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Mutare public meeting report
Student Christian Movement of Zimbabwe (SCMZ)
March 05, 2009

Introduction

The Student Christian Movement of Zimbabwe (SCMZ) held a public meeting in Mutare on the 5th of March 2008 at Eastern Highlands Evangelical Church. The topic for discussion was "The Government of National Unity in place: Possibilities for national healing through youth initiatives." The occasion was graced by presentations from representatives of different youth organizations such as Mutare Agenda, ZINASU, National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Youth Agenda, Zimbabwe Youth Symposium, ZANU (PF) youth representative as well as the MDC National Secretary General for the Youth Assembly. More than 80 participants from various tertiary institutions in Mutare and different political divides also attended the fruitful discussion. The topic was given after realizing that as our country is undergoing a new political phase following the formation of the new Government of National Unity it is quite prudent that as young people of Zimbabwe we identify our position in this new political dispensation.

As SCMZ we also realized that a lot of damage and suffering has been experienced by the youth and as such it is high time we identify possibilities for national healing through youth-led initiatives that recognize the efforts of the young people of Zimbabwe in the new political era.

Issues Raised

Some of the issues which came out of the participants emphasized the importance for political tolerance. Participants also bemoaned the dollarization of fee. The discussion also clearly showed that it is high time as youth we claim our space in the political, economic and social discourse of our nation. The polarization of the media should end; the media should work in rebuilding the country-national healing. Reconciliation should also be genuinely promoted at the highest level among our political leaders. Young people encouraged each other to actively participate in policy formulation

Recommendations

Some of the recommendations which came out of the meeting were as follows

• There is a need for SCMZ to facilitate more meetings at tertiary institutions in Mutare so that they will have a better understanding of the work of SCMZ and democracy issues that affect the students in tertiary institutions.
• Youths should claim their space in the political, economic and social discourse of our nation.
• Youths should unite in solidarity and work for democracy and protection of their rights.
• Young people should desist from blind-follow ship and start interrogating irregularities in governance issues
• Need for a National Youth Convention, which also involves the youths from rural areas as a strategy
• There is need for a people-driven constitution with youth actively involved in its making.

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