On November 19, 2024, WISE, in collaboration with the Coady Institute, hosted a landmark National Conference on Asset-Based Community-Driven Development (ABCD) in Addis Ababa. The event convened leaders, experts, community organizers, and stakeholders to discuss innovative strategies for empowering communities by harnessing their inherent strengths to achieve sustainable development.
The conference featured opening remarks by Tsige Haile, Director of WISE, and keynote speeches from Eileen Alma, Executive Director of the Coady Institute, and Dr. Wellington Sousa, a scholar in adult education and community development. These addresses highlighted the transformative potential of ABCD, emphasizing the importance of focusing on a community's existing assets to foster meaningful change.
Participants engaged in discussions that showcased success stories, identified implementation challenges, and explored strategies to scale the ABCD model. A recurring theme was the necessity of strengthening partnerships between governments, NGOs, and grassroots organizations to maximize the impact of community-driven initiatives.
The event concluded with a unified call to action, affirming a shared commitment to a future where communities lead their own development journeys by utilizing their unique resources and capabilities.
This conference marked a significant step forward in advancing the ABCD approach, inspiring collaborations and initiatives that prioritize community empowerment and self-reliance