Through a diverse and ancient history, Ethiopia and Ethiopians have maintained the core values that contributed to advanced societies of years past. PRIME MINISTER MELES ZENAWI sees the tradition of freedom as the backbone of the progress that will herald in a bright future for the country to become the pride of Africa.

Mayor of Addis Abeba, BREHANE DERESSA, sees the Millennium as an opportunity for Ethiopia to set goals in order to utilise its vast resources and realise its potential.

Recognizing the grasp the Millennium fervor has on the populace, SEYOUM BEREDED, director of the National Secretariat for the Millennium Celebration, feels it is an opportune moment to channel the spirit towards peaceful coexistence.

While the political scene has remained dangerously fractured, BEYENE PETROS LODAMO (MP, PROFESSOR) sees the way forward towards greater democracy through responsible and open dialogue.

In a quest to push Ethiopia towards modernity the past cannot be forgotten. BULCHA DEMEKSA (MP) looks towards the South African example to incorporate grievances of the past to create a system of representation attuned to the diversity of the country.

Imagining what those who lived in the 10th Century would have wished is perplexing. As such, the difficulties of projecting ahead a full 1,000 years led LIDETU AYALEW (MP) to envision a 100-year path to emerge as the locus of Africa, where he sees a greater role for Ethiopia.

The optimism so prominent at the turn of the Millennium must be rallied towards a bright future of toleration. EYESSUS W. ZAFU desires a fresh start at the year 2000 to reach high for the lofty goals that make life's pursuits worthwhile.

The choice of rhetorical patterns and diction has great bearing on the degree to which communication promotes understanding. SELOME TADESSE hopes to see dialogues of openness that allow Ethiopians to express the ideas that show honesty of conviction.