Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association
Press Release
Date: 16 December 2013
Contact:
Emmanuel Ndlovu
Advocacy
and Programmes Manager
Bulawayo
Progressive Residents Association (BPRA)
0775
233 581
BPRA Hosts Residents Summit
ABOUT thirty residents
associations from across Zimbabwe will converge in Bulawayo on 18 and 19
December 2013 for a summit to map out an agenda of action for residents
associations in the country. The residents summit, to be held at Montgomery
Gardens in Richmond will be hosted by the Bulawayo Progressive Residents
Association (BPRA). The summit is aimed at synchronising and coordinating the
activities of residents associations countrywide for improved advocacy and
results in the quest to improve the livelihoods of residents in Zimbabwe. Also
present at the summit will be key local governance stakeholders, including the
Mayor of Bulawayo, Clr Martin Moyo, members of the parliamentary portfolio
committee on local governance and a representative from the ministry of local
government.
The summit will focus
on three key areas. Firstly, there will be a scenario mapping session where an analysis
of the political, social and economic environment in Zimbabwe will be done
vis-a-vis the challenges faced by residents in their day to day lives.
Secondly, based on the analysis of the environment, the role of residents
associations in improving the lives of residents will be identified with key
advocacy issues at both local and national level flagged. Thirdly, the summit
will provide a platform for the establishment of collaboration and solidarity
among residents associations to ensure a more powerful voice in advocacy on
socio-economic issues affecting the lives of residents. This will also ensure a
coordinated approach to advocacy on a national scale reducing duplication of
efforts and increasing the competencies of residents associations thus
improving efficiency.
As part of the two day
summit, delegates from across the country will also get an opportunity to tour
selected residential areas in Bulawayo in order to familiarise themselves with
the service delivery challenges faced by the residents of Bulawayo and how BPRA
has attempted to deal with such challenges. This will provide an opportunity
for residents associations to share how they have dealt with similar problems
in their areas, promoting exchange of knowledge and experiences.
The summit will thus
facilitate knowledge transfer and sharing of best practices, enabling residents
associations countrywide to maximise on their strengths and opportunities, and
find means to address their weaknesses and challenges. Holding of the residents
summit follows recognition by residents associations of their important role
and mandate in socio-economic development in the country, and the corresponding
need for collaboration among residents associations in order to enhance the
requisite capacities to accelerate their collective impact in society.
Signed
.........................................................
Mr Emmanuel Ndlovu
Advocacy and Programmes
Manager
Bulawayo Progressive
Residents Association (BPRA)
