Ethiopian Development Studies AssociationA Multidisciplinary Conference on

the Challenges & Opportunities for Sustainable Development in Ethiopia

& the Greater Horn of AfricaNovember 12-14, 2009

Adama University, Adama, EthiopiaAba Geda Hall, Adama City, Oromia State, Ethiopia

SELECTED ABSTRACTS OF C0NTRIBUTED PAPERS(October 28, 2009)

1

Climate change impacts and responses in the Southern lowlands of EthiopiaAlebachew Adem & Aklilu Amsalu, Forum for Social Sciences & Department of Geography, Addis Ababa University

ABSTRACT: Climate change is rapidly emerging as one of the most serious threats that humanity may ever face. Although no country is immune from climate change, poor countries which contributed least to the problem are the most vulnerable and least adaptive to its impacts. In Ethiopia, global climate change poses particular risks to poor farmers and pastoralists who have an immediate daily dependence on climate sensitive livelihoods and natural resources. The limited economic, institutional and logistical capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change exacerbates the vulnerability of millions of farmers and herders to climate change-induced hazards. The impacts range from recurrent drought and loss of biodiversity, rangelands and soil nutrients, to catastrophic floods and declining livestock and food production. Some of the challenges of this environmental change such as local and regional food insecurity and hunger are still high on the agenda of Ethiopia’s development goals. Despite the vulnerability of Ethiopia to the impacts of global climate change and weather extremes, and the recognition of this by the Ethiopian government, research-generated knowledge on regional and local impacts of climate change, locally available adaptation and mitigation measures and other community responses are seriously inadequate. Although an enormous amount of resource, time, and energy have gone into reactive disaster response measures, poverty reducing and agricultural production boosting strategies, poverty, food insecurity, and catastrophic environmental hazards such as droughts, floods, diseases and pests remained the major threats to the overwhelming majority of the country’s populations and regions. Very little attention has still been given to empirically analyze the root causes of the complex and multifaceted developmental challenges of the country posed by the threat of climate change. In the absence of such empirical research generated knowledge, however, attempts to improve the quality of poor households and bring about development through attaining food self-sufficiency would be unrealistic especially in the hazard-prone areas of the country. This paper is tries to identify major climate change induced hazards, impacts and local level responses in the southern lowlands of Ethiopia and provide inputs for “climate proof” development interventions and policy formulation.

Linking Urban Planning with Ecologically Sensitive areas in Kamwenge town, Uganda: Lessons for the Greater Horn of AfricaJuliet Akola, Tendayi Gondo. Dafuleya Gift, Zibagwe Scelo, Ethiopian Civil Service College, Addis Ababa

ABSTRACT: The unrestricted growth and development of many cities around the world has habitually posed a threat to ecologically sensitive areas in many countries. Effective management of such fragile areas in urban centers has to begin with sound environmental plans. The paper discusses the latent function of urban planning in managing the urban environment of Kamwenge town in western Uganda. An exploratory case study approach was employed in which questionnaires and interviews with key informants were used to generate empirical data. Results reveal that Kamwenge’s ecologically sensitive areas including wetlands, forests and hilltops are under threat. There is an unprecedented encroachment of human activities into ecologically sensitive areas, owing to lack of development control enforcement. The result has been a complex amalgam of

2

human induced environmental challenges such as pollution, deforestation and wetland destruction. Achieving sustainability in fragile ecosystems has been hampered by such limitations as limited financial resources by the town council, including a weak institutional capacity to manage and protect such environments. Where land use plans exist, proper implementation has often been difficult. There also exist a number of urban planning tools, which however have not been synchronized into the management of environmentally sensitive areas. The current institutional setup for the management of fragile areas points to the dichotomy that exists between environmental management agencies and urban planning. We have proposed an integrated approach towards solving encroachment related complexities so as to attain sustainable management of fragile environments for the greater horn of Africa.

Exploring the Challenges and Prospects of Transforming Higher Education Institutions in Ethiopia Elizabeth Ayalew, Addis Ababa University and Sisay Asefa Western Michigan University

ABSTRACT: The African Public University has declined from its glory days of its inception in 1950s and 1960s for various reasons. The changes observed in the international Higher Education landscape along with many other social and economic factors in general have contributed to this decline in status. This calls for reform in local Higher Education Institutions to overcome the challenges and improve academic quality. One of the alternatives of such a potential transformation in Higher Education that this paper proposes is through academic linkages and constructive engagements with international academic communities. It recommends that such an engagement be driven by the intellectual Diaspora in the international arena. With the general objective of stimulating reflection on several major issues related to changes and the subsequent challenges in HE, this paper examines the developments that the Ethiopian Higher Education system has undergone in light of the global demands that continue to impose changes on the system. It discusses internationalization of Higher Education as a means of coping with these changes and suggests particular actions that can be employed to engage the Diaspora and promote internationalization within Higher Education Institutions in Ethiopia.

Preference To Forms Of Land Conservation Investments: The Role Of Poverty, Land Tenure Security, And Market Incentives: An Example From The Highlands of Amhara Region, Ethiopia Genanew Bekele,Genanew Bekele & Fredrich Schneider, University of Dubai & University of Linz, Austria

ABSTRACT: Building its framework from the random utility model, this article used the multinomial logistic model to examine the factors leading to differences in the farm-household’s preference among the various forms of land conservation investment measures. Using the recent (third round,(2004/2005) rural household survey (of 4,795 household-plot level observations) on the farm-household behavior regarding sustainable land conservation use in the Ethiopian highlands of East Gojam and South Wello zones of the Amhara region, this article demonstrates the inappropriateness of pooling the different forms of land conservation investments in preference studies. The empirical result suggests that poverty seams to drive farm-households towards short-term land conservation measures (such as grass covers,

3

contour farming and forestation) that are less expensive (in terms of time, labor and money) and less skill entailing than long-term land conservation measures (such as rock or soil terracing, ditch digging and ’kitir’ works). While land tenure security has mixed effect on farm-household’s preference, their access to market in general seems not to matter for the household’s decision as to which form of land conservation investment to prefer. Moreover, farm-households also consider the characteristics of the plot when deciding which land conservation investment to prefer for its particular plot, and their preference various across villages. All in all, this article exhibited that farm-household’s preference as to which form of land conservation investment to undertake on its particular plot is a complex choice decision. And the majorChanges in land conservation investments will require attention to many factors as no single factor is controlling enough to be used single-handedly as a major policy leverage instrument.

