Mohammed Dini, Portland Maine Mayor Michael Brennan, and Hamza Haadoow.
Monday, February 18, 2013
A Somali-American delegation from the United States is leaving this week to meet with government officials in Somalia. Mohammed Dini, founder of the African Diaspora Institute and former candidate for Maine state legislature, will be accompanied by a half dozen Somali-Americans from across the United States including Hamza Haadoow. Haadoow is a businessman and assistant sustainability manager at Goodwill Industries of Northern New England. Haadoow also ran for mayor of Portland, Maine in 2011.
The delegates will be meeting one on one with members of the newly formed Somali government as the country transitions into a period of growth and stability. In meeting with parliament members, Dini and Haadoow will be advising on the democratic process and government transparency while voicing concerns of the Somali diaspora to the elected officials.
Dini and Haadoow will also be surveying several cities in Somalia in order to report back their findings on livability, stability, and infrastructure improvements to the American-based Somali diaspora. As the majority of Somali-Americans have family ties to their home country, this period of transition is of critical interest.
Mayor Michael Brennan of Portland Maine, extended his support to the Somali-American delegate to Somalia. Congresswoman Chellie Pingreeman and Congressman Mike Michaud of State of Maine joined a bipartisan gathering of members of Congress to welcomed Somalia President Hassan Sheik Mohamud to the United States Capitol Jan 15, 2013.
“The Somalia population is an important part of our community and I’m glad that a delegation from Maine is taking the opportunity to lead the Somali-American delegation going to Somalia to talk about the values we all share. I look forward to hearing about their trip and the discussions they have with government officials and private citizens while in Somalia.” Says Willy Ritch the Senior Advisor & Communications Director of Congresswoman Chellie Pingree.
Finally, the delegation will be organizing and promoting Generation Change, a leadership summit taking place next month in Mogadishu, Somalia.
The summit aims to bring together successful and motivated young Somali leaders to amplify their ability to create positive change in their country. Aimed at young leaders based Mogadishu and the surrounding regions, participants will engage in dialogue and hands-on enterprise development workshops to envision future social enterprises within southern and northern Somalia.
“I’m looking forward to learning of ways that Somali-Americans can play an integral role in rebuilding a positive future in Somalia,” says Dini. “Our role here is to assist with innovative development practices throughout all regions of Somalia and to inform Somalis in the diaspora how they can support peace and stability back home.”
Hamza Haadoow emphasized the need for contributing stability and security to Somalia. “It is the interest of both American and Somali people to see peace and prosperous Somalia.”Haadoow states “This visit will enhance the relationship between the two countries “.
Source: Portland Forward