Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council – ECSOC - Media tour media outlets to strengthen CSOs Sector

About the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC)

The Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC) is an independent apex body legally representing the civil society sector, which consists of organizations, consortia, associations, forums, and networks. ECSOC was established on December 31, 2020, by the 300 General Assembly members that consisted of CSO representatives and are the founders of the Council.

The Council was formed as per Article 85 of the Civil Society Organizations’ Proclamation 1113/2019, which stipulates that the establishment of a Council shall be governed by the full participation of “all” CSOs in Ethiopia and, further, that the Council shall “represent and coordinate the civil society sector”. This implies that ECSOC represents all CSOs in Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC) has called on Media outlets to strengthen their efforts into ensuring a deep understanding of the Civil Societies Organizations (CSOs) Sector.

Executive Director of ECSOC, Henok Melesse, made the call during an ongoing media tour in Eastern Ethiopia. The Executive Director said: “There are instances where the objectives of the media and civil society sector align so identifying these areas and working collaboratively for the greater good is expected of the two sectors.”

The visiting group also observed CSOs' work in the Somali Region in Jigjiga and its surroundings on the final day of the Media Tour.

“The works being done by the local and foreign CSOs are being undertaken to bring solutions to the challenges faced in society. As part of society, it is important for the media to work with the CSO sector with a sense of ownership. I call on the media to further develop the relationship forged during this tour and capture the true essence of the CSO sector to inform all sections of the nation of the works, challenges, and achievements of CSOs,” added Henok.

Director General of the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) Jima Dilbo for his part stated: “The authority will be working tirelessly to make sure that media and CSO engagement is sustainable and effective. We plan to build up on our experience from this media tour and create an effective collaborative platform between the two sectors.”

Members of the media partaking in the 5-day long media tour for their part have commended the initiative to organize the tour and have appreciated the awareness created during the trip which enabled them to witness what is being done by CSOs on the ground.

They have recommended that further cementing relations between the two sectors through partnership, providing CSOs content to the media, and hosting regular briefings among other mechanisms should be applied for a better understanding of the sector.

The media tour is organized through a collaboration between ECSOC and ACSO and through the financial support of the Civil Society Support Programme – 2 (CSSP-2)