The workshop was organized for the development of the policy brief that aimed to consolidate the voices of civil society organizations and advocate for a favorable tax framework that supports and eases the operation of the CSOs. As the event is organized by considering the
The Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC) & The Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Election - CECOE have inked a Memorandum of Understanding to engage in the observation of the National Dialogue Process.
As per their agreement, the two sides will be working on making information readily available to the general public on the National Dialogue process and outcomes and providing regular feedback to the National Dialogue Commission on the dialogue process and outcomes in addition to observing that the national dialogue process and implementation are carried out in accordance with the relevant principles.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, ECSOC’s Executive Director, Henok Melesse expressed the Council’s commitment to working alongside the Coalition through demonstration of the transparent civil society sector.
Executive Director of the Coalition, Abera Hailemariam for his part underlined that the national dialogue process and implementation observation aims to contribute to the transparency and credibility of the national dialogue process. The two sides have agreed for the overall national dialogue observation to be guided by the principles of objectivity, transparency, accountability, and impartiality.
The Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC) has officially handed over a Policy Brief to the Ethiopian Transitional Justice Working Group of Experts.
The policy brief is prepared based on input collected from civil society organizations regarding the draft Ethiopian transitional justice policy options with financial support from the USAID's Feteh (Justice) Activity in Ethiopia.
285 CSOs from different regions of the country have provided their input during the process.
The policy brief incorporates views on the potential contents of draft Transitional Justice (TJ) Policy options with the Working Group of Experts and provides recommendations for policy plan and implementation. During the handover ceremony, Chair of the Working Group of Experts, Tadesse Kassa (Ph.D.) appreciated the coordinated effort put into mobilizing input from the CSO sector in a first of its kind collaboration and encouraged all stake holders to follow suit.
Program & Development Director at ECSOC, Hana Woldegebrial, for her part stated that the Council is committed to strengthening its support and commended the collaborative efforts and good faith displayed by the Working Group of Experts to ensure successful process. Representing USAID's Feteh (Justice) Activity in Ethiopia, David de Giles appreciated efforts in incorporate the valuable input of the CSO sector in this National process.
Over three hundred civil society organizations, development partners, government bodies and other relevant bodies participated in the two-day conference and forum for collaboration and marketplace between civil society and other sectors.
The forum was held under the theme "Toward a Better Civic Environment Opportunities and Challenges" and to promote participatory and meaningful participation to advise on civic participation policy and implementation, to create a communication platform for the government, development partners, civil society organizations, as well as researchers and in-depth discussion on other related topics. There was discussion and exchange of ideas.
The Council of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations also discussed the development contributions of the Civil Society Support Program at the sectorial level in the panel discussion. In addition, the Council, in cooperation with the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Authority, briefed the members and other parties who visited the marketplace on the two days regarding the Civil Society Organizations Week, which will be celebrated from next Wednesday.
The two-day forum was organized by the Civil Society Organizations Support Program Phase Two.
The House of People's Representatives and the Civil Society Organizations sector have continued to strengthen their efforts to work closely together for the common good of the country. On May 27 the House of People's Representatives, the Authority of Civil Society Organizations, and the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council had an in-depth deliberation on issues that allowed them to work together.
Speaking at the meeting held in Bishoftu town, the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice at the House of Representatives, HE Etsgenet Mengestu, said that civil society organizations have an irreplaceable role in the construction of economic, social issues, justice, and democracy. She added that the approval of the House of People's Representatives and its implementation have made it possible to solve many problems.
Director General of the Authority of Civil Society Organizations, Jima Dilbo Denbel, said, "Unlike political parties and the business sector, civil society organizations played a significant role in the process of mobilizing and organizing society to ensure that citizens' rights were respected without compromising them." The Director General added that CSOs were expected to play a positive role in the success of the inclusive national consultation forum and transitional justice that had been started in our country so that lasting peace and strong institutions could be formed.
The President of the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council, Dr. Nigussu Legesse, said, "Recently, the close cooperation of parliament and civil society organizations has become a key issue for democracy and development, and it greatly contributed to the realization of the prevailing democratic system.
The meeting between the House of Peoples Representatives, the Authority of Civil Society Organizations, and the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council aimed at consulting on ways of close and effective collaboration between the HPR and the CSO sector. The discussion platform also served as a ground for exploring ways in which further developments were strengthened by having deep discussions regarding the relationship and partnership that the House of Representatives should have with the civil society sector.