| Stated Role |
The Ethiopian Government has acknowledged capacity building as an issue of paramount importance. It lies at the very core of sustainable development and poverty alleviation. Capacity building is a long-term process and will be an on-going priority for many years to come. In the Ethiopian context, it involves more than human resources and institutional development. It simultaneously addresses issues of governance, transparency and accountability, consolidating democracy, empowerment at the grass-roots level, and ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law. When these are included capacity building results in a larger and wholesome gain for the society in general and the poor in particular. <P>The Government has adopted a holistic approach and designed a strategy for building capacity for national development, backed by a strong political commitment Its efforts warrant the full support of the international community who are called upon to provide adequate resources for capacity building programmes as well as commit themselves to a longer time-frame. The real challenge to donors lies in providing effective and dynamic support to the Government in its struggle to extricate the masses of the Ethiopian people from the callous and cruel grip of primordial poverty and embark on the path of sustainable development. To this end donors are invited to work in partnership with the Government, the private sector, civil society and non-governmental organisations in building capacity across the country and across all sectors.<P> |