BDU, (December 27, 2025) - Bahir Dar University has taken a leading role in addressing one of the region’s most pressing humanitarian challenges by hosting a high-level regional policy and program discussion forum focused on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The event was organised by the university’s Centre for Diplomacy and Foreign Policy in close partnership with the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat and the Amhara Regional Disaster Risk Management Commission.

Opening the forum, Dr Mengesha Ayene, President of Bahir Dar University, emphasised the critical socio-economic hardships currently facing displaced populations across the Amhara region. He argued that it is the fundamental duty of both governmental and non-governmental actors to collaborate on sustainable exit strategies that move beyond temporary aid. Dr Mengesha specifically called upon the academic community to lead with practical, independent research that integrates indigenous reconciliation methods with global expertise to solve deep-rooted community issues. He further stressed that the university must be a voice for the most vulnerable, ensuring that children, mothers, and the elderly receive the targeted support they require.

The university’s growing influence in national and regional affairs was further detailed by Dr Enbialle Beyene, Director of the Centre for Diplomacy and Foreign Policy. He highlighted that the centre is currently serving as a strategic hub for research into Ethiopian foreign relations and East African geopolitics. Beyond displacement issues, the centre is actively engaged in water diplomacy, international law, and analysing the security dynamics of the Red Sea and Horn of Africa. By providing specialised training in negotiation skills for civil servants and documenting Ethiopia’s diplomatic history through policy briefs and journals, the university is actively shaping the country’s future diplomatic landscape.

International and regional partners also contributed significant perspectives during the sessions. Dr Alemu Asfaw, Country Director of the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat, confirmed that his organisation is providing the technical and financial backing necessary to align IDP recovery efforts with established legal frameworks. Meanwhile, Ato Berhanu Zewdu, Deputy Commissioner of the Amhara Regional Disaster Risk Management Commission, reminded attendees of the extreme urgency of the situation. He noted that long-term displacement is creating a compounding crisis that threatens the social and political stability of the entire nation, requiring an immediate shift from emergency relief to permanent settlement solutions.

The forum concluded with a series of research presentations from Bahir Dar University scholars who explored the complex dimensions of displacement. These studies covered critical areas such as the protection of individuals from sexual exploitation and harassment, the psychological resilience of those in collective shelters, and the economic frameworks needed for successful social reintegration.

By hosting this comprehensive dialogue, Bahir Dar University has positioned itself as a primary architect in the effort to transition IDPs toward stable, productive lives through evidence-based policy and national cooperation.