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National
NGO EXPO (October 2002) - Concept paper
National
Association of Non Governmental Organisations (NANGO)
July 22, 2002
"Towards a better understanding of the work Non Governmental
Organisations (NGOs) in Zimbabwe"
The Problem
Addressed
Zimbabwe
is currently facing many social, economic and political challenges
that are affecting the lives of millions of people in the country.
The political situation has been worsened by the 2002 presidential
elections, which have brought along with them a wave of political
violence, suspicion and mistrust.
The NGO sector
has been hardest it. There is continued spirited efforts, by some
sections of the media to discredit the work of NGOs. The ultimate
result is that the general public is being misinformed.
It is therefore
necessary for NGOs to come out in the open and allow the general
public, government, private sector and the international community
to see for themselves what NGOs are doing, capable of doing and
who they represent. NGOs have agreed that there is need to come
together and protect their reputation by improving their visibility
and relations with various publics.
The NGO EXPO,
which will end with an NGO Convention, will therefore be one effective
way of promoting such interface with all stakeholders at the background
of suspicion, distrust and negative perceptions of the work of NGOs.
Many NGOs have
in the past attempted to join other exhibitions like the Harare
Agricultural Show and were dwarfed, resulting in limited visibility.
In view of the current NGO Operating environment, a specialised
show case would probably be the best. To date there has been no
attempt to collectively showcase NGOs.
NANGO therefore,
in its capacity as the umbrella body of NGOs is spearheading the
process leading to the NGO Expo to be held in October 2002. It is
on the basis of this programme that NANGO is seeking financial resources
as a matter of urgency.
Objectives
- To provide
government, private sector, media organisations and other stakeholders
with an opportunity to appreciate the role of NGOs in development.
- Provide all
stakeholders with an opportunity to make an objective assessment
of NGO interventions, thereby dealing with the huge problem of
suspicion and negative perceptions about the work of NGOs.
- Improve NGO
dialogue with government and other stakeholders.
- Improve the
visibility of the valuable work of NGOs.
- Allow local
and international NGOs to interface.
- To provide
the general public with an opportunity to see and understand the
meaning, and work of NGOs.
Strategy
The
project shall be guided by an expert advisory committee on information
and publicity committee comprising of Media Institute of Southern
Africa, Federation of African Media Women in Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
Women Resource Center and Network, Southern Africa Media Service
Education, Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust and Media For Development
Trust. An expert in exhibitions and functions shall also be engaged
to provide additional technical assistance.
NGOs from all
regions of Zimbabwe shall be invited to take part. They shall also
be asked to contribute some resources towards the initiative especially
in the area of paying for their stands. Other stakeholders including
government ministries, UN Agencies, donor community, embassies,
parliamentarians, rural district councils, traditional leaders,
private sector, Research institutions, schools and colleges and
the general public shall be invited.
During the Expo
the above key stakeholders would be asked to make presentations.
There will also be thematic opinion seeking and dialogue sessions
on key national issues and the meaning role and challenges of NGOs.
There may be
nominal gate takings during the EXPO.
Activities
The
Expo shall involve various activities before and during the national
event. The following are the key activities:-
- Printing
of EXPO material – T. shirts, Fact sheets, Programmes, Posters
etc. - Will have engravings of sponsors.
- Publicity
and awareness campaigns in print and electronic media. TV
/ Radio sponsored adverts. Supplements shall also be done with
national newspapers.
- NGO Merchandise/Displays
- Each NGO shall be allowed to erect a stand and display as
much information, products or anything as they deem necessary.
- Other
displays - Key stakeholders such as Government ministries
shall also be allowed to erect stands and probably few selected
private sector companies.
- Hire of
entertainment from famous musicians, police band, drum majorettes,
poets and other artists to attract the general public.
- Engaging
facilitators to lead opinion seeking and dialogue sessions.
The expert committee can take up this task.
- Presentations
by key stakeholders including government, traditional leaders,
Rural district authorities and the private sector
Output
Anticipated
results
- Government,
private sector, media, donor community and the general public
able to see, understand and appreciate the work of NGOs.
- The visibility
of NGOs improved.
- An objective
assessment of the work of NGOs is done.
Project beneficiaries
Government,
Non-governmental organisations, donors and the people of Zimbabwe
Participation
of beneficiaries
All
the above beneficiaries would be allowed to directly participate
in discussions, also erect stands and interact with the NGO community.
Starting
date and duration
The
Expo will be two days long (Friday and Saturday). The next Monday
and Tuesday will be days for the NGO Convention where policy positions
will be adopted on various national issues discussed. Tentatively
this will happen between 11 and 15 October 2002.
Conclusion
It
is all about your visibility, your credibility and protection of
your reputation.
Visit the NANGO
fact
sheet
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