformation.
As unprecedented actions towards peace, collaboration and diversity take place in Ethiopia as well as other East African countries, we will come together to explore essential questions of building stronger and more expansive unity within our differences. How do we create and thrive within a larger 'We?' What does it look like to create a multi-national identity without losing the unique qualities of our tribes/families? Within the complexities that arise, how do we peacefully co-exist?
The seminar also brings respected East African elders together again to share their wisdom and ancient traditions in working with conflict. During the 2017 East African Aikido Seminar, an elder speaking of his tribe’s traditions said, “This is a teaspoon in the ocean.” During TAB Africa we will be able to explore more deeply African tools and approaches to leadership and conflict as well as Western and Asian practices and perspectives, through the practice and the principles of Aikido.
Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art developed in the 1930’s by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, community building and self-transformation as a combatant in war. This transformation fueled his dedication to building a martial art that is focused on peace. Aikido is an art of peace, whose aim and philosophy is to diffuse internal and interpersonal aggression through nonviolent techniques. Aikido is currently practiced by more than one million people around the world, furthering the founder’s vision of Aikido as “a way to reconcile the world.”
TAB AFrica 2019: Finding Unity in Differences will serve as a groundbreaking cultural exchange and collaboration for peace. We are also working towards the completion of the Aikido Ethiopia Dojo in Hawassa.
Our commitment is to raise $35,000 in order to support the attendance and participation of 100% of the African attendees. Please make a donation and/or join our team as a fundraiser and help bring the seminar to life!
Thank you for your support.
Aikido Ethiopia Leadership Team:
Richard Strozzi-Heckler, Louis Pollack, Tesfaye Tekelu, and Katina Bishop
P.S. For more information on the work of Aikido Ethiopia please visit our website: http://www.aikidoethiopia.com
