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Peace Building Project launched in Harare
Students Christian Movement of Zimbabwe (ZSCM)
March 16, 2004

The Students Christian Movement of Zimbabwe launched its Peace Building Project in Harare on the 12th of March. The project was launched under the banner "Building and Nurturing a Culture of Peace amongst Youth in Zimbabwe’. The peace- building project focuses on building capacity amongst youth and students organisations in Zimbabwe to be able to be peace builders and peace activists in their communities. Young people and students from institutions of higher learning in the country swept dirty streets as a commitment of rejecting violence as a method of solving conflicts.

Speaking at the launch of the project Masimba Kuchera, the Communications Officer asserted that the time for young people to stand and reject violence in the country is now. Masimba stated that the organisation is going to work countrywide with young men and women who are committed to the building of peace and tolerance in communities as this essential to marshal human resources to social and economic development. Sibongile Gwanzura, a Law student at the University of Zimbabwe opened the meeting stating that young people have always played an important role in development and this role could easily be defeated if the youth do not tolerate opposing and divergent views and said that in situations of violence women and young people suffer the most.

Mr Tapfuma Jaja, a Councillor of the Harare City Council commended the students who have been able to organise themselves and commit their time and resources to building peace in the country. Speaking on behalf of the City Elders, the Councillor deplored violence and pleaded with the youths to be wary of people and organisations who want to manipulate them to carry out violent attacks against other people. Under the program, the Students Christian Movement of Zimbabwe has trained eleven (11) young peace builders who will work with different communities especially young people in the country. The program has been launched at a time in which Zimbabwe has been torn apart by violence, a situation that has hindered commitment by citizens to development.

A member from the civic movement, Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) Mr Dewa Mavhinga implored everyone to work hard to achieve the set out goals by practically contributing to the fight for peace. Mr Mavhinga noted that unwavering support and commitment was required as everyone’s eyes would be on the young peace-builders. He went on to encourage tolerance of all forms, religious, political and all other forms of tolerance.

The launch of this program is an important and crucial step that has been taken by young people that will contribute to the building of a culture of peace and tolerance in the country. This commitment will certainly contribute to the building of a social, economic and political environment that gives space and platforms for Zimbabweans to be able to participate effectively and freely in social and economic development in Zimbabwe.

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