By Edward Makuzva
The Citizens Manifesto, a convergence platform of civic organizations, will convene the second National Citizens’ Convention on 24 and 25 September 2019, in Harare.
Addressing journalists, at a press conference, today in the capital, Citizens Manifesto Convener, Briggs Bomba said the Convection seeks to map, what civil society considers, a sustainable path out of Zimbabwe’s acute socio-economic and political crisis.
Bomba added that the convection is set to proffer solutions to the multifaceted challenges in the country which are affecting the majority of the ordinary citizens and it is therefore a platform for citizens to critically and objectively come up with actionable solutions to the country.
“Convection participants will come up with a plan of action to be adopted by participating organizations in their advocacy for a just, democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe.
“Key issues and questions to be addressed at the convection include how to build a sustainable economy that works for all, the quest real participatory democracy and the road map for achieving social cohesion.
“There will be a deliberation on national healing and reconciliation, the state of social service delivery, the need for reforms that place Citizens’ rights at the center of governance as well as guarantee free, fair, credible elections and other pertinent human rights issues”, Bomba explained.
The Convection is running under the hashtags, #ItsUsNow #ZimbabweTogetherWeFixIt and #ABetterZimbabweForAll. The convection will draw participants from civic organizations, social movements, labour, youth, women, community groups, business, faith based organizations, representatives from the international community and the Diaspora.
Citizens’ Manifesto is a voluntary convergence platform for progressive civic society organizations and activists working towards a better Zimbabwe for all through deliberative dialogue processes the initiative is contributing towards building national consensus on the future that citizens want.
The Citizens Manifesto Convener highlighted that the Convection takes place against a background of a similar event in July 2018 and last year the event was graced by luminaries from the elders including the late former Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan and Mary Robinson, the former President of Ireland.
Gomba said during last year’s Convection Citizens’ made a request to The Elders to consider playing a role in mediating across the political divide to come up with greater urgency given the deepening national crisis.
He said hundreds of delegates are expected at the Convection’s main venue and thousands more will participate through interactive media platforms.
Stakeholders which are ready to participate for the event includes Magamba Network, ZINASU, SAPES Trust, National Association of Youths Organizations( NAYO), Economic Justice for Women Project, Harare Residents Trust and many more.
Meanwhile, Citizens Manifesto is a solidarity platform to amplify citizens’ voice and action and is not a separate organization.
Add comment