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Ethio-Europe Reserch and Innovation Link (EERIL) is a non-profit and non-partisan organization dedicated to contributing to socio-cultural, economic, and educational development in Ethiopia. EERIL is legally recognized and physically based in Oslo, the capital of Norway. It is officially established in April 2008 by interested Ethiopians living and studying in Norway, Germany, Belgium, Austria, and the UK .
EERIL is run by an Executive Committee consisting of a Coordinator, a Co-coordinator, an Accountant, an Auditor, and the Heads of the nine Sectors that represent all the disciplines of the natural and the social sciences as well as the humanities. The General Assembly is the top decision-making body. EERIL is established for the following rationales, which have clear economical, social, psychological, and moral ramifications to all stakeholders.
The network and participation logic. Millions of Ethiopians and Ethiopian-origins who live in Europe, North America, and Asia do not have the opportunity to significantly contribute to the development process back home. EERIL will bridge this gap by using modern technologies for service delivery and global collaboration.
The logic of cross-disciplinary applied/action research. EERIL gives a particular and significant attention to the conduct of action/applied research to immediately deal with the 'fevers’ of millions of Ethiopians. Cross and multi-disciplinary studies are critically needed to look at reality from different perspectives, which is not the case in specialized and discipline-specific research efforts.
The logic of paying ‘tribute’. Until very recently, Ethiopia used to offer free education to its citizens from primary education to university training. But many in the Diaspora did not have the opportunity to serve their country back for various reasons. Actively participating in EERIL’s efforts is one way of paying tribute back.
The logic of creating online communities. Due to the tight nature of their living and due to the relatively individualistic nature of European and American life and culture, Ethiopian Diasporas do not have adequate opportunities to meet face-to-face. Several are thus suffering from home sickness and related social lacks. EERIL will be a critical nexus where people meet online and create lasting communities.