Praxis Ethiopia

The Praxis Ethiopia Foundation

Building upon the excellent work of the Ethiopian Social Rehabilitation and Development Fund, The Praxis Ethiopia Foundation promotes, supports, and honors community-driven, science-led, sustainable poverty reduction in Ethiopia and sub-Sahara Africa

Support at the Highest Levels

Ethiopia's Prime Minister supports the Foundation

On 25 January 2002, His Excellency Prime Minister Meles Zenawi graciously accepted our invitation to serve as the Patron of Praxis Ethiopia and His Excellency serves as the Honorary Chairperson of the Foundation's Board of Directors

Ethiopia's President supports the Foundation

In September 2005, His Excellency Ato Girma Wolde Giorgis made the opening address at Praxis Ethiopia's inaugural event at the Sheraton Addis, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In his address, the President referred to Praxis Ethiopia as the "World Bank of Ideas and Innovations."

A Short History

In January 2002, development professionals from around the world met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to participate in the Ethio-Forum 2002.

Under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Aseffa Abreha, the Ethiopia Social Rehabilitation & Development Fund sponsored this important forum to provide the opportunity to share insights on what Ethiopia needs and how to help Ethiopia recover from years of war, drought, famine, and disease. The Forum also provided the opportunity to share remarkable success stories on controlling insect pests, building small-scale irrigation systems, educating people, and strengthening healthcare.

Ethio-Forum 2002 was a pivotal event in Ethiopia’s history. Throughout the two weeks of meetings, a single unifying theme emerged as the greatest concern of Ethiopia and all of sub-Sahara Africa. This region has extensive international financial aid; however, Ethiopia and sub-Sahara Africa desperately need help from people who have the expertise to identify and apply solutions to pressing problems in

food security,
healthcare,
education, and
using technology.

This intellectual capital is the most important asset of any country. Ethiopia needs people from around the world who want to become part of the restoration of the country by helping Ethiopians to rebuild Ethiopia; essentially, a large group of well-informed people who are dedicated to community-driven poverty reduction.

At the conclusion of Ethio-Forum 2002, Dr. Getachew Tikubet, Dr. Donald C. Johnson, and Dr. David A. Blankinship met with many of the development professionals who participated in the Forum.

After extensive discussion, they drafted a description of an organization that would mobilize an autonomous international coalition of educators, scientists, entrepreneurs, and technical advisors dedicated to community-driven restorative development and poverty reduction in Ethiopia and sub-Sahara Africa. They named this group Praxis Ethiopia.

Roughly translated, “praxis” is the application of knowledge to solve problems, and “Ethiopia” serves is the primary recipient of the services. On January 25, 2002, His Excellency Dr. Aseffa Abreha lead a delegation of international development professionals who met with His Excellency Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and invited him to serve as the Patron of Praxis Ethiopia. His Excellency kindly accepted the group’s invitation and Praxis Ethiopia began that day.

Since its creation, members of the Alliance have been assisting Ethiopians to strengthen food security, improve healthcare, promote education, and facilitate simple technology transfer. The Praxis Ethiopia Foundation and The Praxis Ethiopia Alliance work in close partnership to assist Ethiopia’s restorative development. Millions of people have benefited from the on-going activities of Praxis Ethiopia.