ENDC Begins Agenda Validation Workshops with Stakeholders
 
The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission has commenced a series of agenda validation workshops with key stakeholders as part of the national dialogue process. The engagements officially began on May 22, 2026, with representatives of civil society organizations and religious institutions.
 
Opening the workshop, Chief Commissioner Professor Mesfin Araya stated that 93 percent of the country’s woredas have been included in the national dialogue process. He also emphasized the significant contributions of civil society organizations and religious institutions in supporting efforts aimed at building consensus and strengthening peace.
 
Speaking on behalf of civil society organizations, Ahmed Hussein noted that sustainable peace can only be achieved through an inclusive dialogue process that accommodates diverse views and voices.
 
During the workshop, agenda items collected and organized by the Commission were presented to participants for review and feedback. Representatives of the two stakeholder groups provided inputs and recommendations on the proposed agenda items.
 
Explaining the criteria used to identify and organize agenda items from the large volume collected nationwide, Commissioner Dr. Ambaye Ogato said the Commission considered several factors. These include whether an issue requires constitutional amendment, has remained a longstanding source of disagreement, contributes to improving relations among communities, helps create a better political environment, strengthens relations between the government and the public, advances democratic processes, supports nation-building efforts, contributes to resolving prevailing peace and security challenges, promotes national consensus, and helps to renew Ethiopia’s indigenous values and norms.
 
The Commission indicated that similar validation workshops will continue with other stakeholder groups in the coming weeks.