A workshop on strengthening links between policy and research for sustainable development in the Lake Tana basin prepared by Blue Nile Water Institute BDU’s took place on November 18, 2014, on the presence of American Ambassador. 

The workshop was conducted with the objective of linking between decision-making and research leading to the realization of sustainabledevelopment.

The Lake Tana basin which is dynamic is experiencing a significant population, economic, ecosystem and social changes as well as other issues like urbanization, intensification of rural land use, environmental degradation and climate change deserve critical attention.

The workshop was also intended to help participants identify specific policy-relevant research direction and to promote a continuous dialogue between researchers and policy makers.

Using structured system thinking process, participants were made to identify major problematic development trends, related policy questions and research needs; then develop system maps from discussions about what causes those problematic trends.

While addressing the participants of the workshop, the Ambassador of USA to Ethiopia, Mrs. Patricia Haslach, expressed that USG is pleased to work with Bahir Dar University in this area of the link between decision-makers and researchers.

Mrs. Patricia Haslach said that one area of that USG extends its support to development endeavor in Ethiopia is through assisting through such exchanges as the Fulbright program which brings US scholars to Ethiopia.

Thirty five policy experts and scientists were engaged in the discussion. Researchers from Bahir Dar University and Addis Ababa University, in the areas of social, economic and ecological aspects of Lake Tana, and representative of regional environment and development bureaus have participated in the workshop