Based on previous experiences where the youth have been used as political tools to fuel conflict during elections, the project seeks to take the opportunity to intervene before the election processes in 2023 starts. In appreciating the role played by youth in developing a nation, the intervention thus sees beyond political and civic differences to create non-partisan dialogues between Zimbabwe’s youths on peace building, conflict resolution, and civic and political leadership for inclusive development. In addition, the youth’s marginalised position within the democratic structures in Zimbabwe is big yet the youth constitute the majority. There is limited space for meaningful youth participation in the democratic processes in Zimbabwe across all political parties.
The main purpose with the intervention, is on engaging and capacitating youth from across the political spectrum in Zimbabwe to strengthen youth’s role in politics and development processes. The youth will be from all layers of Zimbabwean society, ensuring different social backgrounds come together for a better Zimbabwe. The targeted youth will be both presently actively engaged within political parties and those unaffiliated and those who wish to act as peer-to-peer promoters of peaceful and tolerant political discourse. This is with a focus on breaking barriers for active inclusion in shaping peaceful political discourse within Zimbabwe in general and the dominating political parties in specific in the time running up to the national elections (known as Harmonised Elections) that will happen no later than July 2023 in Zimbabwe. All with the aim of influencing pro-youth policy, facilitating youth inclusion in decision spaces, and promote tolerance and peaceful participation in national politics going forward and in the upcoming electoral cycle and beyond.
The 3 project objectives are:
Promote a sustainable peaceful political environment in Zimbabwe through skills enhancement of politically engaged youth
To enhance young women’s active participation in key governance, democratic and development processes.
To lobby and advocate for an inclusive youth space in politics and governance in Zimbabwe
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