Civic Society Organisations to host global diaspora conference

By Tichaona Sibanda
15 February 2006

There are plans by the South African based Zimbabwe Diaspora Forum to host the first ever global international conference for Zimbabweans living outside the country.

According to Daniel Molokela, a leading activist in Johannesburg, it is anticipated that the historic event will be held in South Africa in April 2007.

‘We expect representatives from every corner of this globe to attend the conference. A top political figure will be our guest at the conference. We will also invite representatives of all political parties from Zimbabwe as well as top civic and church leaders,’ said Molokela from Johannesburg on Wednesday.

The diaspora conference will seek to create a global platform that will discuss both the short and long term roles of the millions of Zimbabweans now living outside the country.

Molokela said some of the major outcomes expected from the conference include the setting up of a global forum and leadership for all Zimbabwean institutions and organisations that are based in the diaspora.

He added that the conference will also look at the adoption of a visionary policy document that will help to define the role of the diaspora in the political and socio-economic development of the country from both a long term and short term perspective.