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OPEN FORUM 2005
on ZIMBABWE, SOUTH AFRICA & the REGIONSaturday 4th June 2005, 2pm-5.30pm (doors open 1.30pm)
Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS),
Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG
(nearest tube Russell Square)Organised by the Britain Zimbabwe Society in association with the Zimbabwe Association,
the International Liaison Office of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum,
the REDRESS Trust, the Canon Collins Educational Trust for Southern Africa,
End the Silence, Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), Article 19,
the Centre of African Studies, London University, the Royal Africa Society (RAS).CONTRIBUTORS INCLUDE:Gabriel Shumba, Zimbabwean human rights lawyer and torture victim, Centre for Human Rights,
South Africa, and director of Zimbabweans in Exile ForumAhmed Motala, Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, Johannesburg
Gugulethu Moyo, International Bar Association
Elinor Sisulu, South African office of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
Brian Raftopoulos, Institute of Development Studies, University of Zimbabwe
Wilf Mbanga, editor, The Zimbabwean
WHAT IS THE OPEN FORUM ABOUT?
The Open Forum is a non-governmental, non-politically partisan forum to analyse and debate the crisis in Zimbabwe, and its relationship with South Africa and the wider African region.It will focus on the role of civil society in Africa in defending human rights, and the tools available for promoting change.
Its aims are:
* To bring together Zimbabweans, South Africans and others from the region in the UK
* To provide information about developments concerning Zimbabwe and its neighbours
* To support open, inclusive and constructive debate
* To support networking and relationship building
* To support the advocacy efforts of civil society organisations in Zimbabwe and the region in defence of human rights, justice and democracy in ZimbabweThe Open Forum will encourage audience participation. There will be two panels of speakers, with a chair who will encourage discussion both amongst panelists and with the audience.
PROGRAMME1.30pm Doors open
2.00-3.30pm Panel 1: Human rights instruments as tools for civil society
The African Commission on Human and People's Rights and other human rights instruments of the African Union (AU) seem remote from ordinary people. What are their possibilities? How can they be used most effectively? Do they offer avenues for resisting or challenging state power? How do rights even offer simple protection or basic remedies to ordinary people? Might they become more ambitious instruments of transformation?
3.30-4.00pm Refreshments
4.00-5.30pm Panel 2: An anti-imperialist framework for understanding Zimbabwe
One of ZANU PF's key strategies has been to present its actions as anti-imperialist measures in a continuing process of liberation for Zimbabwe. The argument that 'you are either for us or for the colonial oppressors' has polarized politics, made it impossible for an alternative indigenous opposition to emerge, disqualified any external support, particularly from Britain, and labelled any externally voiced critique of the ZANU analysis as neo-imperialist. To unlock solidarity and support from civil society organizations outside of Zimbabwe, a clear analysis is needed.
The two panels together are designed to reach a clearer understanding of the Zimbabwean government's relationships within the region and internationally, and to contribute to developing strategy for civil society organizations in South Africa, the region and Britain.
6.00pm Forum ends
OPEN TO ALL
A warm invitation is extended to all Zimbabweans, South Africans and others from the region, and all friends of Zimbabwe who are concerned that democracy, human rights and prosperity are restored in Zimbabwe as quickly as possible and are interested in finding peaceful and constructive ways of working together.
Entrance to the Open Forum is free of charge but advance registration is invited
For enquiries & advance registration please email zimsaforum2005@yahoo.co.uk
If you prefer to send your registration in by post, please print out and use the form below.
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Registration: Please complete and return to: Britain Zimbabwe Society, Margaret Ling, 25 Endymion Road, London N4 1EE.Please reserve a place at the Open Forum for:
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EMAIL _____________________________________________________ORGANISATION REPRESENTED (if any)
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