The Citizens’ Manifesto, a convergence platform of civic organizations, will convene the 2nd National Citizens’ Convention on 24 and 25 September 2019, in Harare.

The Convention seeks to map, what civil society considers, a sustainable path out of Zimbabwe’s acute socioeconomic and political crisis.
The Convention is set to proffer solutions to the multifaceted challenges in the country which are affecting the majority of the ordinary citizens. It is therefore a platform for citizens to critically and objectively reflect and collectively come up with actionable solutions to the country’s problems.

Convention participants will come up with a plan of action to be adopted by participating organizations in their advocacy for a just, democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe. Key issues and questions to be addressed at the convention include: how to build a sustainable economy that works for all, the quest real participatory democracy and the road map for achieving social cohesion. There will be deliberation on national healing and reconciliation, the state of social service delivery, the need for reforms that place Citizens’ rights at the centre of governance as well as guarantee free, fair, credible elections and other pertinent human rights issues.

Running under the hashtags, “It’s Us And Its Now”, “Zimbabwe Together We Will Fix It” and, “A Better Zimbabwe For All,” the Convention will draw participants from civic organizations, social movements, labour, youth, women, community groups, business, faith based organizations, representatives from the international community and the Diaspora.

The Convention takes place against a background of a similar event in July 2018. Last year’s event was graced by luminaries from The Elders including the late former Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan and Mary Robinson, the former President of Ireland. During last year’s Convention Citizens’ made a request to The Elders to consider playing a role in mediating across the political divide to come up with an agreed framework for political dialogue and today reiterate the same call with greater urgency given the deepening national crisis.
Hundreds of delegates are expected at the Convention’s main venue. Thousands more will participate through interactive media platforms.
Now is the time for citizens to dare to shape the future. #ItsUsAndItsNow!

Citizens’ Manifesto is a voluntary convergence platform for progressive civil society organizations and activists working towards a better Zimbabwe for all. Through deliberative dialogue processes the initiative is contributing towards building national consensus on the future that citizens want. Citizens’ Manifesto is a solidarity platform to amplify citizens’ voice and action and is not a separate organization.

Gateway Zimbabwe, Economic Justice for Women Project, National Association of Youth Organizations (NAYO), Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU), SAPES Trust, Magamba Network, Bus Stop TV, Institute for Young Women in Development(IYWD), Habbakuk Trust, Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA), Vendors Initiative for Socio-Economic Transformation (VISET), The Media Centre, Amandla Centre, Platform for Concerned Citizens (PCC),  Harare Residents Trust(HRT), Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BRPA), Women’s Academy of Leadership and  Political Excellence (WALPE), Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe(ARTUZ), Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe(LEDRIZ), Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development(ZIMCODD), Emthonjeni Women’s Forum and People and Earth Solidarity Lawyers (PES), Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC).