Ethiopians and Ethiopian- Americans domiciling in and around the Washington Metro Area have pledged to play their role in realizing Ethiopia’s Growth and Transformation Plan /GTP/,in a spirited two-day confab they held at the Howard University on April 9, 2011 and at the Ethiopian Embassy on Sunday  April 10, 2011. During the two-day session Minister of Education Ato Demeke Mekonen made a power point presentation revealing what the GTP is all about, objectives of the plan and the pillar strategies of the GTP. Furthermore; he elaborated on some of the gigantic infrastructure projects and manufacturing plants envisaged to be implemented in the forthcoming five- year plan period. In his opening remark he underlined that the GTP is a comprehensive plan that is designed to transform Ethiopia into a prosperous and middle income country and the successful completion of the plan would benefit each and every Ethiopian of all walks of life