Shimelis Adugna is a distinguished Ethiopian humanitarian, public administrator, and development expert with a lifelong commitment to social welfare, disaster management, and human rights. Born on October 13, 1935, in Jijiga to a military family, his career spans decades of high-impact leadership in government and international agencies.
Education
· MA in Social Service Administration (1959-1961), Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Bombay, India. Awarded Best Student of the Year.
· BA in Education, University College of Addis Ababa.
· Completed primary and secondary education in Hararge and at General Wingate Secondary School.
Professional Career
· 1998: National Coordinator, Jobs for Africa Programme (ILO/UNDP)
· 1994-1997: Senior Special Advisor to the Country Representative, UNICEF Ethiopia
· 1993: Independent Consultant
· 1974-1983: Founding Commissioner, Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC)
· 1970-1974: Vice-Minister, Ministry of Interior (In charge of Correctional Institutions)
· 1967-1970: Founding Administrator, Road Transport Administration
Participation in Voluntary Work
1. Secretary, Social Service Society (1961-1963)
2. Vice President, Service Society (1963-1966)
3. Vice President, Ethiopian Council of Social Welfare (1965-1968)
4. Founding President, Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (1965-1983); currently serves as President Emeritus
5. Member, International Advisory Board of SOS Kinderdorf
6. Chairman, Board of Feed the Children Ethiopia (1987-1998)
7. Chairman, Advisory Board of Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief, Ethiopia
8. Member, International Advisory Board of SOS Kinderdorf International (1980-1998)
9. Founding Member, African Regional Council and Executive Committee of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)
10. Member, World IPPF Members Assembly Program Committee
11. Member, Board of Directors, Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief, Toronto
12. President, Ethiopian Heritage Trust (since 1993)
13. Chairperson, Board for Organization for Social Service for AIDS
14. President, Ethiopian Red Cross (since 2000)
15. Vice President, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Awards for Humanitarian Services
1. Golden Badge of Honour, SOS Kinderdorf, Austria
2. International Gold Mercury Award, Ad Personam
3. Certificate of Merit, International Planned Parenthood Federation (one of thirty-six worldwide) for services rendered to promote and strengthen family planning
4. Gold Medal, Spanish Red Cross for promoting and serving the Red Cross humanitarian cause to assist the most vulnerable
5. Gold Medal, Harare Region (2004) for contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS
6. Gold Medal, International Planned Parenthood Federation (August 2005) for service in family planning access and advocacy in Ethiopia and Africa
7. Award from the Society of Social Workers, Sociologists, Psychologists, and Social Anthropologists (2006) for outstanding service in the humanitarian field.
Jimma University awarded Honorary Doctorate to Shimelis Adugna on the 4th of January 2022 in recognition of outstanding selfless leadership qualities.