B r i t a i n Z i m b a b w e S o c i e t y
OF Report Section 1
Concept and themes of the Open Forum 2006
The Open Forum 2006 on Zimbabwe: Skills and Reconstruction was the third in a popular series of events aimed in particular at the Zimbabwean and South Africa Diasporas in the UK. These are all designed to be inclusive, non-partisan, non-governmental forums to analyze and debate the situation in Zimbabwe, its relationship with South Africa and the wider African region, and the avenues for action to bring about democratic, peaceful change. They were all convened by the Britain Zimbabwe Society in association with a number of other organizations.
The first Open Forum was held on 28 th February 2004 and brought together Zimbabweans and South Africans in the UK to promote their mutual engagement with the Southern African region, and to explore the parallels in their experience of advocacy and solidarity as Diasporic communities (see Report on the Open Forum on Zimbabwe and South Africa, 28 th February 2004, BZS ). The second Open Forum was held on 4 th June 2005, and focused on the role of civil society in defending rights, the potential of institutional instruments such as the AU to promote change, and an appraisal of the use of anti-imperialist frameworks in understanding the situation in Zimbabwe (see Report on the Open Forum 2005 on Zimbabwe, South Africa, and the Region, 4 th June 2005, BZS) .
Open Forum 2006 had as its focus the skills profile of the Zimbabwean Diaspora (especially in the UK) and their role in Zimbabwe's future economic, social and constitutional reconstruction, with particular, but not exclusive, emphasis on the sectors of health and education. It was held in London on Saturday 16 September 2006, and organized by the Britain Zimbabwe Society in association with the International Liaison Office of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, the Zimbabwe Association, Zimbabwe Futures, WEZIMBABWE, WOZA Solidarity Group, End the Silence, Canon Collins Trust, Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), the Centre of African Studies at London University, and the Royal Africa Society (RAS).
Aims of the Open Forum 2006
- To bring together the Zimbabwean and South Africans in the UK, with participants from other African countries and the British constituency of interest in Southern Africa
- To inform and educate about current developments in Zimbabwe and the region appertaining to Zimbabwe's prospects for peaceful and democratic constitutional change and for economic and social recovery.
- To stimulate and support an open, inclusive and constructive debate on the needs for skills and capacities in the promotion of democratic governance, human rights, economic and social recovery in Zimbabwe and the contribution of the Zimbabwean Diaspora in particular to meeting these needs.
- To support the ongoing efforts by civil society organizations in Zimbabwe and its Diaspora to make effective use of skills and capacities in bringing about peaceful and democratic change and recovery.
- To facilitate and support networking and relationship building between individuals and civil society organizations in Zimbabwe, South Africa and the region, and wider international constituencies of relevance.
Challenges and concerns
The particular theme chosen for Open Forum 2006 presented a number of challenges for the Zimbabwean Diaspora that the panelists and audience addressed:
- how to grow skills and not lose them whilst living away from home
- how to link needs in Zimbabwe with skills in the Diaspora
- how to maintain links between the Diaspora and civil society in Zimbabwe
It was envisaged that a statement of principles might be presented to the Open Forum as a focus for discussion and possible endorsement, covering the following broad areas of concern:
- the flight of skills from Zimbabwe
- the loss of skills in the Diaspora and the wastage of human resources through inappropriate employment, underemployment and unemployment the need for education to maintain and develop skills and capacities
- the potential of the Diaspora to promote and support reconstruction
- support for practical initiatives to address these issues
Expected outcomes
- Awareness - clearer understanding of the skills profile of the Zimbabwean Diaspora and its dynamics as a potential agent in the transformation of Zimbabwe
- Networking - stronger links between civil society organizations in the UK , South Africa and in Zimbabwe
- Advocacy - support for civil society advocacy efforts directed at utilizing, enhancing and developing Zimbabwean skills and capacities in the interests of Zimbabwean recovery and transformation
Format and programme
The Open Forum 2006 was held in the University of London Union. There were two panels of speakers, each chaired by a facilitator who encouraged discussion and interaction amongst panelists and audience, with a final wrap-up session focusing on possible ways forward.
