Addis ababa: A seven-day training and orientation for national dialogue facilitators, described by the National Dialogue Chief Commissioner, Professor Mesfin Araya, as "a turning point," opened today. The Chief Commissioner emphasized that this day marks another milestone in the journey of dialogue, underscoring the adoption of skills necessary for dialogue over confrontation, and for promoting inclusion.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Chief Commissioner addressed the facilitators, emphasizing their role as responsible custodians of this significant national duty. He remarked, "You will be history-makers who, together, build the country's social, civic, and democratic opportunities." The training aims to equip facilitators with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to uphold the dignity of every Ethiopian and to lead discussions that foster shared commitments to peace, justice, and unity.
United Nations Development Program Ethiopia representative, Samuel Gbaydee Doe, also highlighted the scale and stakes of the upcoming national convention, which will gather 4,000 delegates next month. He described the responsibility as immense and the opportunity as historic, urging the trainees to act as guardians of the process. Doe emphasized the importance of listening, impartiality, and creating an environment where dignity is protected and truth can be spoken.
Sweden's Deputy Head of Mission in Ethiopia, Hedvig Lohm, praised the Commission's extensive consultations nationwide and reiterated international support for the dialogue process. She highlighted that today's training is the culmination of an ambitious journey mandated by the Ethiopian government and undertaken by the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission. Lohm expressed Sweden's commitment to supporting the process financially, diplomatically, and technically, noting that the facilitators' role will be crucial moving forward.
The Commission announced that experts from international peace and conflict organizations in Sweden and the Netherlands would join the sessions to further enhance facilitation capacity ahead of the convention.