Food Aid and Adult Nutrition in Rural EthiopiaNzinga H. Broussard Robert Day School of Economics and Finance, Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, California, USA

ABSTRACT: Understanding the role that safety nets play in adult nutrition is an important contribution to understanding the dynamics of poverty in developing countries. In this paper, I use panel data from rural Ethiopia on individual nutritional status to test whether there is an effect of public transfers on nutritional levels for adults. I run individual fixed effects regressions of nutritional status, measured by adult body mass index, on aid receipts. Results show that among adult household members, male adult members are the primary beneficiaries of food aid. Results also show that it is the male recipients who tend to invest aid receipts in adult household members. For low-asset households, male and female recipients tend to invest aid receipts in male household members. These results are consistent with a theory in which additional resources are allocated to members of the household whose market returns are higher or engage in activities that expend higher levels of energy.

Ethiopia and the Greater Horn of Africa: Human Security Strategic Trajectories for Achieving Middle Income Status in 2020BT Costantinos, Faculty of Business and Economics, Addis Ababa University

ABSTRACT: Issues: From Darfur to the jungles of the River Zaire, from the Eritrean plateau to South Sudan, from trouble Somalia to the genocidal communities of Rwanda and Burundi, from the violent cities and borders of Kenya to Northern Uganda; new faces and forces of vulnerability and poverty haunt the Greater Horn of Africa sub-region. Conflicts, corruption, disasters, poverty, and pandemics now threaten the sub-region with a calamity unforeseen even during the Great African Famine of the 1980s, so much so that the G8 has made this a basket case for international action. The world is united in its belief that famine is preventable in the 21" century. Famine, food insecurity, and malnutrition, where more than 20 million people remain threatened, have many complex causes, and defeating them will require a global partnership with the private sector. The research primarily depended on empirical research and secondary findings.

4

Conclusion: After the G20 meeting in the UK, the IMF response to the current crisis and recent food/fuel shocks been has not been effective, because the IMF has not reacted in a timely manner with its heavy bureaucratic juggernaut in addressing in an effective and timely manner the challenges facing LICs in program design, review and available finance financing. In a similar manner, the WB’s response to the current crisis and food/fuel shocks has been ineffective, due to the lack of direction on how to deal with the crises more flexibly as their existing instruments are designed to react and not to respond in a flexible and timely manner provided appropriate in its support to LICs, let alone protecting the most vulnerable. Breaking the Cycle of Famine in the Greater Horn of Africa requires a viable human security and human development framework. Human security, a post-Cold War concept, is a multi-disciplinary understanding of security involving a number of research fields, which equates security with people’s wellness; ensuring freedom from want, freedom from fear and addressing national and the global concerns of human security through a new paradigm of SHD, capturing the potential peace dividend, a new form of development co-operation and a restructured system of global institutions; with the scope of global security expanded to include threats in economic, food, health, environmental, personal and community securities. This entails supporting peace and security strategies, education and training, land use planning and land reform, rural infrastructure development and working in a coordinated fashion to develop agricultural markets. It also entails facilitation of regional economic integration, improving emergency assessment and response systems, raising agricultural productivity in food insecure countries and promoting rural development, boosting agricultural productivity and rural development through the private sector focusing on institutional capacity.

Leveraging Diasporas’ Remittances through Microfinance Institutions for Effective Ethiopian Development FinanceGift Dafuleya, Ethiopian Civil Service College, Addis Ababa

ABSTRACT: Remittances received from the Ethiopian Diaspora have been on an upward trend for the past decade and have shown resilience towards the current financial crises that has slowed down the global economy. Reviewing empirical literature show the importance of remittances in enabling investment in education, health and entrepreneurship, causing currency appreciation, counter cycling economic depressions and reducing poverty. The remittance figures, however, exclude informal remittances, which reduce reliability of Balance of Payment statistics, indirectly lessen the impact of monetary policies and directly influence exchange rates in the underground market. Official data shows that the impact of remittance flows on the Ethiopian economy is statistically insignificant. However, given that over the last four years remittances have been increasing at a pace different from the previous, leveraging of both formal and informal remittances need to be an important financial development goal. I show that Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) are better placed to bring about this development because of their proximity to remittance-receiving families, ability to easily integrate both the formal and the informal sectors and deal with small transaction where personal relations matter. Policy should operate both by removing restriction on financial products that can be available for MFIs and by availing access of MFIs to the clearing and settlement system to improve competition and reduce remittance costs. Keywords: Diaspora, remittances, microfinance institutions, development finance

5

Analysis of Behavior of Private Investment in Response to Fiscal Policy Changes in SSA Fikru Debele, Department of Economics Arba Minch University, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT: Despite the belief that fiscal policy measures can influence both economic growth and private investment attempts like the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) and Poverty Reduction Strategic Papers (PRSP) have not brought that much promising results in Sub‐ Saharan Africa(SSA). If so, Can policy makers help enhance the performance of private investment in the region through fiscal policy changes? In an attempt to answer this question, annual panel data for the period 1986 2003 for twenty-three countries in the region was‐ employed.