Panel 1: Issues and challenges - the Zimbabwean Diaspora and its dynamics
Panel 2: The Zimbabwean Diaspora as an agent for change and transformation - Ideas and proposals for action
Closing session: Ways forward – Consolidation of broad principles and action points
Speakers
Speakers were selected for their knowledge and expertise relating to some or all of the following areas of experience:
- The Zimbabwean Diaspora in the UK
- The Zimbabwean Diaspora in South Africa
- The experience of a Diaspora returning from exile in the post-independence or post-conflict period in South Africa or elsewhere in Africa
- The health and education sectors inside Zimbabwe
- Solidarity and practical support action in the UK
Publicity and promotion
The Forum was publicized as widely and inclusively as possible, with invitations issued to a range of Zimbabwean, South African and Africanorganizations based in the UK, and to UK organizations with an interest in Zimbabwe and the region. Professional and trade union networks in the UK concerned with the particular theme of the Open Forum were approached to support the event, in particular in the UK health and education sectors.
Background
Open Forum 2004 and 2005 both attracted an attendance of around 300 people, the majority of them Zimbabwean, and stimulated spirited and constructive debate. Open Forum 2006 followed the model of previous Open Forums in seeking to attract a large and diverse audience and encouraging their active participation, ideas and perspectives.
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REVISED PROGRAMME
OPEN FORUM 2006ZIMBABWE: SKILLS AND RECONSTRUCTION
Saturday 16th September 2006, ULU, University of London Union
Malet Street, London WC1E 7HY1.30pm Doors open
2.00pm Welcome & introduction to the afternoon
2.00-3.30pm Panel 1: Issues and challenges - the Zimbabwean Diaspora and its dynamics Chair - Lela Kogbara, Chair, Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA); Panel Speakers: Dr Stephen Munjanja, consultant obstetrician, Harare Hospital Thabitha Khumalo, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions with Contributions from the floor and open discussion
3.30-4.00pm Refreshment break
4.00-5.00pm Panel 2: The Zimbabwean Diaspora as an agent for change and transformation Chair - Jeremy Dear, National Union of Journalists; Panel speaker - Rev Nicholas Mkaronda, Coordinator in South Africa, Crisis Coalition of Zimbabwe; Speakers from the UK - Shane Lunga, Zimbabwe Futures, and Forward Maisokwadzo, Association of Zimbabwean Journalists in the UK.
5.00-5.30pm Ways forward - principles and action points 6.00pm Forum ends* * * * *
On the Day
The Open Forum 2006 was divided into two consecutive sessions with interlocking themes. Session I was chaired by Lela Kogbara, who is currently the Chair of Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) the successor body to the Anti-Apartheid Movement. Session II was chaired by Jeremy Dear, the General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists and a member of the TUC General Council.
As the convenor of the Forum’s organizing group, Margaret Ling opened the proceedings at 2pm by welcoming the speakers and participants; she thanked everyone for coming and relayed a number of housekeeping matters.
Margaret also pointed out that the original programme had included Raymond Majongwe, the General Secretary of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, as a speaker on Panel 1. She expressed her regret and dismay that Raymond was not present, and explained that earlier in the week Raymond had been informed that the UK authorities had refused him an entry visa. Margaret outlined the indignation of the Forum’s organizing group at this unexpected and inexplicable decision, describing it as counter-productive. Raymond’s experience in the key sector of education qualified him to make a significant contribution to any discussion of skills, particularly in relation to both the challenges confronting the Diaspora in the UK, and also the process of reconstructing Zimbabwe. Raymond did however send a copy of his presentation to the Forum and this has been reproduced in Appendix II of this Report.
Margaret then informed the Forum that Raymond Majongwe had in fact been arrested by the police in Zimbabwe during the peaceful protest marches that had taken place around the country and that were so violently disrupted by the ZRP on Wednesday 13 September. Raymond was one of 180 members of the ZCTU who were severely assaulted, arrested, taken into custody and tortured as a result of their demonstration demanding a living wage and anti-retroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV/AIDS (see presentation of Thabitha Khumalo for more on this). Margaret drew the attention of the audience to the press statements issued by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, and the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights concerning this incident. These were circulated around the room and are reproduced in Appendix III of this report.
The Open Forum 2006 attracted a lively audience of over 200 people. The following pages deliver the substance of the key presentations and of contributions from the floor.
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