City to host Sadc People’s Summit

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ZIMBABWE’S Civil Society Organisations are set to host the 2014 Sadc People’s Summit in Bulawayo ahead of the regional bloc’s heads of State gathering in Victoria Falls.

ZIMBABWE’S Civil Society Organisations are set to host the 2014 Sadc People’s Summit in Bulawayo ahead of the regional bloc’s heads of State gathering in Victoria Falls.

LINDA CHINOBVA OWN CORRESPONDENT

The Sadc People’s Summit will take place from August 15 to 16 at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) under the theme Reclaiming Sadc for people’s development – Sadc resources for Sadc people.

Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (Zimcodd) sub-committee deputy chairperson Percy Mcijo said the summit would be ordinary people’s platform to share experiences, challenges and to find solutions to help shape the future.

“The people’s summit is a platform to share experiences, map out strategies and build solidarity around common challenges and common solutions that should help shape our future and destiny,” he said.

“The Sadc People’s Declaration will be submitted to the heads of State and disseminated throughout the Sadc focal points of the member countries in the region as we help operationalise the ideals and best practices for the Sadc region.”

Mcijo said among the issues to be discussed would be economic freedom, human security, governance, democracy and human rights and state of social service delivery in Sadc.

He said they expected about 2 500 people from the Sadc bloc, of which 1 500 would be locals, to attend the summit.

He said participation was open to all ordinary citizens of Sadc countries.

“Groups, organisations and individuals that are interested in being part of shaping our region’s destiny by participating at different levels are welcome. Let us all catalyse ideals and ideas and actively participate in the landmark event,” Mcijo said.