The data set depicted the persistence of heterogeneity among the countries. The fixed effects model was applied based on specification tests. The regression output indicated that private investment is positively responsive to previous period fiscal policy measures, per capita GDP and its growth rate. However, current period fiscal policy measures, domestic credit to the private sector, real exchange rate, inflation, and the size of government control in the exchange rate market appeared insignificant in affecting private investment in the region. Debt servicing significantly and negatively encouraged private investment, while debt stock was not found doing so. The conclusion is that previous period policy measures are more influential in promoting private investment in SSA. Besides, high debt servicing reduces resource availability for domestic investment immediately than huge external debt stock, whose repayment may be cancelled, at least based on conditions, as observed in HIPCs case.

Actual and potential role of stories and storytelling among marginalized occupational minorities in Southern EthiopiaFederica De Sisto, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Ireland.

ABSTRACT: Throughout Ethiopia there are minority groups of craft workers and hunters that are excluded from the mainstream society. Pottery is fundamental for carrying water and making food, hoes and iron plough shares are essential for agriculture; cotton cloth is indispensable for clothing; leather products are used for transporting grain or storing. And yet, the specialized workers who produce these items have such a low status that many of them are still considered to be “not human” by their surrounding majorities. The phenomenon of marginalised occupational minorities is so widespread in the country that Levine described it as a “pan-Ethiopian cultural trait”. This paper aims at exploring the role of culture in perpetrating the discrimination against occupational minorities and its potential to lessen it in the societies in which they live.

6

7Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Economic and Social Impact of Environmental Policies in Ethiopia Robert Dibie, Indiana University-Kokomo, Indiana, USA

ABSTRACT: This paper examines and analyses the economic and social impact of environmental policies in Ethiopia. The paper explores the current dynamics of urbanization and its effect on citizens’ daily life. It also examines the complexity of the environmental management processes and the implementation of conventional and nonconventional policies in Ethiopia. It argues that increased diversity and partnership with environmental stakeholders could contribute to positive economic and social impact of environmental policies in Ethiopia. It evaluated how nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) programs have helped to prevent environmental degradation in the rural areas of Ethiopia. The analysis of environmental policies and population growth control programs in Ethiopia reveals that they have not been effective. The concluding section of the paper recommends some policies that could help alleviate poverty, environmental protection awareness as well as engage citizens in appropriate contribution to solving the nation’s sustainable development problems. It contends that the choice of community base approach and related options could help to positively improve the social impact of environmental policy in Ethiopia.

The potential of biodiversity for the sustainable development of EthiopiaKassahun Embaye. Institute of Biodiversity Conservation, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

7

ABSTRACT: The variety and variability of organisms in a given area and the web of complex interactions within them and their surroundings is biodiversity. The assemblage of various organisms in a given land feature and their interactions within them and their environment form a distinct biological system called ecosystem. Each of the organisms within an ecosystem and each of the various ecosystems have enumerable potentials for socio-economic growth and development. Ethiopia is one of the twelve food crop diversity rich countries in the world. About ten percent of the Ethiopian biodiversity is estimated to be endemic, found only in Ethiopia. However, only a very small portion of this richness of organisms and ecosystems are known at various levels. A dismal proportion of these known types are partially but never fully characterized to gene level. Thus a tiny portion of the potential of these species is so far ascertained. Only an exceedingly small proportion of these ascertained potentials are being realized for socio-economic growth and development, mostly at subsistence level. Thus the prospect for Ethiopia’s socio-economic growth and development through effective and efficient use of this latent resource is enormous. To sustain is to maintain in perpetuity in its present state of dynamism or steady state. Thus, sustainability literally gives the impression of everlasting. However nothing on this dynamic earth is truly everlasting. Development (socio-economic) means progression, advancement, improvement, betterment and these are not naturally unending. It is practically impossible to take them further and beyond their maximum potential, which is determined by various factors and their interactions, without jeopardizing sustainability.

Sustainability limit of natural resources is actually one of the primary factors that determine the optimum sustainable socio-economic development potential, as the resource available for sustainable use without disturbing the delicate balances within the natural resources and their environment has to be limited below the threshold level of any particular ecosystem. However, the range of uses of biodiversity and ecosystems could expand almost indefinitely with the ever-growing knowledge of the genetic materials and their potential use through unending advancement of science and technology. Perpetual increase in human knowledge and skill in biodiversity conservation at all levels and scales also improves the content and sustainability of biological systems. In this context biodiversity and sustainable development are mutually linked. The actual and potential contribution of biodiversity to the socio-economic development of Ethiopia and its environment is described. The need to sustain the biological resource base itself in order to enable it to effectively propel sustainable development is emphasized. Biodiversity conservation, sustainable utilization and access and benefit sharing efforts being made by the Institute of Biodiversity Conservation are highlighted as essential prerequisites for sustainable development. Achievement and maintenance of perpetual harmony between economic prosperity and biodiversity resource base wellbeing is recommended as a precondition for the sustainable development of Ethiopia.

Space Technology for DevelopmentBirhanu Fufa, Chen Zhao-Bo, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China

ABSTRACT: New and emerging technologies, like space technology, are rapidly expanding, and will greatly enhance the productive capabilities and wealth of those countries and entities that are making judicious and appropriate investments in them. These technologies will govern future human interactions worldwide and dominate global economic activities in the 21st

century. Space technology has brought unprecedented benefits to humankind, although more 8

for developed than developing countries. This paper outlines the role of space technology for developing countries, the challenges for implementation and the fundamental steps to be followed to ensure that this technology will be a catalyst for the expected development.

