MELCA's News

Green Forum 2007

Major Programs:
SEGNI Advocacy Seed Diversity

Mission

To work for the revival and enhancement of bio-cultural diversity and realization of sustainable livelihoods in Ethiopia through Research, Environmental Education, Participatory Mapping, Endogenous Development and Conservation of Ecosystems.

The Green Forum, which comprises MELCA, Heinrich Boll Foundation, Enda Ethiopia, Forum for Environment and PANOS Ethiopia, has organized a three day public debate entitled "Climate Change, A Challenge For The New Millennium - Linking climate change, natural resources, livelihood and policies" from the 31st October to the 2nd of November 2007 at the Ghion Hotel. The director of MELCA made the opening speech in which he traced the history of the Green Forum and linked the meeting to the burning issue of protecting the agricultural system of the country.

His Excellency President Girma W/ Ghiorgis, the president of the Federal republic of Ethiopia, has opened the meeting. Papers on climate change and its impact on biodiversity and local livelihood and Ethiopia's strategy towards climate change were presented. Over hundred participants coming from government, parliament, CSOs and universities have participated. There was ample time for discussion and participation was very much encouraging. A signature called the Climate Appeal was opened by the Heinrich Boll Foundation and signed by the President and most of the participants. As happened last year, a declaration linking climate change to the conservation of biodiversity and livelihood and calling for immediate action, was launched.