Scholars urged to take part in Ethiopia’s overall development drive

Addis Ababa, May 27 (WIC) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hailemariam Desalegn, has called on Ethiopian scholars to take part in the overall development drive launched in the country.

Speaking at the launching program of Center for Developmental Studies (CDS), an organization dedicated to improving the overall aspects of the country’s development, Hailemaram said the nation expects more from intellectuals.

Appreciating the initiative of the intellectuals that formed the think-tank, Hailemeriam said the Center would play a key role in mobilizing and exploiting the potential of the elites. 

Alleviating the country’s socio-economic problems and backwardness requires the participation of intellectuals and to this end, the government offers all the necessary supports to such initiatives, Hailemariam said.

Center Chairperson, Assistant Professor Mohammad Habib, on his part underlined the need to exploit and utilize the potential of Ethiopian intellectuals for the country’s socio-economic and political transformation.

He added that CDS, as think-tank, brings the elites into one system for the betterment of the country.

Zephaniah Alemu, Secretary of the Center stated the center has among others, the vision of safeguarding the national interest and constitutional system.

According to Zephaniah, the center works in nine thematic areas: federalism and democracy, development and justice, rule of law and justice system, media and press, education and training, financial market, resource development, contribution of the private sectors  and building the country’s national pride.

The Center was legally established based on the new Ethiopia’s Charities and Societies (CSOs) proclamation number 621/2001.