Re: Director message- Welcome to our ECHO EA 11th Biannual Symposium in Ethiopia organized jointly with In Christ Minister of Gospel Ministry Ethiopia 23rd to 26th June 2026
David ngige
Dear Friends,
From: East Africa <easta...@echonet.org>
Date: Sat, Jun 20, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Subject: Director message- Welcome to our ECHO EA 11th Biannual Symposium in Ethiopia organized jointly with In Christ Minister of Gospel Ministry Ethiopia 23rd to 26th June 2026
To: East Africa <easta...@echocommunity.org>
Cc: Margareth Mollel <mmo...@echocommunity.org>, Raquel Achieng Ogaya <rog...@echocommunity.org>, Sarah Augustino Kwayson <skwa...@echocommunity.org>
Dear Delegates,
Welcome to this in-person Symposium organized by ECHO East Africa and In Christ Minister of Gospel Ministry! We are glad to meet at this networking opportunity of approximately 70 delegates from all over the world. We hope that the topics discussed this coming week and networking will significantly impact our future collaborations. A wide array of speakers with different objectives, approaches and skills have been called together, whose converging mission still has a surprising unity:
- Agroecology and sustainable farming systems
- Food security, nutrition, and crop diversity
- Appropriate technologies for smallholder farmers’ development
- Market access, value addition, and livelihood improvement
- Innovation, climate resilience, and farmer outreach
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ECHO and In Christ Minister of Gospel take this opportunity to thank all participants for investing time and resources by attending, and especially to the 20+ facilitators who have come from all corners of the globe to share their knowledge and experiences. The symposium offers opportunity to raise our awareness of issues, propose best practices worthy of scaling up, and introduce us to new partners, agricultural and agroforestry development organizations, public and private sector actors. A possible, ambitious result of this Symposium will be formation of hubs or communities of practice to consider how better to encourage each other in our work to help smallholder farmers and pastoralists to develop resilient systems.
Please take note of the organization of the Symposium’s daily schedule on pages 4 - 5, so that you fully participate and choose options best suited to your own work: PLENARY SESSIONS - The Symposium will provide three mornings of plenary sessions featuring knowledgeable and experienced speakers on topics with broad relevance. NETWORKING: WEAR YOUR NAME TAGS: These events are networking opportunities. This means you, the delegates, are the most important resource. Discuss during meals, evenings, and breaks any project that has worked well, a "good idea” and why it failed, a promising plant, how these integrate agricultural work with church activities, or other lessons learned in agriculture projects. Share your needs. POST-SYMPOSIUM TOURS - Post symposium tours will be offered on June 26th and will occur based upon sign-ups as a show of interest. Our hope is to offer excellent examples of sustainable agriculture, appropriate technology and outreach to the poor through these tours. Additional charges will cover costs for this half day which includes cost for lunch and water. |
Lastly, please know we at ECHO EA and In Christ Minister of Gospel Ministry Ethiopia are here to serve you, both while you are here, and when you leave, through the excellent website www.echocommunity.org and which we hope you will become a future contributor and frequent user.
Important Note on VISAS
For all traveling on tourist visas, don't mention the conference to immigration but rather you are touring Ethiopia.
For all travelling on Business visa, your host is INCHRIST MINISTER OF GOSPEL MINISTRY a ministry focusing on livelihood improvement in Ethiopia working with church partners- Contacts Abenezer +251945369071
Visitor Brief – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Welcome to Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia and the diplomatic capital of Africa, home to the African Union and numerous international organizations. Addis sits at an elevation of approximately 2,355 meters (7,726 feet), giving it a mild, spring-like climate throughout the year. Visitors may experience slight fatigue or shortness of breath during their first few days due to the altitude.
Before You Arrive
- Ensure your passport and visa requirements are in order.
- Carry some Ethiopian Birr (ETB) or use authorized exchange facilities upon arrival.
- Bring layers of clothing; days are generally pleasant, but mornings and evenings can be cool.
Weather
- Addis enjoys moderate temperatures year-round because of its high altitude.
- The main rainy season runs from June to September, with July and August being the wettest months.
Transportation
- Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) is the main gateway into Ethiopia.
- Recommended transport options include hotel-arranged transfers, registered taxis, or ride-hailing services.
Key Attractions
- National Museum of Ethiopia
- Holy Trinity Cathedral
- Unity Park
- Entoto Hills and Entoto Natural Park
- Merkato (one of Africa's largest open-air markets)
Cultural Tips
- English is widely used in hotels, businesses, and government offices.
- Ethiopians are known for their hospitality; greetings and respectful interactions are appreciated.
- Coffee is an important part of Ethiopian culture—participating in a traditional coffee ceremony is highly recommended.
Health & Safety
- Drink bottled or purified water.
- Use sunscreen; UV exposure is strong due to the city's altitude.
- Keep valuables secure and follow normal urban safety precautions. There is increased phone snatching
We wish you a productive and enjoyable visit to Addis Ababa. If you need assistance during your stay, please contact Margareth, Raquel or Sarah in copy
With God’s blessings,
Charei Munene,
Regional Director,
