Do you think that the lifestyle of the inhabitants of your town or city reflects behavior that is in line with the concept of sustainable development? In your opinion, what should be improved?

1. Do you think that the lifestyle of the inhabitants of your town or city reflects behavior that
is in line with the concept of sustainable development? In your opinion, what should be
improved?
IE Application: Question G
Author: Muluken Nigussie Tessema

2. sustainable development
The concept of sustainable development was
introduced by the World Commission on
Environment and Development’s report
“Our common Future” in 1987, as
“development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own
needs”.

3. What does it mean?
Meeting the needs of the future depends by our capability to balance
economic, environmental and social goals when making decision today

4. What does it happen in my hometown, Addis Ababa?
• Addis Ababa came into existence in 1886 as a mineral springs
resort for Ethiopia's royal family and nobility.
• This historically significant city in its enchanting mountain setting is
recognized as one of the world¹s most problematic, yet fascinating
and beautiful cities.

5. What does it depend on?
• Its country's border war with Eritrea and unsteady relationship with
Somalia have put a heavy burden on Addis Ababa as it has become a
center for refugees whom it cannot support.
• Rapid population growth has created slums. Some areas have 200
people per acre, living in ramshackle attached houses built without
regard to sanitation or drainage. In most areas the rich and poor live as
neighbors, though many of the wealthiest people live in the southeast
and southwest sections of the city.

6. What does it depend on?
Addis Ababa is an important administrative center not only for Ethiopia
but also for the whole of Africa. The headquarters of the African Union
and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa can both be
found in the city.

7. What does it depend on?
The United States and the European Union both have two delegations
in Addis Ababa, one for bilateral relations with Ethiopia and one for the
African Union.
Ethiopia and its capital city have become a source of pride for the Pan-
African movement due to its indigenous character and the legacy of the
Abyssinian Empire.

8. Is it just a «local» problem?
Unlike many other African capitals, the founding, growth and
development of Addis Ababa are not rooted in colonization.

9. Is it just a «local» problem?
Today it is a sprawling urban area and commercial center of close to 8
million people. The population has swelled in recent years as refugees
from the war-torn countryside of Ethiopia have streamed in, looking for
jobs and security.
Inside Addis Ababa is the Mercato, one of the largest open-air markets
in Africa.

10. Improvements
• Be inclusive.
• Commitments have been made in Addis to curb inequalities among
and within countries, like allocating half of all ODA to Least Developed
Countries (LDCs), and establishing a Technology Facilitation
Mechanism.
• Much enhanced technology cooperation and capacity building will be
critical indeed to enable vulnerable populations to implement this
transformative agenda, while generating local jobs, innovation and
growth.
•More public intervention, innovative financing and partnerships are
also necessary to channel funds toward the populations most in need
and to small and medium-sized enterprises in risky environments.