Sponsored by the National Endowment for Democracy, the Center for International Private Enterprise, Freedom House, the International Republican Institute, the Solidarity Center, the National Democratic Institute, and the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights.
About the Conference
As recent elections in Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Cote d’Ivoire show, elections are a necessary, but not the only, condition for democracy. Days before the upcoming elections in Zimbabwe, this conference brought together civil society activists, and political analysts, along with representatives from the U.S. government and NGOs, to focus on strengthening democracy in Zimbabwe.
Conference Agenda
8:30 a.m. Registration and coffee
9:00 a.m. Welcome
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Carl Gershman, President, National Endowment for Democracy (Remarks)
9:10 a.m. Introductory Remarks
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U.S. Senator Jeff Flake, Arizona – Ranking Member, Subcommittee on African Affairs, Committee on Foreign Relations
9:30 a.m. Panel I: After the Elections: The Role of Civil Society
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Youth: Glanis Changachirere, Founder, Institute for Young Women Development
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Women: Jenni Williams, Founder, Women of Zimbabwe Arise
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Private sector: Oswell Binha, President, Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce
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Media: Foster Dongozi, Secretary-General, Zimbabwe Union of Journalists
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Unions: Japhet Moyo, General Secretary, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)
Moderator: Imani Countess, Regional Program Director for Africa, Solidarity Center
11:00 a.m. Panel II: After the Elections: Building Democratic Institutions
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Security Sector: Martin Rupiya, Executive Director, The African Public Policy & Research Institute (APPRI)
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Rule of Law: Irene Petras, Executive Director, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
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Legislature: Jabusile Shumba, Executive Officer, IDAZIM
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Constitution: Dewa Mahvinga, Senior Researcher, Human Rights Watch
Moderator: Daniel W. Fisk, Vice President for Policy and Strategic Planning, International Republican Institute (IRI)
12:30 p.m. Break – Lunch served
12:45 p.m. Keynote: American Policy and Zimbabwe
- Shannon L. Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southern Africa
1:30 p.m. Screening of the Film “Girl Child: One Woman’s Quest to Redefine her Society”
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Documentary created by the World Movement for Democracy
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Q & A with Glanis Changachirere and Terence Chitapi
2:00 p.m. Panel III: Zimbabwe in the International Context
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African trends: Almami Cyllah, Regional Director, Africa, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
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Regional bodies: Keith Jennings, Senior Associate and Regional Director for Southern and East Africa, National Democratic Institute
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Diaspora: Norbert Mugwagwa, Zimbabwe Diaspora Network
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Engaging Zimbabwe: Ibbo Mandaza, Director, SAPES Trust
Moderator: David J. Kramer, President, Freedom House
