The Forum of Federations initiated the International Conferences on Federalism (ICF) in 1999 with the first conference held in Mt. Tremblant, Canada.

This was followed by a second conference in 2002 in St. Gallen, Switzerland, a third in Brussels, Belgium, in 2005, and a fourth in New Delhi, India, in 2007.

Ethiopia will host the 5th IFC from 13 to 16 December 2010 in Addis Ababa.

This will be the latest in a series of unique, practitioner-oriented conferences designed as a forum for experience sharing on issues related to federalism.

Ethiopia was nominated to host the event during the 4th ICF held in New Delhi India based on the invitation extended by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

“We have come to realize that federalism is perhaps the best means of accommodating diversity,” noted the Premier in his announcement that Ethiopia would host the 5th ICF.

According to a statement from Office of the 5th ICF, the conference will bring together over 500 participants from across a 100 nations around the globe.

These include politicians, civil servants, academicians, institutions, civil society organizations and think-thanks working on issues related to federalism.

The event will take place at the Millennium hall where a cultural show will be hosted on the opening day and at the United Nations Conference Center.

4,000 people will attend the opening ceremony at the Millennium Hall on December 13.

The conference will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in the presence of a number of heads of state and government of various other countries.

Topics to be covered include Federalism and the Democratization Process; the Impacts of Regionalization and Globalization on Federations; Unity in Diversity through Federalism; Federalism and Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution Mechanisms; and Fiscal Federalism and Equitable Development.

The Forum on Federation and the Ethiopian Government are jointly organizing the event, which will be held under the theme ‘Equality and Unity in Diversity for Development’.

This is the first time the IFC is being hosted by an African country.

ETV Reports