Issue 01 October 2013

IN THIS ISSUE Welcome»

» Peace Mapping Directory launched

Mapping Directory Launched Research Update Consultancy Corner The Transformer The Conflict Series 10th anniversary celebration

Welcome to the first issue of the CCMT newsletter.

thAs we celebrate our 10 anniversary year, we would like to take this opportunity to share what's been happening at CCMT over the last few months.

We are excited to be celebrating 10 successful years in operation this year. Our journey began in 2002 with the formation of the Coalition on Conflict Management Trust. In 2003, we transformed into the Centre for Conflict Management and Transformation (CCMT).

Over the years, the nature and scope of our work has evolved. Through experimentation we have developed a unique intervention approach, whilst strengthening our research focus. The M&E intervention tools that were introduced in early 2012 are proving to be highly successful in the documentation of field work.

As we look to the future, we focus our efforts on the development of our 'Intervention Centre'. The Centre will be a resource base and information hub for people from all works of life - from government officials coming to learn from CCMT case studies, other peace-building organisations, development agencies, other NGOs, private sector organisations and individuals.

The Centre for Conflict Management and Transformation (CCMT) recently launched a directory entitled Mapping Peace Initiatives in Zimbabwe.

The first of its kind in Zimbabwe, the directory is comprised of a hard copy publication and interactive CD which maps out peace initiatives in Zimbabwe by province. Included in the publication is a contact database of the peace building organisations currently working in the sector, making it an extremely useful resource.

We are currently in the process of devising a dissemination strategy to make the publication widely available. Our vision is for this publication to be a useful resource to as many individuals and organisations in Zimbabwe as possible.

Centre for Conflict Management and Transformation

The Conflict Series

Research Update

Interventions

NGO Expo

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Having recently completed the third documentary installation in the 'Transforming through Conflict' series we are now focusing our attention on producing a fourth film.

The film, yet to be titled, tells the story of an intervention which CCMT is currently undertaking in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe. The intervention takes a close look at the conflicts between customary and general legal systems in Zimbabwe.

The community involved in this intervention has chosen to take the lead in this, with a request for intervention being made specifically by the Chief. One of the main areas of discussion so far has been that of marriage and divorce. CCMT's Research and Documentation department is also conducting in-depth research into the issues coming out of the intervention.

This is the first time that we have filmed a live intervention as it takes place and so far the discussion points have been intriguing to say the

For years CCMT's interventions have been informed by research. Our busy Research and Documentation department is currently working on the following studies:

C h a l l e n g e s t o i m p l e m e n t i n g t h e development agenda in resettlement areas

Research on church run schools in Tongogara district of Zimbabwe

A monograph on the unclear roles and responsibilities between appointed and elected leaders

The discrepancies between general and customary law in Zimbabwe

If you are interested in receiving our research publications once they are out please email info@ccmt.co.zw with 'Research Publications' in the subject line.

least.

The Transformer

We recently published Volume 3 of CCMT's 'The

Transformer' magazine. This anniversary edition

of the publication tells the story of our journey so far.

From the beginning when we helped to establish the

Community Conflict Management Associations right

through to the development of our unique

intervention approach and our increased focus on

M&E and research.

To request an electronic or hard copy of the

publication and see just how far we've come, please

email info@ccmt.co.zw, with 'Transformer' in the

subject line.

We have a number of interventions that are currently underway. We will update you on progress as the dialogues begin to take shape and stories from the field begin to emerge.

CCMT attended its first ever NGO expo. The expo, which was organised by NANGO, took place from the 4th to 7th of September and was held at the Harare Gardens. We had people visiting our stand from all walks of life and we enjoyed the different interactions we had with them.

The conferences which were included in the programme enabled us to meet with representatives from the government and the SADC and engage with them on various topics which are relevant to NGOs operating in Zimbabwe.

We enjoyed our experience and look forward to attending the 2014 expo.

Much of 2013 has seen CCMT's Consultancy Department work on an assignment which was commissioned by Search For Common Ground (SFCG) Zimbabwe. Together with SFCG and the International Video Fair Trust (IVFT), CCMT is conducting community outreaches in and around Zimbabwe.

Six outreaches have so far been completed in areas which have been identified as conflict hotspots. Members of a community, including traditional leaders, youth, councillors, church leaders, local government authorities and ordinary community members amongst others are brought together for a week long process which is focused around screenings of the television series 'The Team'. In between screenings of the episodes, attendees are invited to reflect on their own day to day living within the community identifying issues that are divisive. They are also encouraged to think of ways in which they can deal with these issues constructively and come up with action plans. All of this is done with reference to the issues that come out of the Team and how the fictional characters deal with them. To add a bit of flavour to the process some of the original actors from television series have also been tagging along and taking part in the outreaches much to the excitement of participants!

Matilda Singende from Mutoko commented, “This process has helped me to realise that we need to come together, men, women and youths to identify our core problems as a community and find ways to address them”.

Other consultancy assignments that have kept us busy in 2013 include evaluations, commissioned research and training assignments for various organisations. To request an electronic copy of our consultancy brochure containing details of training programmes and consultancy services on offer, please email , with 'Consultancy' info@ccmt.co.zwin the subject line.

Contact Us:T: +263 4 746016/ 788154

E: info@ccmt.co.zwW: www.ccmt.org.zw

Consultancy Corner