Consortium successfully trains local champions in Gweru

Consortium partners of the Strengthening Citizen Agency and Constituency Dialogue project consortium oversaw a training of local participating champions (LPC) in Gweru last week.

Led by the Gweru United Progressive Residents and Ratepayers Development Association (GUPRADA), the consortium sought to buttress a culture of political and civic engagement by promoting  effective citizen participation in governance processes at multiple levels with a goal to achieve improved, citizen-driven development.

 The activity was aimed at capacitating citizens with relevant information for active participation in all decision-making processes. 

“Citizen participation’ refers to citizen involvement in public decision making. In different interpretations, ‘citizens’ may be either individuals or organized communities, and ‘participation’ may involve either observation or power,” said Mr Chikore, the facilitator while explaining citizen participation and involvement. 

He added that the purposes of citizen participation include communication, developing relationships, developing the capacity to act, and preserving or changing conditions.

Participants identified the consequences of weak civic engagement as poor governance, weak public accountability, corruption, lack of transparency, weak communities as well as the prevalence of social, economic and political injustices. 

“We believe civic engagement to be a holistic space for diverse efforts, which unlock the agency of citizens, build trust and accountability between citizens and their institutions, enrich and beautify shared space which foster civic awareness, creativity, collaboration, accessibility and accountability in public and social spheres,” said Assa Mahachi. 

Local Participating champions were also trained on lobbying and advocacy as an art of persuasion and influence underpinned by the science of robust, evidence-based policy positions.

 “Advocacy involves raising awareness and informing the public about an idea, cause, or policy, researching new solutions, creating coalitions of like-minded people, and public campaigning. Lobbying, on the other hand, involves contacting or getting the public to contact the policymakers in order to support or oppose certain legislation,” said Chikore.