Civil society, NGOs, and development in Ethiopia - a snapshot view
Clark, Jeffrey
The study provides an overview of the emerging civil society in Ethiopia, within the continuing move toward representative democracy in the last eight years, its non-governmental sector struggles for definition, operating space, and enhanced institutional capacity. Civil society remains weak, and under-developed, given the historical centralized power, exacerbated by the government's view that civil society opposes political action, despite nonpartisan orientation by the vast majority. Nonetheless, the progress achieved since 1991 by civil society is impressive, increasingly vibrant, and relevant to the nation's political, and economic revitalization. Private business is growing, academic freedom is returning to the institutions of higher learning, and professional associations are forming, with a significant number of national, indigenous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) growing, and expanding its capacity to address the country's development agenda. However, compared with other African countries, NGOs' sector is small, with limited operating capacities, noticeably confined to Addis Ababa. The study aims at providing suggestions to approach a dialogue on partnership, to be organized by the Bank, and Ethiopian NGOs in the transition from absolute authoritarianism, and command economy, to an evolving democracy, and economic liberalization.
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