Regional Reports - the European External Action Service

forums are not supported by advance discussions amongst the NGOs, and hence the discussion in
the meetings is often focused on performance monitoring.
The growing preparedness of NSA for participation in policy dialogue has to be matched with a
corresponding interest in government to engage in this area. If not, the starts could fail to deliver
what is expected. For example, the Bahir Dar Chamber of Commerce and Sector Associations
have developed an advocacy action plan entitled as Bahir-Dar Business Agenda. On its part the
Regional Office of CETU has a negotiation plan with the over 20 shortly anticipated investors in
the floriculture field over the issue of employee's health safety (agrichemical poisoning). Such
attempts should be encouraged by all stakeholders. During the time of the field work, for
example, the regional chapter of EWLA had a validation workshop on action research findings
about domestic violence against women 16 . This being an important engagement, elaborating
existing legal gaps and also outlining actions needed by the various stakeholders, one expects
active participation of officials and leaders responsible for the protection of women rights.
However, during the first day session of the above workshop some vital institutions were
missing 17 . More capacity building is needed on both sides to maximize gains from policy
dialogue.
On the other hand the BOFED and CRDA have initiated a taskforce (Population, Health and
Environment - PHE Taskforce) for regularizing discussions on these topics. The fact that the
BOFED is involved in the initiation of this taskforce is encouraging. Once more there is a need to
harmonize the initiative with other frameworks.
9. Engagement in Political Dialogue
As in most other regions, NSA participation in political dialogue processes is rather lacking.
Regarding acceptability of such role, Speaker of the Council 18 pointed that the regional
constitution has a unique provision (compared to federal and other regions) that allow and
welcome organized community groups not only to observe, but also to present draft bills for
deliberation by the Council. So far, the regional MBAs get invitations as observers and attend the
Council meetings. But, no one has used the opportunity to voice on issues of relevance to their
constituency.
As a new development, the regional Council has started drafting a guideline for facilitating the
participation of organized community groups in the Councils at the different layers of
administration. If finalized this initiative could be counted as a regional progress in facilitating
CSO participation in governance as pledged in the PASDEP policy matrix.
10. Internal Organisation and Resources
The emergence of more and more membership based associations and clubs is an encouraging
trend. Some are demonstrating the possibility of mobilizing resources from within the community
to respond to local needs. The unionized Iddir in Bahir Dar is typical example. Using the
organizational profile (big membership) others have managed to influence local authorities
positively and thereby access community resources in pursuit of operational objectives. For
example, the legally registered Community Development Committees in Bahir Dar have
facilitated for JeCCDO to access plot of land for implementing environmental health and income
generating activities.
16 Project supported by CSF, through OXFAM/GB
17 It was learned that the Head of the Regional Women Affairs' Bureau, despite the invitation did not showup
or delegate some one to the meeting. Likewise, the Speaker of the Regional Council, a woman, was not
invited to the session.
18 From the discussion with HE Dr Misrak Mekonnen
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