Mekdelawit Messay Deribe

PhD Student at Florida International University

Abstract

The future of Ethiopia is contingent on the sustainable and utilization of its resources. Water is by far the major resource that Ethiopia has. However, much of the water resources of the country are shared with neighboring countries and utilization of these shared resources necessitates collaboration at all scales. Moreover, the utilization of water resources has broader economic and environmental implications for sustainable development. Efforts to utilize shared resources in Ethiopia spans generations with tangible results being seen at present, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance dam being a prominent example. However, the road towards equitable and sustainable utilization of Ethiopia’s resources is just beginning and the responsibility of ensuring Ethiopia utilizes its resources for its development and betterment of its people falls on the youth. This presentation will explore how the youth is instrumental in ensuring the long term, equitable and sustainable use of resources to realize Ethiopia’s renaissance.