FSS Facilitates workshop on the Social Value of Peace
Forum for Social Studies (FSS) facilitated a half-day workshop on the social value of peace in a ‘Learning and Engagement Program’ under the theme of ‘Regional Integration for Peace,’ on Tuesday, 19th of April 2022, at the The Hub hotel, Addis Ababa.
The half-day workshop was organized for the business community of four regions — Afar, Oromia, Amhara and Somali— as well as the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce. FSS Executive Director, Dr. Yeraswork Admassie, made an oral presentation on the roles of business and the business community in Ethiopia in promoting peace initiatives and regional integration through peace. In his presentation, Dr. Yeraswork provided a general picture of Ethiopian society in terms of its challenges and opportunities towards peaceful transition. He spoke at length on the relevant and central concepts and processes that have shaped Ethiopian society, including historical factors and the resulting structural dimensions that have generated strengths and opportunities. He also discussed the historical and potential current role of the business communit and businesses in general in peacebuilding and regional integration. Following Dr. Yearswork’s presentation, which stimulated the participants, a lively discussion filled with questions and reflections from the audience ensued.
The Regional Integration for Peace is a program conducted by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), in collaboration with FSS and the Ethiopian Economic Association (EEA), to implement the inter-regional integration for peace program.
While FSS, through its income generating wing— Trust Business Enterprise (TKE)— provides technical support on a consultancy role, EEA will be carrying out the policy-oriented research on the impacts of conflict on Ethiopia’s private sector, also on a consultancy assignment.