Gender Audit of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development of EthiopiaMendida Gemechisa, Adama University

ABSTRACT: The main objective of the Gender audit at MoFED was to promote organizational learning at the individual, work unit and office level. The results of the audit are believed to enable MoFED to effectively implement gender mainstreaming in polices, programs and structure of the Organization. The study aimed at identifying MoFED’s plans at program and organizational levels and actions in relation to its Gender responsiveness. In order to accomplish this goal, out of the total number of 726 (386 female) MoFED staffs, 95 (14 female) MoFED staffs were taken as a sample population representing all staffs from all levels. In addition, relevant documents were assessed. Interview questions were also employed to gather information that was not obtained through the questionnaire. And results from the questionnaire, document review and interview questions were triangulated to make analysis and to forward recommendations. Further, at the end of the first draft of the research a workshop was given to some of the staffs in which they gave reflections, which modified recommendations. Results show that Gender responsiveness of MoFED’s structure and Decision-making process lacks support by Gender policy, which staffs confuse with. This shows that MoFED needs to produce Gender policy. which allows the organization to design Monitoring and Evaluation system to achieve policy objectives. However, there have not been gender-mainstreaming guidelines, which arise from the national policy. Gender responsiveness of MoFED organizational culture shows that male and female staffs perceive gender issues differently. Generally, job stereotypes are found to spread widely. However, results show Gender equity fits in to the image of MoFED. The women Affairs Department has been working on building desired organizational culture that is women friendly. The human resource management policy and practice show that more men are qualified than women, with better qualification as most of the women staffs do have inferior educational qualifications for various reasons. Results also show that Gender sensitiveness of MoFED program/projects is evident. MoFED's technical support for Gender mainstreaming is found to influence staff’s perception towards Gender issues positively since a few years now.

The Impact of Contested Governance on the Development of South SudanElke Grawert, Institute for Intercultural and International Studies, University of Bremen, Germany

ABSTRACT: Starting from a discussion of the development programmes for South Sudan of the regional Government of South Sudan (GOSS) and the international aid agencies, this paper looks into the roles of the two parties in the governance of the services and development-related sectors in South Sudan. A historical review reveals the changes in the relationship between aid agencies and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement / Army (SPLM/A) in the liberated areas, on the one hand, and between the agencies and the GOSS after the civil war, on the other. Two sectors, the policy of repatriation of internally displaced persons and refugees and the water policy, are taken as examples to show that governance of development in South Sudan is contested between the GOSS and UN agencies as well as between the

9

regional and state governments. The analysis leads to doubts about the sustainability of development in South Sudan. Some general conclusions about the roles of government components and international agencies in the development of post-conflict societies will be drawn.

Reconciling vocational education and training (VET) with micro-enterprising in Ethiopian cities: A ‘CUT’ perspective on the impacts, challenges and transformative possibilitiesTendayi Gondo Scelo Zibagwe, Gift Dafuleya, Raymond Makhanda, Ethiopian Civil Service College, Addis Ababa.

ABSTRACT: Micro and Small Enterprise (MSEs) development has in recent years gained attention in development discourse as a priority area crucial for stimulating growth both in the developed and the developing world. In Ethiopia, the micro and small enterprises sector in general remained neglected for a long period until a shift was made to a market led economic system (Post 1991). As enshrined in the PASDEP and the TVET strategy document, SMEs have been defined as one of the key economic engines for eradicating chronic poverty. Central to the promotion of SMEs, has been the development and the expansion of vocational education and training centers throughout Ethiopia. The central question however, is to what extent has this move made a difference in both SME development and poverty alleviation. This paper attempts to appraise the extent to which vocational education and training efforts has promoted SME development. It draws on empirical evidence gathered on a sample of nine Ethiopian cities. In this analysis, a Comparative Studies Framework was employed to compare and contrast emerging issues. The analysis of issues was achieved through the ‘Capacity, Usage and Transformation’ CUT framework. The analysis utilized the concept of meta analysis to combine the results of several studies that sought to address a set of related hypothesis. Emphasis was put on effect size analysis. KS test results indicate that the relative proportion of players in the industry that have received vocational education and training is significantly low. The relationship between TVET and micro-enterprising in a sample of cities can be dismissed as a case of constrained capacity, usage and transformation. Empirical data also underscores the important role played by vocational education and training in SME development and the wellbeing of the operators. In spite of this, we argue that SME development and poverty alleviation requires approaches that go beyond the mere expansion and development of vocational education and training institutions. An appropriate institutional fabric is required for this purpose. In the final analysis the paper argues that SME expansion and development in the Ethiopian context only works provided a large number of players are involved and that an appropriate supportive institutional framework exists.

Linking vocational education and training (VET) with youth employment in Bahir dar city, Ethiopia: Issues, realities and challengesTendayi Gondo1, Augustine Tirivangana, Bonface Bwanyire, Wudu Muluneh Yimer, Civil Service College

ABSTRACT: Despite the economic, social and cultural transformations of the recent past that have diminished the status of work in relation to other activities and aspects of life, being

