Welcome to Forum for Social Studies (FSS)

Forum for Social Studies (FSS) is an independent, non-profit institution engaged in policy-oriented research on the development challenges facing Ethiopia . READ MORE

NEW Publications from FSS

Community perspectives on climate change impacts and the responses in the Southern lowlands of Ethiopia

Aklilu Amsalu & Alebachew Adem

Assessment of climate change-induced hazards, impacts and responses in the Southern lowlands of Ethiopia

FSS Research Report No. 4

Aklilu Amsalu & Alebachew Adem

Dynamics of Poverty in Addis Ababa

FSS Research Report No. 3

Netsanet Teklehaymanot

Advocacy for Change

Training Mannual

Edited by Taye Assefa

 

 

 

Society, State and Identity in African History

Edited by Bahru Zewde

Click here to Read the Introduction

 

 

 

A Documentary film production The “Housing Situation in Addis Ababa”

Since its establishment in 1989, FSS has undertaken a wide range of activities to execute its mandate of promoting a democratic tradition of informed public debate on development and policy issues. It has conducted original research on those issues, focusing on the three major areas of environment, governance and poverty. These researches have resulted in a wide range of publications, including reports, monographs and books.

FSS has so far produced two successful environment related documentaries and a promotional documentary on the history and activities of FSS itself. In 2009, it envisages to produce a one hour Amharic Documentary Film (with English subtitle) on “The Housing Situation in Addis Ababa”.

The purpose of the Documentary Film is to make available a visual presentation of the burning issues of housing in Addis Ababa while at the same time discussing prospects and possible solutions. The Documentary film is to be based on the findings of a professional assessment conducted in two representative sub-cities with a focus on two Kebeles from each sub-city.

The primary focus of the Documentary film will be:

  • The housing conditions and rate of slums in selected Kebeles in Addis Ababa
  • The housing standards and tenure
  • Environmental conditions
  • Housing policies and practices

Register of Ethiopian Social Researchers (RESoRs)

FSS is to launch a database of Ethiopian social researchers ( RESoRs)

Objectives of RESoRs:

  • To enhance the international visibility of Ethiopian social researchers
  • To facilitate easy access to a rich diversity of Ethiopian expertise for national agencies, regional and international organizations that seek professional services of consultants, advisors, and teachers
  • To enable the FSS identify suitable professionals for its programs and services
  • To promote networking and collaboration within Ethiopia’s higher education and research community
  • To facilitate easy dissemination of announcements calling for Ethiopian expertise.

RESoRs Features

  • Comprehensive, reliable and up-to-date profile of your professional career
  • Two options to submit your bio data to RESoRs
  • Online access to update your bio data at any time
  • Immediate access to information through inclusion on the FSS mailing list.

Who is eligible for RESoRs?

Yes, if you are a social researcher:

  • With a qualification of a master’s degree or higher
  • With a minimum of three or more scholarly publications

What benefits can RESoRs offer you?

  • A free medium for promoting the international visibility of your research career
  • An opportunity for enhancing your academic mobility
  • A channel for easy networking and/or collaborating with peers within and outside Ethiopia
  • Better opportunity to benefit from FSS programs and services
  • Free subscription to the FSS Update, an electronic newsletter that will regularly provide you with valuable information on upcoming regional and international workshops and conferences, job vacancies, and consultancy opportunities.

Project Cycle Management (PCM) Training

FSS has been conducting various studies on developmental issues and disseminating the results through publications and public platforms. FSS has also been providing short-term training to the staff of CSOs/NGOs and governmental agencies in Addis Ababa and the regional states.

In 2009 FSS launched a training program in Project Cycle Management (PCM) to enhance the management skills of the technical staff of CSOs and government organizations working with grassroots communities. The program envisages training a total of 75 development workers before the end of the year.

Rethinking Academic Freedom in East African Universities

The Network for Education and Academic Rights (NEAR) and Scholars at Risk (SAR) in partnership with Forum for Social Studies (FSS), Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA), and the British Council (Ethiopia Office) have organized a conference on ‘Rethinking Academic Freedom in East African Universities' which has taken place from 21st to 23rd October 2008 at the Ghion Hotel, Addis Ababa.

The event has brought together leading higher education officials, scholars and professionals to rethink issues of university development and academic freedom. Previous such events have been held in Amman (Jordan), St. Petersburg (Russia), and Vilnius (Lithuania). Read FSS Update for more info

 

  • Good Governance and Democracy lecture series held on 15 August

As part of FSS and HBF public lecture series on Good Governance and Democracy, Dr. Akwasi Aidoo , currently Executive Director of TrustAfrica lectured on “Identity and Citizenship in Africa : Negotiating the boundaries that divide and unite us.”

The lecture was held on Friday 15 August, at 6:30 pm, at the Ghion Hotel (Blue Salon) Addis Ababa. Read More

FSS held its Last Lecture in the Intergenerational Transfer of Knowledge series (2006-2008)

The Forum for Social Studies held a series of lectures every two months since the beginning of 2005. These have been focusing on the policies formulated and endeavours undertaken during the period of the Imperial Regime in order to overcome poverty and to bring about sustainable development. The speakers were persons who had occupied important positions in government or in the private sector. The lectures and the publications that ensued have been deemed very fruitful. The last speaker was Dejazmach Wolde Sema'et Gebre Wold. His discussion was mailnly focused on “ Reforming Provincial (Awraja) Administration (1963-1972 GC): Reminiscences ”. He has served as administrator on key government positions during the Imperial Regime. The lecture took place at the Ghion Hotel, Awash Hall, on 18 July 2008 at 6:00 pm. Click here to read FSS Update (Read the news filed by ENA)

  • Draft proclamation on Charities and Societies and Comments of CSOs

The Ministry of Justice of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has recently issued a draft “Charities and Societies Proclamation.” Ethiopian CSOs have submitted their comments to the FDRE Ministry of Justice. We have posted here the Draft Proclamation as well as the general comments made by Ethiopian CSOs.

Click the following links

Draft CSO Proclamation in Amharic and English (PDF)

Comments of Ethiopian CSOs in Amharic (PDF)

Comments of Ethiopian CSOs in English (PDF)

  • International conference discussed policy dialogue on civil society issues

An international conference aimed, among others, at facilitating for policy makers and members of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to share from international experiences in the creation of an enabling policy environment has been held on Friday 28th March 2008, at the Hilton Hotel Addis Ababa.

The Conference has sustained platform for policy makers and members of the CSOs for policy dialogue on civil society issues, including an enabling legal and policy environment. Click here for more information

Click the links below to read some of the papers presented at the conference (PDF)

Harvest of Thorns?: Whither CSO Policy Advocacy in Africa post-9:11 By Brian Kagoro

Challenges and Opportunities for Civil Society Coalition Building in An Era of GlobalisationBy Kumi Naidoo

Policy Research Institutions and Democratization: Recent Experience and Future Challenges By Dessalegn Rahmato

The Resilience of Home-Grown Civil Society and its implications for Policy: the European Experience By Gerry Salole

FSS Moves to a new location

FSS moves its office to a new address, adjacent to Emad Guest House next to Imperial Hotel, Addis Ababa. Please click here to see the map

 

IGTK discussed Education expansion in Ethiopia

Ato Kebede Firesenbet, a prominent scholar on education sector has presented a paper on “ Education Expansion in Ethiopia: From Liberation to the Education Sector Review ” on May 16, 2008. The lecture was held at the Hilton Hotel at 6:00 pm.

 

Major Programs
Quality of Higher Education in Ethiopia and Culture & Development
Research
Publications (Publications Catalogue)
Radio Programs
Library
FSS' electronic newsletter, FSS UPDATE, is meant to facilitate networking, exchange of information and sharing of experience among members of civil society and the research community. More Info.

FSS Update 36

 

 

 

 

 

In this issue

Pedagogical Training, Workload and Evaluation of the Teaching Personnel in Ethiopian Higher Education Institutions, p1
Gender and Development: Cultural Perspective, p3
Addis Neger poll puts FSS among 25 most influential personalities/organizations of the Year, p3-6
Training Workshop on Climate Negotiations, p6

 

 

 

 



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