The Nile Civil Society is advocating for an enabling environment in trans-boundary community development outreach, especially in the trans-boundary multipurpose Investments of the Baro-Akobo-Sobat and the Nyimur-Aswa community livelihood enhancement developments.
At the 11th Nile Day of February 2017, the Nile civil society considered the commemoration as the opportunity to all stakeholders, governments and communities to reflect on the role of the river Nile, that is to be share sustainably by all in the energy, food and the water it provides. Knowing that trans-boundary community development, are to the people, for the people and by the people.

The Nile Basin Discourse Board Chairperson Dr. Nadir Mohamed Awad in his speech and advocacy encouraged the Nile Governments and Development Partners to direct their efforts on two emerging issues on trans-boundary investment developments of the Nile Riparian States, thus:

(i) that Governments make effort in providing the enabling environment for development benefits to reach communities; and
(ii) that development partners implement agendas with minimal costs to the communities.

Welcome to the Nile Voices release for the 2nd quarter 2016, which illustrates various activities implemented in the 3 months of April to June. This edition exclusively focuses on NBD’s intervention on the ground. The attention was mainly given to Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan and Tanzania National Discourse Forums; and focus is on community livelihoods to highlight the role of NBD in fostering cooperation in the region.

Throughout the stories in this issue, one witnesses the contribution of Kenya National Discourse Forum (KNDF) to community development through ventures and sanitation activities. Also, in this issue, is the role of Tanzania National Discourse Forum (TNDF) as a point of reference on how NBD is helping, not only, government but also other partners to address community challenges that are not friendly to water resources management.

August 1st 2016, saw a visit to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) that was organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). Representatives of the visit included the team from the Media Houses of the Eastern Nile Countries of Egypt, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan; the Nile Basin Initiative’s - Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO), the NBI Secretariat; and the Nile Basin Discourse (NBD). NBD was represented by the NBD’s General Assembly representative from Egypt Ms Souzan Mohamed Zaki and the Regional Manager Ms. Hellen Natu. The visit was to observe and question the realities on the ground and develop a constructive media approach on the Eastern Nile.
Prior to the meeting, the group benefited from a number of presentations by experts.

According to Eng. Semegnew Bekele, the GERD - Project Manager, the GERD is to be the 8th biggest in the world. It has a 1,870 m long and 145 m high concrete dam, with spillways and a saddle dam. The reservoir area will cover 1,874 square kilometres at full supply level of 640 meters above sea level. It is being constructed for the purpose of generating electricity with total installed capacity of 6,000 MW. In addition, it is supposed to increase job opportunities, with outreach programs that reduce poverty and vulnerability taking in consideration gender issues.

With the GERD in focus, the NBD is keen on carrying the message vertically and horizontally through the pivotal points of messaging engagements towards (i) nurturing Nile cooperation and (ii) contributing towards participatory approach to development, fostering accountability and speed in response to emerging issues of development by governments and local people.
In a presentation made by the NBD Regional Manager, she stressed on the role of media and informed participants that in the NBD Strategy 2012 – 2017, media appears in strategic direction that establishes the Nile Media Platform. Also NBD’s network structure has involved media organizations that are active members of the network.  At this point in time, the NBD took the opportunity to announce the on-coming bi-annual platform of discourse and experience-sharing on emerging issues of cooperation and development on the Nile and beyond; the “Nile Basin Discourse Summit”.  
For more information on the GERD visit please download some of presentations here: