ESTABLISHMENT 

The Ethiopian Society of Sociologists, Social Workers and Anthropologists (ESSSWA) was founded in June 1996 as a professional society of sociologists, social workers and anthropologists with full legal recognition in April 1997.  

MISSION 

Promoting professional competence and ethics through the profession of Sociology Social work and Anthropology are effectively, consistently and widely used in poverty alleviation, democratization processes, development endeavours and other social issues 

STRATEGIES            

·      Carry out operational research on social and cultural factors with implications on policies and procedures to provide guidance;

·      Create opportunities for members for exchange of ideas and experiences with other professional associations; 

·      Organise advocacy, discussion forums among members, professionals, policy legislatures and executives;  

·      Establish smooth and valid networking and mechanisms of information flow between members on the one hand and the association and key stakeholders (Government, Civil Society Organisations, private sectors and the public at large) at different levels. 

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES 

The supreme body of the association is the general assembly composed of all members.  ESSSWA is managed by elected executive committee composed of nine individuals. The executive committee is elected by the General Assembly based on their competence, potential contribution and commitment to advance the objectives of the association. The committee is responsible to plan and monitor implementation of planned activities. The committee meets once in a month to ensure smooth operation of the association’s planned activities. The day to day routines are being tracked and implemented by administrative office bearers recruited by the association.  

LOCATION OF THE ASSOCIATION 

ESSSWA’s office is located at the Department of Sociology and Social Administration, Addis Ababa University in the Social Sciences Building - room 275. Depending on needs and prevailing contexts effort will be made to ensure presence of ESSSWA chapters in the major regions of the country.  

MEMBERSHIP 

ESSSWA has three forms of membership based on expectations and roles in the associations. 

1. Full Members

All Ethiopians and non-Ethiopians who have a minimum of a formal training in the areas of Sociology, Social Work, Anthropology and Development Studies are potential full members. Full membership to the association follows formal application to become a member and submission of relevant credentials. Full members pay Birr 10 for registration and Birr 50 annual membership fee.  

2. Associate Members

Such membership is open to all Ethiopians and non-Ethiopians who have a formal tertiary level training in any social science, environmental science, and public health humanities, and subscribe to the objectives of the association. Associate members are expected to pay a registration fee of Birr 10 and an annual membership fee of Birr 50. 

3. Institutional Members

Institutional membership is open to all Ethiopian and other institutions within and outside the country that subscribe to the objectives of the Society. Institutional members are expected to pay a registration fee of Birr 150 and an annual membership fee of Birr 100. 

ACHIEVEMENTS OF ESSSWA 

The Association has organised series of workshops and annual conferences on important development issues. Accordingly,

·      A national workshop on the roles of indigenous institutions in development endeavours; debate on globalisation, culture and society; urban issues in the 21^st century and youth and HIV/AIDS have been organized and brainstorming and action points were drawn. Out comes of such workshops were found extremely useful in guiding government sectors, civil society organizations, private sector and the public at large to recognize the state of the art in the respective areas. Furthermore, the workshops provided opportunities for members and other stakeholders to be part of the discourse in the respective areas. 

·      ESSSWA has sponsored the publication of important materials and proceedings based on several workshops organised. Such materials are believed to contribute to the literature in the field of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology. The materials are also important references in the areas of settlement, culture dynamics and economic development. 

PRIORITY AREAS FOR ESSSWA’S FUTURE INTERVENTIONS  

1.      Policy Dialogue and Advocacy

·      Identify policy gaps within the framework of the association’s objective and design critical strategies to bridge such gaps

·      Actively engage in the policy consultation, development and review processes 

2.      Research and Consultancy

·      Collaborate with government, civil society organizations, and bilateral and multilateral organizations to define socio-cultural contexts so as to promote and meet the goals of such national commitments as SDPRP, MDG and food security.

·      Design social and cultural frame of reference for mitigation of harmful practices, infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS. 

3.      Partnership and Networking

Advocates the roles of the Association in development endeavours and ensure that the association has appropriate space in the country’s social, economic, cultural and political developments