African Refugees and Immigrants: The Optimism of Generations

May 5-7, 2008
Sheraton National Hotel
Arlington, VA

About the Conference:

The Refugee Act of 1980 marked the first time Africans were resettled in the U.S. as refugees. In 27 years, 220,619 African refugees from diverse cultural backgrounds have been resettled in the U.S. Today, we have a generation of Africans who arrived in the 1980’s and a second generation of American-born children of African heritage. Thus, this year’s conference theme will explore many pressing refugee and immigrant issues that African newcomers face today while taking special care to reflect on the generations of Africans who now call the U.S. home. As the African newcomer population in the United State continues to grow, we hope that this conference will provide an educational tool and unique opportunity to reflect on various African refugee and immigrant issues.

About the Banquet

This year's banquet featured a look at ECDC’s first 25 years while celebrating the accomplishments and contributions that African newcomers bring to their new homeland. The event was held on May 6th from 6:30-11:30 p.m. and included dinner, live entertainment, dancing, and special guest speakers.

Special congratulatory message from InterAction:

"InterAction is proud to join many other admirers of the Ethiopian Community Development Council and its leadership in expressing heartfelt congratulations as the Council marks its 25th anniversary. We have long been privileged to have the ECDC among our members. Tsehaye Teferra, your President, currently helps shape InterAction's future as an active member of our Board of Directors. ECDC has been a breakthrough organization throughout its history, responding first to the needs of the growing Ethiopian community in the Washington and subsequently providing assistance to refugees from many countries while aiding those in need throughout the Horn of African. The first community based mutual assistance association to be designated by the Department of State to resettle refugees in this country after passage of the Refugee act of 1980, it continues this vital work. We salute you tonight for all that you have accomplished over the past quarter century, confident that ECDC will remain a force for good in the United States and in Africa for decades to come."