Addis Ababa: The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission has initiated a nationwide agenda setting consultative chapter in Addis Ababa with the gathering of representatives from all stakeholder groups.

The nationwide agenda setting consultative chapter kickoff in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum.

Representatives of the community, political parties, the legislative, executive, and judiciary as well as institutions and associations, influential persons were also in attendance.

Addressing the inaugural session, Chief Commissioner Mesfin Araya welcomed the attendees to the inclusive and participatory preparatory phase marking the entry into the dialogue process and agenda setting consolidation stage.

The chief commissioner reflected on the commission’s journey since its establishment by overcoming numerous challenges while steadfastly working towards the long-awaited goal of rapprochement and consensus.

He further stated that the commission has thus far facilitated
the selection of representatives for the agenda setting consultative chapter in over 1,000 districts across ten regions and 2 city administrations and commenced the process has in Addis Ababa City Administration.

Mesfin revealed that similar agenda setting consultations would follow in all regions and the Dire Dawa City Administration where participant selections have taken place.

Participants identification and selection are ongoing in the Amhara and Tigray regions.

The chief commissioner expressed his belief that the contemporary youth will leave behind a better legacy of peace and development by learning from the mistakes of the previous generations.

Moreover, he humbly appealed to the youth to transform the agenda setting platform from a grievance-venting space into an ideation and solution-generating forum, enabling a transition from a culture of conflict to a peaceful life.

The chief commissioner stated that the commission is striving to keep the door of dialogue open for all parties, regardless of
location, and find national solutions to the country’s challenges.

Any Ethiopian can submit their agenda to the commission individually or collectively during this agenda setting process, he emphasized, affirming the inclusiveness, transparency, and credibility of the process.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency