The reporting period witnessed the formulation and implementation of three new research projects. While one of these was launched thanks to a grant from an old partner, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, two opened new avenues of partnership, with SIDA (via Initiative Africa, the administering agency) and the European Commission. The three research projects are the following:
The Status of Governance, Academic Freedom and Teaching Personnel in Ethiopian Higher Education
This is a major research undertaking that FSS embarked on in 2006, with funding from SIDA through Initiative Africa. Thanks largely to the enthusiastic cooperation of the heads of the higher education institutions concerned, implementation of this project has been proceeding fairly smoothly. FSS has contracted 11 senior and young researchers and has undertaken the case studies in eight public universities and four private colleges. Apart from the case study of major public universities and private higher education institutions, FSS has also invited other researchers to write conference papers on cross-cutting issues. Seventeen of these papers have been selected and are presented, along with the case studies, in a two-day conference on 26-27 April 2007. The book has been published. 
NEW Publication from FSS
ACADEMIC FREEDOM in ETHIOPIA
Perspectives of Teaching Personnel
Edited by Taye Assefa
To order this and/or other FSS publications, e-mail library@fssethiopia.org.et or call Tel: +251116297888/91
A Scoping Study of Woreda-level Decentralization in Ethiopia
This was a preliminary research project undertaken by FSS, with a researcher from Chr. Michelson Institute participating in an advisory capacity. The project is funded by the Norwegian Embassy. It involved literature survey on decentralization in Ethiopia and snapshot assessment of selected woredas to examine the situation on the ground. The two researchers commissioned to undertake the snapshot assessment presented a preliminary report of their findings at the 4th International Conference on the Ethiopian Economy in June 2006. Along with the two other researchers engaged in the literature survey, they presented their findings at an FSS workshop held at the Ghion Hotel on 19 December. The workshop was well attended by participants drawn from among policy/decision-makers as well as donors, and useful inputs were collected to help design a major research project.
Creating an Enabling Environment for Civil Society in Ethiopia
On 4 December, FSS signed with the European Commission a grant contract amounting to 98,826.02 EUR. This is a major grant under its European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) program. The FSS project proposal was selected as the best proposal submitted by CSOs in Ethiopia. The 33-month long project aims to promote an enabling legal and policy environment for Ethiopian civil society, strengthen the institutional capacity of CSOs and raise public awareness of civil society rights, roles and challenges. The pertinent experts to undertake the study have been contracted and finalized their respective assignments.
Their study findings have been delivered at a day long conference held on 30th October 2007, at the Imperial Hotel here in Addis Ababa. Click here to read more about the conference, recommendations made at the confernence and more.
The papers discussed at the conference were;
1. ‘The Regulatory Framework Governing Civil Society Organizations in Ethiopia ', by Mr Tsehai Wada;
2. ‘The Voluntary Sector and Rights Advocacy in Ethiopia : Opportunities and Challenges', by Mr Dessalegn Rahmato;
3. ‘Maximizing Local CSOs' Civic Engagement Potential in Ethiopia ', by Dr Alemayehu Areda;
4. ‘Civil Society in Kenya , South Africa and Uganda : Lessons for Ethiopia ', by Dr Konjit Fekade;
5. ‘Towards an Inclusive Code of Conduct for Civil Society in Ethiopia ', by Mr Debebe Habtegebriel.