10

employed has continued to be a decisive factor, both as a dominant cultural norm and as an individual aspiration for the vast majority of young people of the developing world. In urban Ethiopia, empirical data indicate that urban unemployment and other employment issues are among the critical problems that characterize the current youth development discourse. Among other strategic policy measures, vocational education and training have become two of the major pillars adopted by the Ethiopian authorities to try and improve the youth employment situation. There is however, limited evidence on the impact of such policy measures on youth employment. This paper assesses issues, realities and challenges characterizing vocational education, training and youth employment. Empirical data presented relate to Bahir dar city. The study utilized the survey method where an objectively defined sample size 170 youths drawn from three randomly selected Kebeles was utilized. In addition, key officials drawn from relevant departments were interviewed. SPSS was used to analyze quantitative data while content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Results indicate that a high unemployment ratio among the youth. The study also reveals a positive correlation between vocational education, training and youth employment. The youth employment ratio was found to increase with the level of education. While vocational education and training offers an entry point into the job market for the youth, returns were however found not to be commensurate with qualifications. The youth unemployment situation was also found to vary according to marital status, gender and educational level. Among other reasons, lack of vocational education and training explained this anomaly. We argue that the link between vocational education, training and youth employment creation is not spontaneous; it needs to be created and nurtured throughout. There is a need to create new institutional arrangements that will facilitate not only a forward link between vocational education and training but also feedback from the youth practitioners themselves. Key words Vocational education, training, employment ratio, youth development, integration, realities

Beyond Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET): An evaluation of the nature and performance of woodwork and metal clustering in Mekelle city, EthiopiaTendayi Gondo, Ethiopian Civil Service College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT: Clustering has been identified as one of the policy strategies that plays a pivotal role in organizing for effective implementation of micro-industries. Despite the obvious gains associated with such a strategy, there is little evidence that can be used to underpin the implementation of approaches that seek to upscale clustering. This paper evaluates the nature and performance of metal and woodwork clustering in Mekelle city and its implication for micro and small-scale enterprises development. Empirical data presented here relates to 42 randomly selected woodwork and metal industries in Mekelle UNIDO agent. A causal research design was adopted that sought to test a number of hypotheses. Quantitative variables were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) while qualitative data was subjected to content analysis. The study found out that enterprises that took advantage of clustering significantly improved their sales and fixed asset. Clustering permitted the establishment of social networks that facilitated a smooth exchange of vital information and the creation of collaborative platforms where challenges faced and their solutions were discussed. Despite this, the clustering strategy was stifled by a number of bottlenecks. First, the performance of the players in the industry was thwarted by their low levels of skill, lack of working places

11

(premises), a critical shortage of raw materials and the shortage of financial resources. Secondly, the prevailing institutional climate was found not conducive for the creation and promotion of forward and backward linkages between TVET institutions and the players in the industry. We propose an institutional re-engineering process that is aimed at creating an institutional fabric that encourages a viable link between TVET knowledge and practice. In this light we posit that efforts that are targeted at creating a strong relationship between micro- enterprise operators and suppliers of inputs, vocational colleges and other supportive institutions are indispensable in curbing shortage of raw materials supply and the skills problem.

Reconciling vocational education and training (VET) with micro-enterprising in Ethiopian cities: An analysis of impacts, challenges and transformative possibilitiesTendayi Gondo1 Killian Munzwa and Augustine Tirivangana, ABSTRACT: Micro and Small Enterprise (MSEs) development has in recent years gained attention in development discourse as a priority area crucial for stimulating growth both in the developed and the developing world. In Ethiopia, the micro and small enterprises sector in general remained neglected for a long period until a shift was made to a market led economic system (Post 1991). As enshrined in the PASDEP and the TVET strategy document, MSEs have been defined as one of the key economic engines for eradicating chronic poverty. Central to the promotion of MSEs, has been the development and the expansion of vocational education and training centers throughout Ethiopia. The central question however, is to what extent has this move made a difference in both SME development and poverty alleviation. This paper attempts to appraise the extent to which vocational education and training efforts has promoted SME development. It draws on empirical evidence gathered on a sample of twelve Ethiopian cities. In this analysis, a Comparative Studies Framework was employed to compare and contrast emerging issues. This approach utilized the concept of meta analysis to combine the results of several studies that sought to address a set of related hypothesis. Emphasis was put on effect size analysis. KSQ test results indicate that the relative proportion of players in the industry that have received vocational education and training is significantly low. Empirical data also underscores the important role played by vocational education and training in SME development and the wellbeing of the operators. In spite of this, we argue that SME development and poverty alleviation requires approaches that go beyond the mere expansion and development of vocational education and training institutions. An appropriate institutional fabric is required for this purpose. In the final analysis the paper argues that SME expansion and development in the Ethiopian context only works provided a large number of players are involved and that an appropriate supportive institutional framework exists.

Private Sector Development & Employment: The dynamism of micro and small enterprises in the integrated housing development program: reflections on employment creation and urban poverty alleviation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Trynos Gumbo, Ethiopian Civil Service College, Addis Ababa:

ABSTRACT: Poverty, unemployment and shelter deficits are the worst challenges prevalent in countries of the developing world. Rapid urbanization has immensely contributed to

12

unprecedented demand for jobs, housing and social services in cities of such countries. This research is premised on the implementation of the IHDP and its role in job creation as well as poverty reduction in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. A survey of MSEs was conducted in selected sub-cities of the primate city to gather first hand information about the various activities of the enterprises engaged with the housing program. The findings indicate immense contributions of MSEs towards employment creation and poverty reduction in the capital city. Although the number of people engaged in micro and small enterprises increased as a result of new enterprises that were developed and through the promotion of existing enterprises of the urban poor, the results also show capital shortages, inadequate working space, undiversified market and lack of skills as the major constraints to effectiveness of MSEs in the city. The paper concludes by proposing a variety of strategies key stakeholders can employ to further promote and facilitate the continued growth and effectiveness of MSEs in poverty reduction and employment creation. To this end, the paper calls for concrete and coordinated institutional support to the enterprises.

Challenges and Opportunities for Water and Environmental Management in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia Sango Ishumael, Ethiopian Civil Service College, Addis Ababa

ABSTACT: Among the key expectations of the Rio Declaration, is environmental sustainability, that is based on the recognition that the well being of human society and prospects for further development are closely interconnected with the well being of the natural ecosystems, among which water resources are primary.

