Hundreds of NGOs ready for a historic NGO EXPO.

Hundreds of NGOs from all over Zimbabwe will collectively showcase and dialogue with their key stakeholders at the first ever and historic National NGO EXPO to be held on 11- 13 October at the Harare Exhibition Park, Hall of Commerce, being facilitated by the National Association of Non Governmental Organizations (NANGO).

NANGO is the umbrella body of NGOs in Zimbabwe. It has a membership of over 250 local and international NGOs. Some of the participating member organizations include World Vision , SAFAIDS, Legal Resources Foundation, Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust, Zimbabwe Aids Network, Child Protection Society, Zimrights, Chipawo, Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association and several others.

The main objective of the EXPO is therefore to provide government, private sector, media organizations and other key stakeholders with an opportunity to do an objective assessment of NGO interventions - thereby dealing with the problem of suspicion and negative perceptions about the work of NGOs.

Further, the EXPO is a deliberate effort to enlighten all stakeholders about the functions, identity and roles of NGOs in various communities.

The event will be punctuated by dialogue sessions, exhibitions, thrilling entertainment from famous musicians, poets and drum majorettes among many of the lined up activities.

NGOs continue to play a very important role in the social, economic and political development of the people of Zimbabwe. The contributions of NGOs are varied and diverse.

There are several NGOs that are working tirelessly in the following areas for instance: food, relief operations, poverty alleviation, education and training, gender development, democratization, human rights, information dissemination, business and economic empowerment, HIV/Aids, land and environment, health and in uplifting the cause of minorities and disadvantaged groups such as children, elderly people, people with disabilities and such others. It is therefore evident that the sector has comparative advantages in working with grassroots communities.

The NGO sector, with over 1500 civil society organizations is therefore undoubtedly a remarkable employer. Considerable numbers of graduate social scientists are being absorbed by the sector.

Unfortunately, key stakeholders of NGOs; do to some extent not understand the NGO sector. This has resulted in negative perceptions about their work.

The EXPO will therefore promote dialogue between the sector and its significant stakeholders and will go a long way in showcasing the valuable work being done by the sector thereby allowing NGO stakeholders to see and appreciate the contributions of NGOs in the development of the people of Zimbabwe.

Invited people include parliamentarians, schools and colleges, traditional leaders, general public, private sector, embassies and many others.

More information contact:
Bob L. Muchabaiwa
NANGO, 1st Floor Mass Media, 19 Selous Ave / 3RD Street
TEL 708761/ 732612 / 023 257 183
Fax 794973
Email [email protected]