Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust

ZIMCET

About us

ZIMCET was founded in 2000 by a group of activists, involved in civic and human rights education across rural areas of Zimbabwe. ZIMCET seeks to strengthen peace and reconciliation in Zimbabwe by monitoring violence, by providing a vital link between trouble areas, human rights organizations and the media.

ZIMCET spearheaded a peacebuilding initiative in the aftermonth of the 2000 elections and ahead of the presidential elections in April 2002. A radio program calling for peace was established along with a civic training program for civic educators.

Objectives:

- promotion of responsible governance in a peaceful democratic society,
- creation of a political, social and economic environment ensured by lawful procedures, which enable a simple ordinary citizen, to pursue his/her individual rights in society without fear.

ZIMCET will endeavour to build an empowered peaceful society, through civic education, voter education, advocacy and lobby meetings and campaigns, drama, seminars, work-shops, focus group discussions, radio and TV programmes, information sharing etc so as to actively participate in governance and democracy issues, that affect people's lives.

Currently the organization is building peace through peace committees. In communities throughout the country, ZIMCET has identified and operates through volunteers known as animators, who are the ambassadors of peace. Animators operate at constituency level. The animators are responsible for organising and holding public meetings, where communities get the opportunity to speak about their situation and raise issues that affect them. The establishment of peace committees has meant, that through interest group representation even political communities can access a platform on which to dialogue and thus work towards the enhancement of tolerance and co existence.

Jestina Mukoko is the programmes manager of the Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust.

For other net participants we can offer overnight facilities. Further we can offer an expert guidance through trained staff, deliver a lecture, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the following fields: peace, human rights and development.