The effective and sustainable utilization and management of water resources in particular is an essential pre - requisite for sustaining all forms of life, improving livelihoods of communities, and fostering overall socio – economic development. Whilst water is a renewable resource, it is however vulnerable to local, national and regional pressures generated by the ever-increasing intensity and variety of competing human activities and interests. The resultant water resources degradation is among the key factors generating the growing ecological, socio-economic and political stresses in many regions of the world including East Africa. The metropolis of Addis Ababa has got a fair share of the problem of water resources depletion and pollution. As cities of the world such as Addis Ababa undertake the well intended growth and development processes, there is a tendency in many cases of utilizing the available water resources in a way that compromises the availability and quality of the water in the respective region. It is this particular concern that has inspired this paper to explore the challenges and opportunities for water and environmental management in Addis Ababa.

The paper will examine the state of selected rivers and streams that traverse the city. Identify land uses and other practices that undermine water availability and quality in the city. Examine the institutional challenges faced in the water related environmental management initiatives. The paper is going to be based on a mix of data collection methods, paying considerable attention to secondary data collection from published government documents, published and unpublished research items among other literature. Selected governmental and non- governmental officials will be interviewed to solicit relevant data. Households and other affected and interested stakeholders will be sampled and field observations would be conducted also to compliment the data collected. The findings of the paper show evidence of considerable pollution on the city streams particularly the Akaki River that traverses densely peopled residential, commercial and industrial areas of the city. The banks of these heavily

13

polluted streams are home to thousands of people who depend largely on the aquatic system for livelihood. This translates into environmental health risks to human and animal life. It is noted that such challenges and their causes are complex in nature and as such, a multidimensional approach is therefore required in providing solutions. Good governance should be the pre – requisite to provide for conflict resolution and management, which brings together at the table the conflicting environmental, economic and social interests for sustainability.

Developing the Route to Maternal Survival in Rural EthiopiaRuth Jackson, School of International and Political Studies, Deakin University, Australia

ABSTRACT: After 50 years of international health policies and strategies aimed at reducing maternal mortality and disability in developing countries, the current imperative is that high rates of maternal death and disability should be reduced through the transfer of modern health service interventions. Based on ethnographic research in Kafa Zone in southwest Ethiopia, this paper considers how the biomedical model implies that the “pathway to maternal survival” is a direct, linear route. High levels of maternal mortality and disability confirms the relevance of the “universal barriers”—recognition of the danger signs, cost, distance and transport—to the use of skilled care. The paper provides some of the setting specific details of many local contextual factors that influence care seeking. These include birth location and decision making as most women give birth at home and any decision to transfer to a health facility if something goes wrong are not made by the birthing woman but by her husband and other close relatives and neighbors. The paper argues that if culture shapes social reality and personal experience as ‘health beliefs and behavior, illness beliefs and behavior and health care activities are governed by the same set of socially sanctioned activities’ (Obermeyer 2001) there is a need to understand the limitations and variability of each setting.

Fertilizer Consumption and Agricultural Productivity in Ethiopia1

Endale, Kefyalew, Department of Economics, Addis Ababa University

ABSTRACT: This study investigated the effects of chemical fertilizer on cereal production in Ethiopia and also the determinants of its adoption. The major data sources are Central statistical authority (CSA) and the Ethiopian Rural Household Survey (ERHS). Spearman’s correlation coefficient showed a positive correlation among chemical fertilizer and value of cereal production and relatively large correlation with combined use of Dap and Urea. The positive difference of cereal value production among fertilizer users and non-users is another indicator of fertilizer’s contribution. A multifactor translog production function is also specified and estimated by Fixed Effect model. Dap and Urea are significant and from the multiplicative variables, Dap and Urea interaction, square of Dap, and their interaction with farm credit are also significant. The fertilizer adoption model, on the other hand, is conducted by panel probit model. The result showed that loan is an important variable for fertilizer adoption.

Land, oxen, rain on time (dummy) are also positive determinants of fertilizer adoption while better land qualities are likely to reduce the probability of adoption. This study recommends

1 This study is sponsored by Ethiopian Development Research Institute (EDRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, POB-2479, www.edri-et.org

14

cereal specific fertilizer subsidies at least in the short run to deal with the deterioration of cereal prices in relative to fertilizer. Extension follow-up, improved credit access and livestock management are also helpful to increase benefits from fertilizer as well as its adoption.

Constrained ‘Conduct and the Conduct of Conduct’:-A case of Urban Solid Waste Governance Systems in EthiopiaRaymond Makhanda, Scelo Zibagwe and Tendayi Gondo

ABSTRACT: The democratic advancements and structural adjustments in African countries have propelled the growth of decentralized governance systems, which are more pronounced in Ethiopia. These have gave birth to new actors in urban ecosystems management, particularly solid waste management (SWM) of which a significant proportion operates in an informal manner. Though embraced in the conceptualization of Earth Systems Governance as constituting the Institutional Environment (IE), informal component agency in the SWM collection sub-system is ignored and not built upon in the institutional arrangements (IAs) of urban waste management. Empirical evidence of govern mentality of waste management practice operating outside the ‘transaction sector’ was gathered through a number of independent studies in various Ethiopian regional cities and towns. The pulling together of analyses was achieved through meta-analysis to explore IE-IA incongruity and the appropriateness of IAs. We argue that failure to incorporate informal waste collection systems hinders science-driven vision of waste management, as generation volumes and growth trends are masked.

This also weakens govern mentality and progress/transition towards sustainable urban futures. Information asymmetry on domestic solid waste generation in urban Ethiopia limits both governmentality and episteme of governance as collection practice significantly evolves organically in largely man-made urban ecosystems.

