ADDIS ABABA – Deviating from the previous trend of letting national issues to the elites, the National Dialogue has opened a historic chapter in allowing citizens to discuss age-old and contentious matters, the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) said.
ENDC Chief Commissioner Prof. Mesfin Araya made the above remark here yesterday during the launching of the first phase of agenda setting meeting.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Commissioner also emphasized that ensuring the public’s active involvement in national issues is the only way to ensure lasting peace and stability in Ethiopia.
“Previously, citizens did not have much opportunity to consult or decide on national issues, rather it had been left to politicians and elites and the National Dialogue has created a new chapter in enabling people from all walks of life to engage equally and meaningfully through their representatives.”
Emphasizing this phase, which is expected to identify the major issues that will be discussed in the upcoming National Dialogue conference, he indicated that the process would play a key role for the success of the conference.
“Through exerting our responsibilities, we could create a transparent political system, develop a new political culture but more importantly, could bring about sustainable solutions to the longstanding and contentious issues as well as build a strong nation.”
The Chief Commissioner further highlighted that the ENDC gives values to the agendas identified in the consultation phase and reiterated full commitment to include them at the next National Dialogue conference.
Commissioner YonasAdaye (PhD) for his part mentioned that the priority would be given to conducting viable discussion among participants during the seven-day agenda setting session. “Participants will have detailed discussions where they freely express their opinions without the pressure or interference of any entity. It is also noted that this process takes this lion’s share in the forthcoming National Dialogue conference.”
Yonas (PhD) also noted that participants are set to identify major discussion areas and set agendas with their recommendations. Lastly, they will assign five representatives from each segment of the society including youth, women, and elderly, people with disability and businesspersons that will take part in the National Dialogue conference.
Over 2,000 participants drawn from 119 districts and representing different segments of the society are taking part in the agenda setting meeting which is set to be held here from May 29-June 4, 2024.
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 30 MAY 2024
