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Discussions
between the diaspora and representatives of the Zimbabwean inclusive
government
Institute
for Justice and Reconciliation
December
07, 2009
On the 3rd and
4th of December a group of high-profile members of the Zimbabwean
diaspora met with representatives of the country''s inlusive government,
including the Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy
Prime Minister, Arthur Mutambara, to discuss the role that the diaspora
can play in the economic reconstruction of Zimbabwe.
The dialogue,
which was hosted by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation,
outside Franschhoek in South Africa, saw delegates exchanging views
on issues related to the current state of the Zimbabwean economy
and potential strategies for Zimbabweans from outside the country
to get involved in Zimbabwe's economic reconstruction. The discussions
culminated in a draft programme of action, which will be submitted
for consideration to Zimbabwe's inclusive government. The leaders
of the inclusive government present undertook to give serious consideration
to the proposals.
Relative political
stability in the wake of the adoption of the Global
Peace Agreement, and the resultant stabilisation of an economy
that has been in freefall in recent years, has provided impetus
for strategic discussions on the way forward in rebuilding the country's
economic infrastructure and the improvement of the lives of the
Zimbabwean people. This is therefore a critical period to deliberate
on the ideal shape and character that a reconstituted Zimbabwean
economy should take and the strategies towards achieving this.
At the discussions,
members of government reminded the diaspora of the critical role
that it can and should play in the reconstruction of the Zimbabwean
economy, and the latter was also assured of the inclusive government's
commitment to create an environment where this could take place.
Such contributions, according to some government representatives
do not necessarily require their return to Zimbabwe, but can also
be made in their particular spheres of influence from wherever they
are.
Representatives
of the diaspora, which included business leaders, media owners,
principals of continental development finance institutions, and
civil society leaders, pointed out that they are encouraged by ongoing
efforts to ensure that the Global Political agreement is implemented,
but warned that failure in this regard would be catastrophic.
Issues highlighted
during the discussions included the fragmentation of the diaspora
and the need for the adoption of a systematic mechanism to harness
the pool of Zimbabwean resources and skills worldwide. Delegates
also looked at international case studies of how other countries
have engaged with the diaspora in their countries. These studies
included: India, Philipines; Mexico; Nigeria; Ghana and Uganda.
Amongst other
issues, the delegates resolved to institutionalise the engagement
of the Zimbabwean diaspora with the Zimbabwean inclusive government.
At the conclusion
of discussions, participants from the diaspora drafted a proposed
programme of action. Both parties agreed on the need for further
engagement and follow-up consultations have been scheduled for early
2010.
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