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Ethiopian Civil Service University academic and administration staff and more than 2700 students unanimously agreed to give their support for the construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam. The University community expressed their support after discussing on the issue on April 12, 2011.

The community through their representatives say that the dam will remain the endowment of the next generations therefore we can and shall do it by ourselves – with our money, knowledge, labor or other sacrifice that may be required. They on the occasion decided to pledge their one month salary, buy bonds collectively and individually and lobby the project.

Honorable Dr. Hailemichael Aberra, President of the University, said on the occasion that the Grand Renaissance Dam opens new era in Ethiopian history. Dr. Hailemichael said

"The day the Prime Minister laid the corner stone to build the Dam is a special day for the Ethiopian people and government as it marks the supremacy of their developmental and democratic system. This is the result of the great efforts of the Ethiopian government and the people"

Dr. Hailemichael also said for the last many years, due to the wrong attitude and perception among those downstream countries mainly Egypt and Sudan, Ethiopia was hindered from using her own water resource. But this is a traditional thinking and we need to change this into modern and scientific one. From the project the downstream countries would benefit a lot. Therefore they should understand the reality and contribute positively towards the implementation of the project, said Dr. Hailemichael.

Ato Teshome Tafesse and Dr. Teshome Adugna from Institute of Leadership and Good Governance and student Fikeremariam Dejene presented papers on the international, economic and social aspects of the project.

Different literary works which focused on Abay River were presented in the occasion.