Mr Chris Reveley, Chair of SOPHOS AFRICA UK and Master of the Ceremony (MC), welcomed the guests, introduced the programme and speakers, and opened the event in prayer

HE Ambassador Teferi Melesse, Ambassador of Ethiopia to the UK, made a very fitting opening remark.

Prof David Killingray spoke on the history of Anglo-Ethiopian relations focusing on the contributions of Ethiopians to Britain and that of Britons to Ethiopia. The notable examples he pointed out were Hakim Worqenah (see Peter Garretson, A Victorian Gentleman & Ethiopian Nationalist: the life and times of Hakim Warqenah, Dr Charles Martin, Woodbridge, James Currey, 2012) and the Pankhursts (Sylvia and her son Richard in particular).  

Dr Michael Nazir-Ali spoke on the characteristics of ethnic and religious extremism and how it contributes to societal disharmony, violence and poverty

Dr Desta Heliso introduced the vision and mission of SOPHOS AFRICA and the ideas that underlie the organisation’s strategies and activities.

Mr Alastair Michell-Baker, a member of the SOPHOS AFRICA Advisory Council in Europe, closed the event in prayer.