Background Information of the Center
The field of research on environment and society is growing rapidly and becoming of ever-greater importance not only in academia but also in policy circles and for the public at large. This growth reflects the urgency of debate and the pace and scale of change with respect to the water crisis, deforestation, biodiversity loss, the looming energy crisis, nascent resource wars, environmental refugees, climate change, and environmental justice, which are just some of the many compelling challenges facing society today and in the future. It also reflects the richness and insights of scholarship exploring diverse cultural forms, social phenomena, and political-economic formations in which society and nature are intricately intertwined, if not indistinguishable.
Based on the above premises, Wallaga University established Center for the Studies of Environment and Society at director level in 2007 (currently renamed as Center for the Studies of Environment and Natural Resources/CSENR) with the objectives of organizing and undertaking research activities related to environment and natural Resource Management comprising seven unites under it: However, health and Nutrition and education units have no researcher and currently only five units are functional . The units under the center are:
- Health and Nutrition
- Rural Development
- Urban planning and Development
- Gender and Good Governance
- Culture and tourism
- Education and
- Natural Resource Management
Currently, each unite is staffed with one to four staff members. The centre is undertaking problem solving thematic –based applied research activities and community service by these seven unites. The Center has the following mandate and duties:
- Conducts integrated problem solving researches
- Undertakes mega research projects in the priority areas of the University
- Organizes and conducts seminars and workshops
- Create linkage and work with stakeholders and partners
- Publishes and distributes research results on reputable journals;
- Provides Community services