NGO-Expo Supplement

NewsDay Tuesday October 18 2016

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EXPO Strengthening CSOs’ capacity for policy advocacy important nomic Development in the development of the Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (IPRSP), which has identified strategies ideal for reducing poverty and inequalities. Nango ensured effective participation of non-state actors in the process and also that the final document of pro-poor and development.

Nango is co-ordinating the Non-State

Guest of honour Jonathan Banda from the Ministry of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare and Nango chairperson, Wadzanai Vere (right) visiting a stand at the NGO Expo

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he National Association of NonGovernmental Organisations (Nango) is an apolitical, non-profit making, and non-denominational official body of NGOs operating in Zimbabwe. It has approximately over 1 000 members across the country. Nango is committed to the sustainable development needs of all people in the country and the full realisation of human rights, democracy, good governance and poverty alleviation.

The association, among many of its objectives, exists to promote, co-ordinate and organise, where necessary, the participation and contributions of non-governmental organisations in Zimbabwe in the social, economic and political development and promote and support all social, political and economic activities by organisations aiming at the benefit of a substantial or significant part of the Zimbabwean community including a special focus on such other activities that are meant to promote directly or indirectly, the well-being of the disadvantaged groups of the community.

Nango exists to strengthen, represent and coordinate the work of NGOs in Zimbabwe through creation of dialogue and engagement spaces that promote networking, building of synergies and knowledge sharing for the ultimate fulfilment of members’ different mandates.

Therefore, the association aspires to be a proactive community of NGOs responsive and committed to the sustainable development needs of all people in Zimbabwe and the full realisation of human rights, democracy, good governance and poverty alleviation.

Nango believes in engaging the government and other policymakers in view to influence national and local government processes. As such the focus has been on promoting an enabling environment and improved capacity for civil society to meaningfully participate in policy dialogue.

This has been done through developing capabilities of non-state actors to pro-actively participate in policy dialogue, at all spheres of government in a co-ordinated and harmonised manner, in a view to effectively contribute towards national development in Zimbabwe.

One of the areas of Nango’s strength is in organising policy dialogue platforms, which allow its members to interface with government departments to lobby and advocate for pro-poor policies and programmes. Recently Nango was co-opted by the Ministry of Finance and Eco-

Actors Alliance (NSAA), which is a consortium of selected Apex Civil Society bodies in Zimbabwe. NSAA is designed to strengthen the collective capacities of CSOs in their role as stakeholders in national development; building on the strategic and comparative advantages of each CSO’s thematic area, while emphasising multi-stakeholder partnerships to increase the impact of individual results

into collective developmental results.

If you would like to be part of this year’s NGO Director Summer School register with the NANGO secretariat contact at director.nango@gmail. com or call. Noma Gwere and Charity Musiwa on 04708761 Like us on Facebook: NANGO ZIMBABWE www.nango.org.zw

The National Association of Non Governmental Organizations (NANGO) is an apolitical, non-profit making, and non-denominational official body of NGOs operating in Zimbabwe. It has approximately over one thousand members across the country. ‘NANGO is committed to the sustainable development needs of all people in Zimbabwe and the full realization of human rights, democracy, good governance and poverty alleviation. The association amongst many of its objectives exists to promote, co-ordinate and organize, where necessary, the participation and contributions of non-governmental organizations in Zimbabwe in the social, economic and political development and promote and support all social, political and economic activities by organizations aiming at the benefit of a substantial or significant part of the Zimbabwean community including a special focus on such other activities that are meant to promote directly or indirectly, the well being of the disadvantaged groups of the community.’ NANGO exist to strengthen, represent and coordinate the work of NGOs in Zimbabwe through creation of dialogue and engagement spaces that promote networking, building of synergies and knowledge sharing for the ultimate fulfilment of members’ different mandates. Therefore, the Association aspires to be a pro-active community of NGOs responsive and committed to the sustainable development needs of all people in Zimbabwe and the full realization of human rights, democracy, good governance and poverty alleviation.

NANGO believes in engaging the government and other policy makers in view to influence national and local government processes. As such the focus has been on promoting an enabling environment and improved capacity for civil society to meaningfully participate in policy dialogue policies. This has been done through developing capabilities of non-state actors to pro-actively participate in policy dialogue, at all spheres of government in a coordinated and harmonised manner, in view to effectively contribute towards national development in Zimbabwe.

One of the areas of NANGO’s strength is in organizing policy dialogue platforms, which allow its members to interface with government department to lobby and advocate for pro-poor policies and programmes.

Recently NANGO was coopted by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development in the development of the Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (IPRSP), which has identified strategies ideal for reducing poverty and inequalities. NANGO ensured effective participation of non state actors in the process and also that the final document is pro-poor and development.

On the 27-28 of October 2016, NANGO is going to be hosting an NGO Directors Summer School at the Montclair Hotel in Nyanga which will be running under the theme ‘Enabling Environment for Non State Actors’ Meaningful Contribution to National Development. Key Note Address will be done by the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Hon P. Mupfumira. Other key speakers for the event are EU, UNDP, Dr. D. M. Sibanda (Secretary for Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion), Dr. Kanyenze If you would like to be part of this year’s NGO Director Summer School register with NANGO secretariat on, director.nango@gmail.com or call Noma Gwere and Charity Terera-Musiiwa on 04-708761 or cell number 0778 306 402. Like us on Facebook: NANGO ZIMBABWE www.nango.org.zw

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NewsDay Tuesday October 18 2016

NANGO supplement

Nango, promoting public participation and dialogue

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HE National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (Nango), an umbrella body of NGOs operating in Zimbabwe, hosted the 2016 NGO Expo on September 30 and October 1, 2016, at the ZIBF Grounds, at the Harare Gardens. This year’s expo was running under the theme: Promoting Public Participation and Dialogue for Sustainable Development.

Approximately 50 organisations exhibited their products and services. The expo was officially opened by the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister Prisca Mupfumira. In her keynote address, she underscored that NGOs were an indispensable partner in development.

The expo provided an opportunity for dialogue between public and private sector and the general public on key national issues.

In addition, the event provided the general public an opportunity to comprehend and appreciate the valuable work of NGOs in a bid to achieve sustainable development.

There were policy dialogue sessions, which were held on the sidelines of the NGO Expo, which include one on electoral reforms co-ordinated by the Election Resource Centre.

The National Association of Youth Organisations (Nayo) organised a peace-building dialogue session as well, Nango and Zimbabwe National Council for the Welfare of Children (ZNCWC) jointly organised a children’s conference, which drew junior councils from Chitungwiza, Harare, Marondera, Ruwa and Norton.

ZNCWC hosted the Annual National Child Rights Coalition Conference on September 28 and 29, 2016 at the Rainbow Towers Hotel, prior to the NGO Expo.

The conference was attended by delegates from all over the country representing civil society organisations in the child rights sector, government ministries, junior councillors, embassies, donor agencies and the media. The conference ran under the theme: From Theory to Implementation-Making the UNCRC and ACERWC Concluding Observa-

tion and Recommendations a reality in Zimbabwe. It was a good platform to publicise and analyse the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) concluding observations and recommendations for Zimbabwe.

The best stand award for the 2016 NGO Expo went to Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (Zacras), which is the umbrella body of community radio initiatives in Zimbabwe. The members highlighted that there is need to replicate the NGO Expo in other provinces in future, as they provide a platform for networking and exchange of experiences.

The 2016 expo, to a greater extent, was a success, as shown by the number of exhibitors, quality of exhibition material and achievement of objectives of the event. Nango cherishes the technical and financial support from the EU and Save the Children, which made the event a success.

Their support is in sync with our objective to ensure the progressive realisation of the social, economic, and political rights of all citizens without leaving anyone behind.

On October 27 and 28 2016, Nango will host an NGO Directors Summer School at the Montclair Hotel, which will be running under the theme Enabling Environment for Non-State Actors Meaningful Contribution to National Development. Mupfumira will present the keynote address. Other key speakers include representatives from EU, UNDP, Desire Sibanda (secretary for Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion) and Godfrey Kanyenze, among other game changers in Zimbabwe.

A focus group discussion on child development issues by the junior councillors during the 2016 NGO expo

For more information please contact Nango head office at Email: director.nango@gmail. com Telephone: 04708761 Like us on Facebook: NANGO ZIMBABWE www.nango.org.zw

“SAfAIDS: Promoting girls’’& boys’ participation

for inclusive and transformative SRH outcomes” Zacras’ stand; the organisation was the 2016 NGO Expo best stand winner

ZimRights to honour Africa Human Rights Day

Changing the River’s Flow - A Gender Transformative Programme for Young People (CTRF 4 YP) seeks to advance

gender transformation work to reduce HIV, GBV, teen pregnancies and barriers to access sexual and reproductive health rights among boys and girls (10-24 years) in Zimbabwe by 2017.

For more information contact us SAfAIDS Regional Office: 17 Beveridge Road, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe Tel: +263 4 336193/4, 307898 Email: info@safaids.net

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ZIMRIGHTS will be joining hands with four organisations — Election Resource Centre, Action Support Centre from South Africa, Savanna Trust and Theatre in the Park — in commemorating the Africa Human Rights Day on October 20 and 21, 2016.

The main event will be i a free-admission theatre performance called, Liberation to be staged at Theatre in the Park at Harare Gardens on Thursday.

ZimRights director, Okay Machisa, said the commemoration, which this year uses art as a medium of human rights education, served to remind stakeholders of their duties in safeguarding human rights.

“With the many things that have been happening in the country lately, the event will remind us all of the duty we must honour in terms of respecting, protecting and promoting human rights in the country,” he said.

“As correctly recognised by the African countries coming together under the Africa Union in adopting the African Human Rights Charter and

commemorating the African Human Rights Day, the advancement of human rights is part of the liberation and efforts of bringing freedom to the people.

“What is left is to honour the commitments to uphold human rights in practice, here in Zimbabwe, where we now have a progressive Constitution and across the continent.”

Written by Leornard Matsa with Bongani Masango as director and Elton Mjanana as his assistant, the play features a prominent cast of Nyari Nhongonhema, Daniel Maphosa, Charles Matare, Everson Ndlovu, Rumbidzai Karize, and Dereck Nyiyakwi.

After the play there will be a public discussion meant to explore crucial human rights issues facing Zimbabwe to be moderated by prominent academic, Charlton Tsodzo.

The commemorations are geared at celebrating the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Africa Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

As the African Union concludes

a year dedicated to human rights, the official commemoration of the day under the theme, African Year of Human Rights with Particular Focus on the Rights of Women will happen across the continent on Friday.

The charter on human rights became binding on all member states of the African Union on October 21, 1986 setting the stage — at least on paper — for the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa.

During the course of 2016 — at least the last few months marked by citizen riots — questions have been raised about Zimbabwe’s ability to meet its human rights obligations under frameworks like the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the peopledriven Constitution’s Bill of Rights.

Issues that raised concern included the police’s heavy-handed treatment of citizens exercising their constitutional rights to demonstrate and petition the government of issues of service delivery.