Florian & Wolfgang Ischinger Scholarship awarded to Mr. Melash Zeleke for Fall 2018
The Geneva School of Diplomacy has awarded the ‘Florian & Wolfgang Ischinger’ scholarship to Mr. Melash Zeleke, a Law student from Ethiopia who, due to political circumstances, could not continue his studies in his home country. The Ischinger scholarship will enable him to continue his studies in International Relations, enhance his educational background in diplomacy, which will contribute to his ambition and path to becoming a Professor in International Relations.
Melash Zeleke comes from a family of farmers who did not go to school. He taught himself and his brothers and sisters at home and worked his way up to become the first in his family to graduate in Law. His biggest wish is to continue his studies and become a Professor in International Relations, but due to several political issues he faced, he was declined this chance back home in Ethiopia. Mr. Zeleke, next to a degree in law, has many years of experience working in the field of international affairs. He hosted a radio show to create awareness on international affairs and he has done lots of research; providing data on different issues, such as how human rights are violated by governments, in life and in the work force. In his case this affects him directly, as he has become blind since the age of six.
This ‘disability’ did however not stop him from following his dreams. He has always been determined to work hard and to never stop learning about the world around us. The Ischinger scholarship at GSD will help him in continuing to follow his dreams and we are happy to welcome him to our community.
Mr. Zeleke has the following words to share regarding the scholarship:
”Dear Geneva School of Diplomacy,
Thank you so much for awarding me the ‘Florian & Wolfgang Ischinger’ scholarship and for giving me this opportunity. I can’t find the words to express my happiness, satisfaction and please believe me when I say that this scholarship opportunity is worth more to me than a gift of a billion dollars. As the saying goes: ”You give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. You teach him how to fish and you give him an occupation that will feed him for a lifetime”.
I believe when money is given to someone, after some months or years, that money will finish and again they will need more money to help. But, with your help and this scholarship I will be able to ‘create’ money throughout my life and be independent in my future life. So, the value of this scholarship isn’t simply expressed in words and for me, it gave all things including helping me to see in my mind, since I can’t actually see with my eyes. Because, for me in the world the most respected and speculated gift is empowering somebody and enabling that person to be self-reliant at all circumstances.
As you know, education is one of the best instruments which facilitates or makes life easy and simple. Specially for me in my blindness, the importance and value of education is worth more than other things and to tell you frankly, you have changed my life positively to be self reliant, with a bright and hopeful future. So, I thank you again very much for your respected scholarship and can’t wait to be part of the GSD community!’
