Speakers include the FCO Minister for Africa, Henry Bellingham, MP, and the British Ambassador to Harare, Mark Canning.
The two are expected to give their view of the political, economic and humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe and an outline of Her Majestys Government (HMG) policy towards Zimbabwe.
Most of the time allocated is open to questions and comments from the Zimbabwean audience.
On the 27th October, there was a meeting at Lancaster House where officials from the UKBA and FCO announced to some Zimbabweans, the Written Ministerial Statement of resumption of enforced removals to Zimbabwe after the discharge of the country guidance case before the courts.
In that Lancaster House meeting, the ZDFG asked HMG to commit to a meeting with the portfolio of immigration and asylum, made up of all UK based Zimbabwean organisations that deal with immigration and asylum issues, led by the Zimbabwe Association (ZA).
The UKBA agreed to have the special meeting specifically to address the removal policy after ZDFG has had an opportunity to consult all Zimbabweans affected by this policy change.
The meeting of the 8th November with Minister Bellingham and Ambassador Manning should not be confused with the special immigration meeting that is to be held as soon as consultation is complete. This consultation is being co-ordinated by the ZDFG immigration portfolio lead, the ZA through Sarah Harland and Patson Muzuwa, and Linda Bikinesi in the
ZDFG secretariat.
The meeting of the 8th November is therefore not intended as the follow-up meeting on
enforced returns, as this will take place later in the month at the Home Office.
2. This meeting on the 8th November is open to all Zimbabweans, and others who have a specific
interest in Zimbabwe.
The FCO has assured the ZDFG that the room booked in the FCO can seat over 100 people so
there should not be an issue over lack of space. Zimbabweans are encouraged to attend.
As participants will need to be issued with a security pass on arrival at the FCO, HMG is
strongly urging attendees to send their name to me (Margaret.belof@fco.gov.uk so that these
can be prepared in advance.
Attendees are also urged to arrive 10-15 minutes in advance to ensure they can be present at
the start of the meeting, which will begin promptly at 14.00
ZDFG chairperson, Lucia Dube said: At times like these, it is important that Zimbabweans
attend these forums to engage our hosts directly.
We should move away from the unacceptable situation where a few people have always
claimed to speak on behalf of Zimbabweans without consulting them.
As the ZDFG, our aim is to ensure that every Zimbabwean voice is heard, no-matter how
small or diverse. This is about peoples lives.
ZDFG
The Zimbabwe Diaspora Focus Group is an umbrella coalition forum for UK based
Zimbabwean organisations, formed by Zimbabweans to ensure that Zimbabweans can speak
with one voice on matters that affect them. It is not funded and the secretariat works on a
voluntary basis with no pay, all for the love of ensuring that Zimbabweans get assistance.
On the 19th February 2010, more than 30 UK based Zimbabwean Organisations gathered in
Ilford, Essex and resolved to form the ZDFG coalition seeking to answer calls for
Zimbabweans to work together in a co-ordinated way. More organisations continue to join.
The Chairperson, Lucia Dube and the Secretariat were elected by member organisations.
In order to ensure that ZDFG remain non-partisan and apolitical, the member organisations
agreed that political parties will only have an observer status.
With a realisation that all sections of the Zimbabwean Diaspora need adequate
representation, ZDFG is organised into 11 + 1 portfolios. Each portfolio lead is elected by
member organisations in that portfolio to co-ordinate consultations and to represent the
portfolio in meetings with stakeholders including HMG.
Zimbabweans are consulted widely and exhaustively through the portfolios.
3. All minutes of ZDFG meetings are distributed to all Zimbabweans in a transparent manner,
including meetings with HMG.
The ZDFG is the most inclusive umbrella forum available to genuinely represent Zimbabweans
in the UK.
Each new member organisation is encouraged to identify and join the portfolio that best suits
its main constitutional objectives. Seminars and consultative conferences, and action plans are
organised according to portfolios as follows:
1. Community Link in the UK – Lead ZCG (Owen Muganda)
2. Charities benefiting Zim Lead Na Ncube (TGB)
3. Youth – Lead – Positive Youth (Shirley Michaels)
4. Women – Lead – Zimbabwe Women Network (Silva Hove)
5. Business Community – Lead was ZG Club (Kevin Pawadyira)
6. Human Rights – Lead Human Rights NGO Forum (Liz Bishop)
MAGGEMM (Mpho Ncube)
7. Faith and Religious Groups – Lead CZCLUK (Qobo Mayisa)
8. Arts & Culture – Lead Ngonyama (Million Songanga Moyo)
9. Immigration & Asylum – Lead Zimbabwe Association (Patson Muzuwa)
10. Think Tanks, Academics – Lead – Beacon Mbiba/Esinath Ndiweni
11. Media – Lead AZJ in UK (Clayton Peel)/ Michelle Hakata
12. Observer Political Parties.
Terms of reference were agreed with HMG led by the FCO outlining a tripartite relationship,
with ZDFG, HMG and the Zimbabwean Government as partners as below:
Schedule
Meetings envisaged on a quarterly basis but can be called ad-hoc if necessary.
Role
To help facilitate discussions between HMG, the Zimbabwean Diaspora in the UK and
the Government of Zimbabwe on policy issues.
To act as the primary link between HMG and the Zimbabwean Diaspora on issues to
be discussed.
To work in a constructive manner to facilitate understanding and solutions that offer
mutual benefits.
HMG to seek and discuss Diaspora focus group views and advice on potential policy
issues. These could include, but are not limited to, migration, human rights,
development, education, health.
4. Diaspora representatives to seek to present co-ordinated Diaspora views on HMG
migration policy from their constituent groups. This may include differences of opinion
but the forum should remain non-partisan.
Diaspora representatives to disseminate results of Diaspora Focus Group meetings to
their constituents and seek feedback as appropriate. HMG to provide core
scripts/information sheets as requested.
Diaspora representatives to advise HMG on prioritisation of suitable media outlets for
outreach work HMG can undertake with Zimbabweans in the UK.
Post published in: Politics