Conference name, dates, place

2007 International Conference on Ethiopian Development Studies (4th ICEDS) A Multidisciplinary Conference on the Challenges of Peace and Development in Ethiopia & the Horn of Africa, held in Kalamazoo, Michigan (WMU), August 2-4, 2007

Document Type

Paper

Presentation Date

8-2007

Abstract

In Ethiopia, about 50% of the population lives below poverty line. Efforts have been exerted to reverse the situation both by Government and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs); so far however solid results have not been achieved as expected. The question of “what has gone wrong?” has been coiling around in the minds of development practitioners. The international communities point their fingers at poor governance, corruption, internal and regional conflicts for the underdevelopment of the country. It was the outcome of these kinds of questions along with suggestions made that brought about the idea of promoting good governance in developing countries. The government of Ethiopia in its Five-Year Plan, Sustainable Development to End Poverty (PASDEP), accentuated the promotion of improved democratic governance, decentralization and reform of the justice system. It is the urge for good governance that inspired me to analyze the situation at the local level; districts/Woredas in Ethiopia. Therefore, this paper’s aim is to unravel the hidden importance of Governance as an engine of change in improving dire economic situation at the local level. To this end, the paper will assess the role of Local Authorities, Civil Service Organizations (CSOs) in relation with community development.

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