ZIMBABWE PEACEBUILDING INITIATIVE (ZimPI)
In Partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ)
Towards Synergies for Peace with Justice, Safety, Security, Happiness & Prosperity
Presentation at The Great Hall, University of Zimbabwe, April 23, 2024, at the event for Matthew Neuhaus to speak on "Six Lessons in Peacebuilding - Experiences from the Commonwealth and Beyond"
Good evening, distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen.
My name is Daniel Zinyama, and I am honored to share our remarkable journey that began in early 2021. Tamuka Hove and I were mentored by the Boy & Girl Child Initiative under the guidance of Eng. Jim Holland and his wife Senator Sekai Holland (Mrs) through their organisations: FairGo4Kids and The Zimbabwe Peacebuilding Initiative (ZimPI).
The Zimbabwe Information Center in Sydney, Australia, (ZIC) has been a constant sponsor with the Hollands. We are grateful to Dr Jane Carrick and her husband Dr Bob Woods of Sydney, Australia, as well as Professor Geoffrey Webb of Melbourne, for their untiring funding support of our participation in all the international conferences.
The Initiative instilled in us the values of peace, order, balance, fairness, cohesion and harmony while promoting equal opportunities for boys and girls. Their mission to empower and inspire young individuals to become leaders in their homes, communities and the nation, with their vision of a society where every child has access to quality education, healthcare, growth opportunities and others has driven our journey forward.
Education 5.0 and the Rural Industrialization programme have been instrumental in empowering the boy and girl child. We are proud to have been part of this journey. Education 5.0's focus on innovation, industrialisation and value addition has equipped us with the skills and knowledge to develop solutions to real-world problems. The Rural Industrialization programmes' emphasis on devolution and counter-urbanisation has shown us the importance of empowering rural communities and promoting sustainable development. These initiatives have inspired and modeled us to be where we are today.
We are grateful for the opportunities we have had. Our first significant accomplishments were as award-winning delegates in conferences hosted in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, April, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, August, of 2021. These experiences laid the foundation for our growth as leaders and advocates for youth self-empowerment, reflecting the Initiative's mission and vision. In 2022 we progressed to the roles of Chairperson and Co-Chairperson in conferences held in South Africa (April), Rwanda (June), Mauritius (October), and Zambia (December). We sought to inspire and uplift youths, drawing upon the principles instilled into us by the Initiative.
Inspired by our journey and the Initiative's mission we launched The Southern African Youth Development Council (SAYDC) at the end of 2022. This initiative empowers youths across the region, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed. It highlights the impact of the Initiative and serves as a testament to our growth as leaders. In February 2024, we had the privilege of chairing the African Youth Leadership Diplomatic Conference in Ethiopia. As leaders on a continental platform, we represented the hopes and aspirations of millions of young people, showcasing the growth that began under the Initiative's guidance.
Our dedication within Intercontinental Youth Connect led to our promotion to trustees and board members. Today, Intercontinental Youth Connect, in close partnership with Vision 2030 Movement, is proud to announce that we will host The Southern African Youth Development Council program in Harare, Zimbabwe, from the 23rd to the 26th of May 2024. This conference is an extension of our heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, The President, on his well-deserved appointment as the SADC chairperson. We commend his leadership and celebrate Zimbabwe's hosting of the SADC's 44th ordinary summit in August this year.
The council brings together youth delegates from Southern Africa to present projects and resolutions focusing on various sectors and industries, which will be presented at the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in 2024. Resolutions will emphasize the value chain and industrial development in sectors such as Smart Governance, Smart People, Smart Living, Smart Mobility, Smart Economy, and Smart Environment, encompassing industries like Agriculture, Finance, Health, Education, Infrastructure Development, ICT-Engineering, and Green Energy.
As we continue on this journey, Tamuka and I remain committed to upholding the values of the Initiative, striving to contribute to a brighter future for youths across Africa. We are grateful for your support and look forward to the continued growth and success of our initiatives.
Thank you.
