Zimbabwe prides itself of vast natural resources that include diamonds, gold, platinum, granite, timber among others. Amidst the remarkable number of resource endowed provinces, several young people in these areas are not fully participating in resource governance. Decades of mineral extraction in the country have failed to translate to human development. It is against this background that the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) is calling for youths dotted around the country’s ten provinces to submit articles on the topic; Righting the wrongs in Zimbabwe’s Mineral Resource Governance:  The Zimbabwe I envision.

The resource richness of Zimbabwe has brought with it untold suffering, as the benefits are nothing compared to the general environmental, economic and social challenges that result from mining activities. Resource rich communities in the country are suffering from the enormous ecological debt owing to natural resource plunder. In our quest to ensure, inclusive approach to development, we call on young people to craft the way forward as we believe that effective representation of everyone is critical. It is one of the several ways to ensure the development of pro-poor, pro-sustainable development policies that will lead to poverty eradication and environmental sustainability and in the long run remove the ‘resource curse’ tag that has stark with Zimbabwe for several years.

The lack of transparency, accountability, proper management of exploitation of natural resources is a threat to sustainable development. In Africa, this is evidenced by what has come to be known as the “resource curse.” The extractive sector has real and profound impacts on people’s lives and the environment, and it is those who are poor or those who live in resource endowed communities who are mostly affected. Zimbabwe’s government in its quest to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is promoting the ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ mantra. It must be noted that in search for FDI, the government has overlooked violations of the environmental, economic, social and cultural rights (EESCRs) of communities by these investors. Over the years mining has been geared more towards attracting foreign investments and promoting exports and less towards fostering local development.

The objective of the call for articles is to establish youths’ participation in Zimbabwe socio- economic trajectory. It is anticipated that solicited submissions will further influence policy reviews that promote youth participation in natural resource governance.

The article should provide recommendations to the Government, Mining companies/Investors, Civil Society Organisations among others on issues related to youth participation.

Ten articles will be selected and published in both digital and printed form. The winner from article submitters will be invited to make a presentation during the Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI).

A token of appreciation will also be provided to the 10 best contributors.

Important dates to note

• 9June 2020: Call for submissions sent out
• 30 June 2020: Deadline for submissions
• 7 July 2020: Contacting the contributors and article posting

Submission Process:

• Maximum word limit: 1000-2000 with clear referencing provided
• This call is open to Zimbabwean youths aged 20-35years.
• Originality is highly encouraged while plagiarised articles will be disqualified.
• All submissions must attempt to respond to the theme: Righting the wrongs in Zimbabwe’s Mineral Resource Governance: The Zimbabwe I envision.

Email your article to clarity@zela.org and copy joyce@zela.org no later than 30 June 2020. Selected applicants will be contacted via email.