:: Bulawayo Agenda Activities

bulawayo... gwanda... gweru... hwange... lupane... matobo... nkayi... plumtree... tsholotsho... victoria falls...

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Bulawayo Agenda is an organisation whose core business is to provide a space for citizens' participation through public debate, discussion and dialogue meetings on various topical issues. Themes such as economic crisis, governance, rule of law, democracy, constitution, elections, and social justice are discussed. The presenters to these dialogue meetings are drawn from the various players in the country such as opposition parties, government, churches, civil society organisations, media and interested groups. Public dialogue meetings have been chosen because they enable the members of the larger community to participate without fear since the platform is impartial.

The stated overall objective of the Local Government Capacity Building Project is to strengthen the capacities and resources of decentralized structures of state administration and the representatives of the population in rural and peri-urban regions of Matabeleland to support increased dialogue and common decision making. The Local Government Capacity Building programme entails two major activities; these are the conducting of training courses for up to 320 representatives of civil society organizations, community leaders and local government as well as conducting Focus Group Conversations. This project was conceived with the aim of promoting a smooth interface between local authorities, community leadership, civil society and traditional leaders.These leaders, although with different roles to play have one common goal, and that is to move their communities forward.

There is therefore need to create a shared vision and understanding of issues of local governance in each sector of the community and at all levels of leadership. This project aims to equip participants with the necessary skills that will enable them to form synergies with other sectors of their communities, effectively manage change and conflict as well confront inequalities and celebrate diversity in their communities. Another key task of the project is to equip civil society, residents associations, traditional leaders and local authorities with theoretical and organisational skills that shall enhance their contribution in the democratisation process, promotion of good governance as well as capacitate them to successfully implement their tasks.

The official launch of this programme took place on 5 June 2006. This launch brought together 80 men and women from the four project areas which were Gwanda, Bulilima, Victoria Falls and Nkayi. To date, two intakes of 80 participants each have completed the programme. Currently undergoing training is the third intake with participants coming from, Mangwe, Umzingwane, Victoria Falls, Hwange, Lupane and Nkayi. The groups of participants go through four training modules in which they look at various aspects of local governance and leadership. The groups also hold focus group conversations in which they discuss in great depth issues of local governance affecting their particular areas.

Another key task of the organization is creating a space for debate among the civil society leaders and operatives. The aim of creating this platform is to raise the level of understanding of current developments in Zimbabwe. Operatives meet on a bi-weekly basis for the purposes of debating or discussing the political, social and / or economic developments of the month. In other words, the focus groups review the political developments, human rights cases and economic crisis as well as share experiences.

The 'Civil Society Leadership Development Project' is a unique interactive programme that seeks to consolidate and deepen the process of building a strong layer of leadership within civil society. Its main aim is to assist in equipping activists, human rights defenders and advocates with theoretical and organizational skills that shall enhance their contribution in the democratization processes and promotion of good governance.
The programme focuses on local human rights defenders and activists drawn from faith-based organisations, media, residents' associations, women and youth organizations, and community based organisations and civil society in general.

The ideas generated from the focus group conversations are compiled into a booklet or occasional papers. The publication, like the one you are currently reading, consists of papers presented in different areas that are Bulawayo, Gwanda, Gweru, Lupane, Nkayi, Plumtree, Gweru and Victoria Falls. The booklets are distributed in both the urban and rural communities.

Democracy Centre refers to a civic society centre where civil society leaders and operatives, human rights defenders, activists, community leaders and any other interested individuals meet to share some notes, experiences and information. The Bulawayo Agenda civic centre is equipped with newspapers, conference reports, publications on human rights, democracy, rule of law, governance and economic and social justice publications.

Our networking programme involves organizing continuous and comprehensive communication with all stakeholders.
The organization promotes solidarity networks among human rights defenders in order to keep them posted with the latest developments in the country. The civil society organisations are encouraged to have joint activities so as to utilize the synergies created by working together. Networking is part of the lifeline of the organisation, drawing competencies from its established stakeholders.

Facilitating the birth of nine regional chapters which are Gwanda, Gweru, Hwange, Lupane, Matopo, Nkayi, Plumtree, Tsholotsho and Victoria Falls.
Hosting one major conference/convention every year on various topics; the largest to date being the 2007 all stakeholders’ convention, attended by just under 1000 delegates.
Holding unique, interactive and highly informative leadership development training programme and local governance capacity building programme.
Maintaining a steadily growing staff compliment of young and dedicated individuals, from3 members in 2002 to 19 members in 2007.
Operating a vibrant Democracy centre and establishing regional Democracy centres
Receiving the accolade of being known as the leaders in public dialogue throughout Matabeleland and Midlands
Producing a constant output of informative publications
Being constantly at the realm of political, social and economic developments in the country.
Maintaining steady synergies with other likeminded and progressive organisations
Providing the space for citizens to debate and dialogue on topical issues that affect them in their various communities