Arba Minch University (AMU) School of Law, in collaboration with GIZ Better Migration Management (GIZ-BMM), hosted a research validation workshop on June 18, 2026, at Haile Resort in Arba Minch. The workshop reviewed the findings and recommendations of a project entitled “Climate-Conflict Mitigation and Enhanced Inclusion and Protection of Migrants, Victims of Trafficking, and Displaced Persons in the South Omo–Turkana Region, across the Ethiopia - Kenya Border. The event also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AMU and AGAR Ethiopia to strengthen collaboration in areas of mutual interest. Click here to see more photos.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Tolera Seda, AMU Community Engagement and Industry Linkage Director and a representative of the AMU President, commended GIZ-BMM and the organizers for successfully facilitating the workshop. He noted that the forum serves as an important platform for discussing migration, climate change, conflict mitigation, and human trafficking issues affecting cross-border communities. Dr. Tolera emphasized the need for evidence-based interventions and strong partnerships among universities, government institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners, reaffirming AMU’s commitment to using research and community engagement to address societal challenges.
Mr. Abreham Kinfe, Dean of the School of Law, stated that the workshop was organized to validate the project's findings and recommendations through broad stakeholder engagement. He noted that the event brought together researchers, practitioners, faith-based organizations, civil society actors, and development partners to examine the interconnected challenges of climate change, conflict migration, human trafficking, and displacement. Mr. Abreham underscored that participants’ contributions would help refine the research findings and inform practical interventions for affected communities. The collaboration between AMU and AGAR Ethiopia has already yielded promising results through the joint development of innovative research and development initiatives, demonstrating the value of partnerships in addressing migration and protection challenges, he further highlighted.
Speaking on behalf of GIZ-BMM, Ms. Israel Degu highlighted the unique challenges facing the South Omo–Turkana corridor, where climate change, resource-based conflicts, migration, displacement, and human trafficking are closely interconnected. She noted that recurring droughts, floods, environmental degradation, and diminishing livelihood opportunities continue to place significant pressure on communities in the region. Ms. Israel explained that the BMM Programme supported the research to generate evidence on the links between climate change, conflict, and human mobility, and to identify practical solutions that strengthen protection systems and promote durable solutions for vulnerable populations.
The research findings were presented by Dr. Prem Sam Ponniah and Mr. Dagnachew Worku of AMU School of Law under the title, “Climate-Conflict Mitigation and Enhanced Inclusion and Protection of Migrants, Victims of Trafficking, and Displaced Persons in the South Omo–Turkana Cross-Border Region (Ethiopia–Kenya).” Presenting the study, Dr. Sam stated that the workshop was designed to bring together key stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities related to climate-induced conflicts, migration, human trafficking, displacement, and cross-border cooperation in the region. He further noted that the initiative was supported through the Better Migration Management (BMM) Programme, implemented by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union in partnership with AMU.
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AMU and AGAR Ethiopia to strengthen collaboration in supporting vulnerable populations in Southern Ethiopia. The partnership focuses on livelihoods improvement, protection services, skills development, entrepreneurship, legal aid, shelter support, and joint research on migration and displacement. As part of their growing collaboration, the two institutions have also jointly developed and submitted a project proposal entitled “Safe Corridors: Operationalizing AU–EU Migration Dialogue Commitments through Protection, Trafficking Prevention, and Evidence Generation in the Ethiopia–Kenya–South Sudan Borderlands” under the ICMPD-supported MMD III Programme. The MoU was signed by Dr. Tolera Seda, representing AMU, and Ambassador Dr. Abera Adeba, Executive Director of AGAR Ethiopia Charitable Society.
The event brought together AMU senior officials, faculty members from the School of Law, representatives of GIZ-BMM and AGAR Ethiopia, experts from the Centre for Human Rights at Addis Ababa University, officials from justice sector institutions, representatives of the Catholic Mission–Kenya, and other invited stakeholders.
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