The Africa Initiative and Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University are pleased to announce a two-day symposium on October 29 and 30, on the theme of healing, reconciliation and reconstruction in Zimbabwe. This meeting brings together key figures from Africa and the United States to deliberate on the question of Zimbabwe’s future, the role of healing in socio-political reconstruction, and the role of democratic institutions and an informed citizenry in a peace process that goes beyond partisan proclivities.
Conference participants will include:
* MP Sekai Holland, Zimbabwean Minister for Healing and National Cohesion
* Gertrude Hambira, General Agriculture And Plantation Workers Union Of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ) ,
* Brian Raftopoulos, Distinguished historian, author of Becoming Zimbabwe: A History of Zimbabwe from the pre-colonial period to 2008, Weaver Press, Harare, 2009
* Machivenyika Mapuranga , Zimbabwean ambassador to the United States
* Elinor Sisulu, author of Walter and Albertina Sisulu: In Our Lifetime
* Mmatshilo Motsei, Author, The Kanga and the Kangaroo Court: Reflections of the Rape Trial of Jacob Zuma,
* Tawanda Mutasah, Lawyer, Human Rights activist
* Esau Mavindidze, Zimbabwean activist and organizer
* Horace Campbell, author, Reclaiming Zimbabwe: the Exhaustion of the patriarchal Model of Liberation
At the Africa Initiative, we are aware that under the articles of the Global Political Agreement, the members of both ZANU-PF and MDC are committed to promoting equality, national healing, cohesion and unity. It is challenging to work towards healing in a way that does not begin with a desire for revenge. In the words of Albert Einstein, “You cannot solve a problem by using the mindset that caused the problem in the first place.” Thus, we believe that healing and reconciliation are processes (not events), that arise out of new ways of societal thinking. While a legal basis for healing is impossible, a legal framework to protect people and institutions against future criminal acts and impunity is possible.
Consistent with Syracuse University’s on-going commitment to Scholarship in Action, we invite all members of the general public, the local community, and university students to attend this event. The Symposium will take place at the Herg Auditorium, on the Campus of Syracuse University in New York. It is co-sponsored by the Africa Initiative, Newhouse School of Public Communications, and the Department of African Studies, and Pan African Committee of New York
For further information contact
Africa Initiative
Syracuse University
orwamike@yahoo.com
nyasa09@syr.edu