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Welcome to zimcitizenswatch.org

zimcitizenswatch.org, a platform seeking to enhance the quality of democracy in Zimbabwe and contribute towards improved state delivery.

"Citizens and their formations will have to dig deep and ensure that the state and officeholders make the necessary concessions"

We always felt that at some point our country Zimbabwe would be ripe for a new democratic dispensation with citizens at the centre. The work of democratisation is never complete but we believe that the country is at a critical stage, which if handled well can lead to the consolidation of our democracy. But that will not happen automatically, citizens and their formations will have to dig deep and ensure that the state and officeholders make the necessary concessions. We believe that this platform can make a contribution by facilitating processes and conversations in a more deliberative manner to address the polarization that still characterizes the environment. We also believe that one of the important tenets of democracy is the effectiveness of the state and it is in this regard that we developed a comprehensive and rigorous tool within the zimcitizenswatch.org platform, to track and analyse the performance of the government.

Tracking the Implementations of Promises & Pledges made by Government

We will continue tracking the implementation of the promises until the final day of the this government. However, beyond just tracking we are also measuring if the actions adopted have contributed to positive change and where possible identify the limitations. Beyond tracking the agenda set by government we are also trying tabt-po understand citizens’ expectations on what government should be doing. In this regard we will be commissioning perception surveys. The surveys help us to gauge the opinions of citizens regarding their government. In the process we also learn about the citizens’ expectations of what government should be focusing on. We believe this could be an important source of information for the present government but also other political parties aspiring for office. Our surveys also help us test the level of participation or engagement of citizens with government process.

Our thinking on democracy

1

Free and fair elections are a necessary but not sufficient condition for democracy

2

Active citizens are essential and play a critical part in nurturing democracy

3

The work of democracy is the work of citizens

4

Officeholders serve at the pleasure of citizens

Our work respond to the following questions

1

Free and fair elections are a necessary but not sufficient condition for democracy

2

Active citizens are essential and play a critical part in nurturing democracy

3

The work of democracy is the work of citizens

4

Officeholders serve at the pleasure of citizens

Anticipated Outcomes

As already mentioned the work of democracy is never complete but in the short term we hope to achieve the following:

  • Enhance government accountability in terms of delivering on its own promises
  • Nurture processes and platforms of learning/hearing from citizens on their expectations
  • Shifting political narratives and discourses beyond personalities to policy issues
  • Encouraged increased participation and engagement of citizens in public policy processes

Thanks again for visiting the zimcitizenswatch.org platform and if you have any questions/suggestions please write to us at info@sivioinstitute.org.