The seventh forum under the auspices of Christian Relief and Development Association (CRDA), Water and Sanitation Forum (WSF) will be launched soon with its main objective of networking the civil society organizations.

The Steering Committee members of the former Water Working Group (WWG) have repeatedly requested CRDA to recognize the WWG as a separate Forum.

The objectives of the new forum are to bringing together civil society organizations and to enhance their contribution at the national level and to increase access to Water and Sanitation services.

It also creates a good opportunity for CSOs to share experience, to advocate and lobby as well as to build partnership among them for better coordination.

Ato Tedla Bekele, Coordinator of Rural Development Forum and WSF in CRDA said members were losing various opportunities due to lack of a strong forum.

He hopes that when the forum is operational, CSOs will have the opportunity conducting official communications with the government and the donor community and will be in a position to contribute to the national effort of increasing access to Water and Sanitation Hygiene Services and ensure food security in the country by engaging in different endeavors.

The official launching ceremony of the forum will be held on February 5, 2008 at CRDA conference hall in the presence of higher officials, members of CSOs and other pertinent bodies.

Ato Assfaw Dinigamo, Ministry of Water Resource is expected to be the Guest of Honour at the Launching ceremony.

CRDA’s Forums such as Children and Youth Forum, Good Governance Forum, HIV/AIDS Forum, Gender Forum, Urban Development Forum, and Rural Development Forum are already operational.


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