Welcome to the Website of the HBF office Addis Abeba
From left to right: Negash Mosque, Piece of Church Art, Saint George Church in Lalibela, Monk, Singer in a Church Choir. Photos by Christian Peters.
Welcome to our website. It is divided into our four program areas (Gender, Ecology, Democracy and African Union) as well as publications, information on our project partners and our news and events. We hope you will enjoy the site. Please feel free to contact us for further information.

Ecology

Kenyan Environmental Activist Wangari Maathai: Eulogy

November 10, 2011 - When Professor Wangari Muta Maathai passed away on September 25th in Nairobi, the world was united in sorrow, respect and admiration. Thousands of sympathy messages flooded Nairobi. Wangari Maathai was celebrated as an environmentalist and highly respected as a feminist, a fighter for human rights and as a green politician.

 

Barbara Unmüßig more»

Energy Study

Diversity and Security for the Ethiopian Power System A preliminary assessment of risks and opportunities for the power sector

- September 29, 2009 - Ethiopia, despite its recent rapid growth, is still among the least developed countries in the world. Its per-capita income is only US$896 [(in Purchasing Power Parity (IMF, 2009)] and it ranked 169 of 179 in the Human Development Index in 2006 (UNDP, 2008). Ethiopia’s stock of economic and social infrastructure is growing but is still considerably lower than the sub-Saharan average. Per-capita consumption of electricity is only 7% of the Sub-Saharan average and less than 20% of the population uses electricity. more»

Gender

Good Governance

Conflict and Peace in the Horn of Africa

Conference Proceedings - In Quest for a Culture of Peace in the IGAD Region

August 19, 2009 - A culture of violence has emerged in the Horn of Africa, based on traditions of origin, a fixation with territory, a feudal vision of the exercise of power and an "absolutist" concept of conflict. "In Quest for a Culture of Peace" proposes a holistic approach in addressing the region's conflicts. more»

African Union

The African Union and its Institutions

August 20, 2009 - THIS VOLUME, written by eminent scholars on Africa and practitioners who have worked in or with the African Union, is a particularly timely and welcome addition to the pioneering literature about our young institution. The African Union (AU) was born in Durban, South Africa, in July 2002, at a time when Africans were rediscovering a sense of pride in their continent and a desire to pursue an African Renaissance. more»

Publication

Green Forum Conference Proceedings No. 5

Connecting Biodiversity with People´s Wellbeing

September 1, 2011 -
Against the background of declining numbers of animal, plant and microbe species, including genetically important varieties essential for Ethiopia’s food sovereignty and economic growth, the Green Forum discussed the strong link between culture and environment. The presentations and discussion documented in the proceedings highlight the important roles of both public institutions and local cultures to the conservation of biodiversity and make suggestions of how to strengthen and supports their efforts. 
more»

Green Forum Conference Proceedings No. 4

Ensuring Energy Security in a Changing Climate

- November 11, 2011 -

The Ethiopian energy system relies on hydropower for 95% of its electricity production. Despite a growing electricity demand estimated at 13% per year, the dependence on hydropower is expected to reach nearly 100% by 2015. Along with the benefits of high specialization on hydropower, there are risks related to the vulnerability of the power system to natural hazards. Climate change, with its changing rainfall and temperature patterns, will affect both water and biomass resources and increase the country’s vulnerability as a result.

Vulnerability of the power system and its potential environmental, economic and social impacts can be mitigated through diversification of the power generation mix. In addition to hydropower, Ethiopia has considerable potential to produce energy from other resources such as geothermal, wind, biomass and solar energy.

The Green Forum 2009 explored possible strategies to make better use of Ethiopia’s diverse resources for power generation with a view to reducing the country’s vulnerability to natural and economic uncertainties. 

more»
News and Events
Our office is moving

Our office is moving during the last week of December 2011. It will be likely that we are not reachable via our fixed lines during that time. In urgent cases you can reach us at 0911-859693. In general our phone numbers are not changing, they should be working as of 9 January 2012.

We are looking forward to welcome you at our new office next year.

Raising Awareness on Air Pollution
This video was produced during a training workshop on short movies, organized by the Heinrich Boell Foundation in cooperation with the Ethiopian Film Initiative in October 2011.
GreenTech Blog Perspectives SurvivArt
Headquarters in Berlin and Regional office of Heinrich Boell Foundation Nairobi
Reflections Publication Series on Gender