Ethiopia

About Ethiopian NDF

Although the idea of involving civil society in NBI-related issues has existed for some time, it gained particular momentum in 2002 when the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) showed an interest in supporting the engagement of civil society organizations in the NBI, both at the regional (basin) and national levels. Since then, various efforts have been made to enhance civil society's engagement in the NBI in most of the Nile Basin Countries.

During the NBI consultative workshop held on March 11, 2005 and organized by the Inter Africa Group, an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Christian Relief and Development Association (CRDA), Inter Africa Group (IAG), Sustainable Land Use Forum (SLUF) and Civil Society Campaign Against Famine in Ethiopia (CS-CAFE), was established in order to consider the critical importance of establishing the Ethiopian Nile Basin Dialogue Forum.

The Ad Hoc Committee was mandated to lead the process for the institutionalization of the Ethiopian Nile Basin Dialogue Forum. Since then, the CS-CAFE Steering Committee Chair, Ato Abiy Hailu, has assumed responsibility for chairing the Ad Hoc Committee, and its successor, the EtNBDF Founding Members’ Committee.

A national conference with the objective of creating awareness about the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) and to initiate the establishment of the Ethiopian Nile Basin Dialogue Forum (EtNBDF) was held at Ghion Hotel, Addis Ababa, on 22nd-23rd December 2005.

During the aforementioned Conference, the original four plus seven new Founding Members were nominated and given primary responsibility, including the institutionalization of EtNBDF.

As part of the institutionalization process, staffing of EtNBDF has become a priority concern. Accordingly, a project coordinator, a researcher, and an assistant administrator were recruited.

In order to take the Nile issues to the grassroots level and create a sense of ownership among the National Regional States, EtNBDF has conducted some Regional Consultative Workshops in five National Regional states situated within the Ethiopian portion of the Nile basin, and opened Regional chapters in each of the regions. The workshops were based on the thematic area and stakeholder assessment reports conducted in each region.

Contact Ethiopian NDF

Ayenew Tessera
Ethiopia National Discourse Forum,
Nazareth Road, Kaliu,
CRDA Building,
P.O.Box 34055,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tel: +251 11 4394802
Mob: +251 911 4 78076
Email: etnbdf2005@yahoo.com, ayenewtesera@yahoo.com