The missing links explained in this paper further constrains design of architectures that work particularly in enforcing scientific or technical minimum standards, worsened by feedback from formal regulated actors operating within command-control paradigm. Cumulatively, the non-incorporated conduct of informal actors and the inconsistent formal compliance behavior that lacks motivation for self-regulation results in a dysfunctional urban waste management system. Furthermore, increased informalization in the earlier stages of the SWM systems, cascade through the entire process also limits technology transfers on aspects such as resource re-use, and the entirely envisioned symbiotic linkages. In designing appropriate IAs for adaptive and efficient SWM practice, predictability on waste generation trends has to inform earth governance capacities in the third world. We conclude that the significant informal spectacle in solid waste collection and governance systems are strongly determined by level of formalization of the country’s solid waste collection sub-system, which is at best indicated by the low level of IE-IA interface.

Ethno symbolism and the Dismemberment of the State in the Horn of Africa: The Ethiopian Case of Ethnic FederalismAssefa Mehretu, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan

15

ABSTRACT: The paper has three major objectives. The first is to do a critical review of the current largely antagonistic narratives of ethnic instrumentalism in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa that have ultimately led to the balkanization of the state and caused serious political instability and fratricidal conflicts with traumatic and costly consequences. The second is to do a critical review of the policy of the current Ethiopian government to implement ethno-territorial formations under the rubric of killils (Amharic for territorial enclosures), and demonstrate how this may seriously vitiate national integration along compatible cultural and socioeconomic dimensions. The third is to examine an alternative theoretical framework from social geography and demonstrate the potential for creating compatible narratives for non-exclusive communal (cultural) and neoliberal (socioeconomic) order that would unleash Ethiopia’s energy and those of its neighbors from the crippling impasse of divisive ethnic instrumentalism (Leoussi and Grosby 2007: 16-17).

Problems and prospects of gender equity in higher learning institutions of Ethiopia: technology and natural science fields in focusBedada Mergo, Adama University

ABSTRACT: This paper aims at assessing the problems and prospects of gender equity in higher learning institutions of Ethiopia, particularly in technology and natural science fields. There is a need for conducting research on issues of gender equality in the higher learning institutions of Ethiopia in line with the government policy of maintaining gender balance in university enrolment on the one hand and emphasizing technology and natural science fields, which female students normally do not choose as fields of study in most cases on the other. A descriptive survey research method was employed in the study. The subjects of the study consisted of 160 university female students, instructors, and gender office officers taken as samples using simple random sampling and purposive sampling methods. Besides, gender policy documents and guidelines were used as sources of data. To gather the data, questionnaire, interview, and document analysis were employed. The data were analyzed by blending quantitative and qualitative approaches. As such, the data collected through the close-ended items of the questionnaire and certain items of the interviews were analyzed quantitatively by applying chi-square and percentage respectively. On the other hand, the data gathered via open-ended items of the questionnaire and some items of the interview were analyzed using qualitative approaches. The findings of the study showed that the prominent factors which make the students show little interest in hard sciences are poor self-concept, inadequate preliminary knowledge and skills in the fields, persistent effects of socio-cultural gender stereotypes, inadequacy of sustainable gender-based strategies at the Ethiopian higher learning institutions, existence of negligible number of female instructors in hard sciences which may serve female students as role models, and lack of favorable learning environment in the current Ethiopian higher education institutions. To assist female students join and succeed in hard sciences like their male counterparts, suggestions like giving female students adequate orientation long time before they choose their fields of study. Improving the backgrounds and capacity of female students particularly in natural sciences beginning from the lower grades, changing the traditional gender stereotypes that only favor males, formulating sound strategies through participatory approach, arranging training programs on issues of gender so as to raise the awareness of the instructors, department heads, faculty deans, polishing the curricula in use with the aim of integrating issues of gender equity into them, and the like are pinpointed in the paper.

16

Explaining Disadoption of Agricultural Technologies: The Case of Improved Maize Seed in Central Western Ethiopia Tura Matura Hadassah University, Hadassah, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT: The literature on agricultural technology has very little to say concerning the disadoption of agricultural technology packages, a situation when farmers discontinue the use of already adopted technology. However, adoption of improved technology by itself is not sufficient for enhancing yield and reducing food insecurity unless the technologies are used continuously. This study tries to investigate the extent and factors explaining discontinuance of the use of improved hybrid maize seed based on data obtained from 120 farming household in central western Ethiopia. Despite the fact that adoption has substantially increased due to SG 2000 project and government’s own extension program the degree of disadoption as measured by the proportion of farmers disadopted found to be significant accounting for a quarter of adopters. The econometric result of bivariate probit model shows that initial adoption depends on institutional factor, measured by access to extension. Disadoption of improved maize varieties is largely influenced by access to productive assets, institution and policy variables. Credit and labor availability and livestock ownership are found be significantly determining disadoption decision. Hence, it is recommended that, in addition to increasing the resource endowment of the farmers it requires to improve the working of credit and labor markets.

A case study on Private Sector Development and EmploymentMeskerem Shiferaw, Netherlands Development Organization.

ABSTRACT: SNV-the Netherlands Development organization and engineering capacity building program (ecbp) of GTZ; the German Development Organization have identified that there was weak capacity of consultancy firms/Business Development Service (BDS) Providers in Ethiopia. To fill this gap they have agreed to design a program that strengthens the capacities of the BDS Providers by hiring young graduates from universities in Ethiopia in phases. This paper discusses the first phase, which is completed in September 2008. The main results achieved through the internship program were, capacitated BDS providers with increasing income because of additional capacity from the interns and employment generation for the interns. Financial assistance has been secured from Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands through the Business Organization and their Access to Market (BOAM) program of SNV-Ethiopia and ecbp.

