Representatives from various civil society organizations are deliberating on the proactive participation of the sector for effective national dialogue. Today's discussion is part of a series of awareness-creation workshops on the issue of National Dialogue.

This comes following the signing of an agreement recently between the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council, the Ethiopian Political Parties Joint Council, and the Ministry of Peace in a bid to support the national dialogue process.

In his opening remark, Executive Director of the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC), Henok Melesse said, "In a bid to support the National Dialogue Process, with particular attention of enhancing CSOs’ understanding around the issue by organizing various awareness creation platforms. We believe that a basic understanding has been created on the importance, timeliness, opportunities and challenges, as well as other basic issues of national dialogue.”

In his remarks, Deputy Chairperson of the Ethiopian Political Parties Joint Council Dr. Abdelkedir Adem underscored “supporting the National Dialogue process is in the best interest of the nation particularly now more than ever where peacebuilding is essential. I call upon all political parties to work in synergy for the common interest.”

ECSOC, together with its members and partners, is implementing an awareness creation campaign to ensure awareness about the national dialogue process in the civil society sector and other public sectors.

Representing the Ministry of Peace, Asma Redi stated: “the collaboration between the three institutes to support the National Dialogue is commendable and should pave the way for similar collaborations in all parts of the society to support the process and to overcome challenges to achieve sustainable peace in the country.”