Thousands of Oromos from around the world will be gathered in the great city of Atlanta, Georgia, from July 24 to august 1, for this year's annual Oromo Convention.  The Convention comprises a series of events including religious, community based organizations, cultural, political conferences as well as soccer tournament between teams from about a dozen cities in the US and Canada.

Some of the organizations that will be present are:

· Union of Oromo Churches.
· Oromo community organizations in North America and Europe.
· Oromo Liberation Front (OLF).
· Gumii Bilisummaa Oromiyaa (Oromiyaa Liberation Council).
· Oromo Study Association (OSA).
· Oromia National Academy (ONA).
· Oromo Support Group (OSG).
· Oromo Youth Association.
· Oromo Sport Federation in North America (OSFNA).
· Oromo Musician Association.
· Some Oromo Media personalities will attend to record the event.

Union of Oromo Church will hold varies events to strengthen the relationship between variorums Oromo churches throughout the world and discuss other matters.

Oromo Community Organizations In North America, umbrella organization will hold conferences and raise issues expected to be instrumental in coordinating community efforts and mobilizing Oromos in the US and Canada to take part in raising the voice of the Oromo people.

The ninth annual soccer tournament of Oromo community teams in North America will hold from July 24 to August 1.  Oromo Sport Federation in North America (OSFNA) is organizing the tournament, more than a dozen teams from Canadian, and US cities are expected to participate.  A source close to OSFNA said preparation is underway to make the event enjoyable and memorable for the teams as well as for their fans.  A number of cultural activities have been planned in addition to the sport events.

The annual conference of Oromo Studies Association (OSA), the two-day (from July 31 to august 1), will bring together Oromo scholars from around the world to discuss a variety of issues relating to the Oromo people as well as other peoples in the Horn of Africa.  Scholars from Somalia, Sidama, Ogadenia, Afar, Eritrea, Europe, and North America are also expected to attend and make presentations. Also, Oromo organization known as Oromia National Academy which promote strengthen Oromo culture and literature will hold various events during this time.

The Oromo Support Group (OSG), Will hold its annual convention and will be present at all Oromo conferences and appeal to all Oromos and remind them again about human right abuse in Oromia in particular and in the region at large.  The Oromo Support Group is one of the Oromo vanguard   organization highly respected by all Oromos will stage various events.

All Oromo political organizations chief among them the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) will hold their annual conferences, and expected to make public presentations on the state of their respective organizations and the Oromo people's struggle for self-determination. In addition, Oromiyaa Liberation Council will hold its General meeting at Georgia State University August 2 and 3, 2004.

Oromo Youth Association will present cultural show and other events related to the Oromo youth.

Various Oromo Artists will be preset to entertain Oromos and to participate on the annual Oromo Musician Association Conference.  Chief Among them are Ali Birra, Ali Shabbo from Australia.

This years events expected to be one of the colorful and biggest Oromo gathering yet in North America.  Oromos and friends of Oromos in particular and all the people of Eastern Africa are encouraged to attend these great events.
 
 
 

Compiled by Naatolii Gada,
Victory to the Oromo people.
July 23, 2004.
Los Angeles, California.