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Joined in recent months by over 100 young members in the Middle East and North America, EPDP grassroots everywhere are heating up their day-to-day regional and local activities and party renewal tasks, all focused on more effective role in the struggle for democratic change in Eritrea. Following the first ever historic meeting on 27 April of the recently formed EPDP Zone in Israel, other party grassroots also held constructive meetings in North America and Europe. The Preparatory Committee for Eritrea Festival 2018 has also been on the move at full gear.

EPDP NA Membership Meeting

On 6 May 2018, the EPDP North America Zone held a total-membership meeting mainly for a briefing on the recent successful party mission to Israel that lasted between 31 March and 16 April 2018. Mr. Tuku Tesfai, EPDP Central Council member who led the two-person delegation, recounted in great detail the contacts the delegation made with Eritreans and humanitarian service actors supporting refugees in Israel. In the meantime, he said the delegation collected over 75 duly filled membership forms from young Eritreans in Israel who are determined to struggle for democratic change as EPDP members.

The EPDP NA Zone meeting warmly congratulated and commended the delegation members for their successful mission and called upon the party leadership to organize similar delegations to other places where Eritreans are present. (These may include places in Africa like Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, South Africa and others). In a historic move, the NA Zone meeting also initiated an additional fund-drive for the party in honor of CC members Tuku Tesfai and Feven Gideon so that similar future party missions could be launched on time.

EPDP Oakland-San Jose Members Meet

On 5 May, EPDP members in Oakland and San Jose, California, held a meeting to review developments in their region and the entire North America Zone. The meeting was pleasantly surprised by the new wave of mobilization within the party and voiced their full satisfaction with the outcome of the recent party mission to Israel as well as the activities of new EPDP members in different parts of Canada, and the return to party ranks of former freedom fighters in several regions in North America.

2nd Sweden Branch in Action

Also on 5 May 2018, the second EPDP Branch for Southern Sweden held its fifth regular meeting electronically and discussed different agenda items related to internal branch and party matters as well as developments affecting the ongoing struggle for democratic change. The branch leadership to time to explain the situation of each branch member and what he/she is able to contribute in branch activities. Also explained were joint projects with sister associations like the 'Eritrea in Our Hearts' group and the local authorities. Eritrean refugees in the Gothenburg region are granted different free services and also recently got a new meeting place.

Festival 2018 Preparations Are Underway

On First of May, the 9-person Preparatory Committee of Eritrea Festival 2018 held its second regular meeting since its formation this year. The meeting was headed by Mr. Tesfamariam Kibreab, who is the chairman of the Eritrean Democratic Association (EDA), a non-profit association that organizes the annual politico-cultural Eritrea Festival in the German city of Frankfurt. The meeting allotted responsibilities to each Committee member and listed Committee's expectations from the EPDP Europe Zone and its branches who are co-organizers of the annual event.

A press release of the meeting confirmed that Eritrea Festival 2018 will be held between 3 and 5 August this year at the usual place in Frankfurt (Die Studierendenschaft der Johann Wolfgang Goethe – Universität, Mertonstr. 26 – 28, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main).