Native of Addis Ababa, Citizen of the World

Born and raised in Addis Ababa during one of Ethiopia’s most turbulent eras, Amare Tegbaru Beyene came of age amid revolution, political idealism, and profound national upheaval. As a young activist, he embraced the dream of building a more just society-only to face imprisonment, persecution, and years of hardship during the Derg regime.Rather than allowing those experiences to define him, he transformed adversity into purpose. Rebuilding his life through education and scholarship, he embarked on an international career that took him from the villages of Northeast Thailand and the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan to post-conflict Liberia and research institutions across Africa. Along the way, he worked with farmers, scientists, policymakers, and local communities, contributing to sustainable development while carrying Ethiopia’s history and lessons wherever he went.Rich in historical insight and personal reflection, this memoir is more than the story of one individual. It is a meditation on identity, reconciliation, resilience, and the enduring search for meaning across cultures and continents. It invites readers to reflect on the relationship between homeland and humanity, showing how a life rooted in one city can ultimately become a life lived in service to the world.Both deeply personal and historically significant, Native of Addis Ababa, Citizen of the World will appeal to readers interested in African history, political memoirs, exile literature, anthropology, and international development.