The Relevance of Graduate Research to Sustainable Commercialization of Smallholder Agriculture: IPMS Experience with Ethiopian Universities Tesfaye Lemma Tefera, Azage Tegegne and Dirk Hoekstra Tesfaye Lemma IPMS/ILRI, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT: Innovation, that is, the productive use of knowledge for economic and social development purpose is crucial to improve productivity and market success of Ethiopian smallholder agriculture, and thereby achieving the goal of reducing poverty.

17

In this regard, tertiary agricultural education has a critical role of strengthening innovative capability of agricultural research, training and extension systems. Further, as a research actor in its own right tertiary education has a direct and profound influence on the productivity and commercialization of the agricultural sector. Research by graduate students is an important component of the overall research undertakings at colleges and university faculties of agriculture and allied disciplines represents the larger share of time-bound research activities of the institutes, and thus its development relevance deserves careful attention.

Whilst public investment and structural reform are necessary, they are not sufficient. Parallel reforms are required to strengthen response capability of colleges and faculties, which should include strategies and mechanisms to align organizational mandate and priorities with stakeholders demand and to forge dynamic networks and partnership. Whilst the need for this kind of reform is no longer debatable, the challenge is when it comes to ‘how’- unfortunately no panacea. Improving Productivity and Market Success (IPMS) of Ethiopian farmers’ project, as part of its public sector innovation capacity development effort, has been working with universities with graduate programs in agriculture and related disciplines. The focus was on enhancing the relevance of graduate research to fostering market-orientation of the smallholder production systems and the emergence of inclusive commodity value chain with a holistic view of innovation and systems perspective. The project intervenes at different levels (actor, relationship and system), uses various mechanisms, and plays the roles of linkage facilitation and intermediation. The paper highlights the achievements and challenges experienced in the process; it draws lessons; and, finally, it makes certain recommendations on stimulating demand-orientation and strengthening response capability of graduate programs.

Farm Households’ Food Insecurity, Determinants and Coping Strategies: The Case of Fadis District, Eastern Oromia, EthiopiaZegeye Tirfe & Hussien Hamda Komicha Tesfaye Lemma & Co-authors, IPMS/ILRI, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT: In response to increasing food insecurity and poverty in the world, there is a renewed global focus on food security and poverty alleviation issues, as stipulated in Millennium Development Goals. This study attempts to identify the intensity of farm households’ food insecurity, factors influencing it and farm households’ coping strategies. The study was based on a household survey, conducted in 2008, of 182 sample farm households selected from Fadis District in Eastern Oromia, using a two-stage stratified random sampling procedure. Besides descriptive statistics, the study employs tobit regression model. The result shows that about 80% of the sample households were food insecure, with their energy intake on average was about 30% below subsistence energy requirement, which is a shortfall of about 647 kcal per adult equivalent per day. Based on computed surplus index, the food secure households, on average, exceeded the recommended calorie intake by 27%, which amounts to a surplus of 608 kcal per adult equivalent per day. At an aggregate level, the food insecurity intensity for the entire sample households was about 18% energy intake below subsistence energy level, which is an average deficit of 392 kcal per adult equivalent per day. During severe food shortage periods, households use different coping strategies. The most frequently used coping strategies of the food-insecure households were distress sale of livestock so as to purchase food grain and resorting to relief assistance. The estimated tobit model shows that farm households’ food insecurity in the study area was influenced by agro-ecology, livestock

18

holding, farm income, family size, size of total land cultivated, soil fertility, size of irrigated land, off-farm and non-farm incomes.

The results of the study imply that there is a need for development of small-scale irrigation schemes, rehabilitation of highly degraded environment, promotion of family planning and integrated health service to lessen the burden of population pressure on food security, and creation of non-farm and off-farm employment opportunities in the study areas.

Quality and Relevant Higher Education for Sustainable Development in Ethiopia: Contemplation towards Reinforcement Yohannes Woldetensae Freelance Consultant & Senior Expert, Addis Ababa

ABSTRACT: It is generally acknowledged that education plays a crucial role in promoting economic development and contributes to poverty reduction. Education at all levels and in all its forms constitutes a vital tool for addressing problems relevant to sustainable development. The Ethiopian Government Plan for Accelerated and Sustained Development to End Poverty considers capacity building in the education sector as one of the central pillars in its guiding strategic framework. The Government is strengthening the expansion of higher education with the general objective to produce skilled human power with the necessary quality and quantity to meet the national socio economic development requirements. Quality as well as relevant higher education is essential for establishing viable research and innovative capabilities that enables to utilize available resources efficiently for sustainable development. As economic development is generally correlated with the quality of higher education, the concern for quality and the need to assure it is critical to reinforce the contribution of higher education to national development endeavors. Indeed, quality and relevant higher education has the potential to enhance socio-economic growth. Hence, strong emphasis on quality and relevance is essential for more effectiveness. This paper attempts to contemplate approaches that could help to reinforce the contribution of Ethiopian higher education to the country’s efforts towards sustainable development. The paper suggests the following eight pragmatic strategies as input for policy options and considerations. 1Shifting Focus from Expansion to Quality Higher Education, Developing Internal Quality Assurance Mechanisms within Higher Education Institutions, Adapting Outcomes-Approach to Learning, Increasing Focus to Labour Market Requirements and Employability of Graduates, Advancing University Research and Linkage with the Industry, Reinforcing Postgraduate Programs focusing on Relevance and Quality, Enhancing Contribution of Higher Education towards Millennium Development Goals, Mobilizing the Ethiopian Diaspora for more Involvement

19