AN ERITREAN DREAM

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An Eritrean Dream: Our Aspirations, Dreams and Goals for the Future Eritrea will be a book of essays featuring a collection of Eritrean dreams from around the world from 200 youth under the age of 45. Their dreams, hopes and aspirations for Eritrea will be highlighted in this book. 

Almost 35 years since independence, Eritrea is controlled by the only ruling party in the country - People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). There are only government-controlled media, and since many youths cannot achieve their dreams inside Eritrea – they have fled the country in droves for the past two and half decades.

Yet, the youth yearn for a new Eritrea from inside the country and the diaspora. In the hope of achieving an Eritrea that is rooted in respecting Human Rights, Rule of Law and Democracy for its people, Eritreans will share their dreams for the future Eritrea that they want to build, live and enjoy.

I invite you as an Eritrean to share a maximum 350 words, your short bio (where and when you were born, your education, where you live now, what you are  doing, any achievements) followed by sharing the kind of Eritrea that you want to see (your dreams) and a pledge that you will do for Eritrea. Everyone who will participate in this campaign will also have to share a picture of themselves (not necessarily professional but has to be an individual photo) to be published in the book.

The reason for “AN ERITREAN DREAM” project is, even in the face of adversity, to show that we have the love for Eritrea and we have the right to dream for the country we want to build. To own that Isaias Afewerki did not became a dictator just by himself, but we also allowed it and enabled him. To take the responsibility to change the course of Eritrea knowing that even if Isaias Afewerki is gone, there will remain a systemic oppresssion in place that needs to be revamped. To ask real and hard questions and have an alternative in place before time runs out. 

For the last 25 years, since the regime has immersed the country into dictatorship, we have heard Isaias Afewerki’s interview each year that has not changed, that never addressed domestic issues with a solution, but rather questioning his own actions without any tangible answer/s and not taking responsibilities for the failure of his administration. We recognize this is not the leadership Eritrea needs and the baton has never been passed to the new generation. 

We hope that this book will mark a historical moment when one day in the future we can look back and tell ourselves we did not keep silent. Knowing that history will judge us, we have the responsibility to define the history our future generation will read. 

AN ERITREAN DREAM is expected to be published in Tigrinya, Arabic and English in May 2026 ahead of Eritrea’s 35th Independence Day.  

If you want your story to appear in the book, please provide your Bio, dreams and pledge (maximum 350 words) for Eritrea, and a photo at this Google form link.