The Global Zimbabwe  Forum, (the Forum) seeks to co-ordinate the Zimbabwean CSOs common vision and strategy in the struggle for a new democratic dispensation in Zimbabwe.

It was formally launched on 19th November 2005 with an initial membership of about 18 different Zimbabwean CSOs that are based in South Africa.

The vision of the Forum is of a democratic Zimbabwean society where all citizens are able to participate in all decision-making processes that have an impact on their lives be it at home or abroad.

The mission of the Forum is to promote civil society by uniting and strengthening the CSO sector to enable it to influence development policy and advocate for a new prosperous and democratic Zimbabwe.

The strategic objectives for the Forum have been formulated as follows:

1. The establishment of a strong and vibrant Zimbabwean civil society in the Diaspora that is well suited to serving the interests of the poor through building the capacity of the CSO sector;
2. To influence development policies in Zimbabwe, and have ensured that all government programmes and policies effectively serve the needs and interests of all the nation's citizens.

The Forum main programme areas can be summed up as follows:

1. Networking, International Relations & Stakeholder Co-ordination
2. Organisational Development & Capacity Building
3. Media, Communication & Information Networking
4. Advocacy & Lobbying
5. Research & Policy Development

Members of the forum join in order to enjoy benefits that will enable them to be sustainable, and make an impact on the work that they engage in order to fight for a new democratic dispensation in Zimbabwe.

• Networking, Information Sharing and Learning. Extensive collaboration among members and the forum to strengthen the voice and impact of the South African based Zimbabwean CSO initiatives.
• Research and Policy Dialogue. Timely and relevant publications and analysis on Zimbabwe's economic, political and social arena, donor aid, trade and poverty, food security and public engagement. Ongoing monitoring of aid policy with a focus on civil society participation.
• Leadership and Representation. Leadership and representation in government forums and bodies, regional organisations and in multilateral fora.
• Capacity-Building and Training Services. Capacity-building opportunities in public engagement, organizational diversity, policy work, ethical decision-making and revenue/ income diversification.
• Code of Ethics. Promotion of best practices in the sector through the forum's Code of Ethics. Adherence to the Code of Ethics is a requirement for membership.
• Income Generation & Funding Opportunities. The forum recognises the importance of members having access to information that will enable them to access resources to enable to carry out their activities. To this end, the forum shall ensure that members shall have access to database of donors & funders, corporate social responsibility investment opportunities and benefits through investment ventures that the forum shall be part of.

The Forum's organizational structure consists mainly of the National Council, National Executive Committee and the administrative Secretariat.

The National Council is the forum's highest decision making body. It comprises of a single representative each of the entire member CSOs.

The NC also elects the National Executive Committee.

Organisational Address and Contact Persons

Global Zimbabwe  Forum
4th Floor, Noswal Hall
3 Stiemens Street
Braamfontein, Johannesburg
South Africa

Tel/Fax. +27 11 339 3629

Solomon Sox Chikohwero
National Chairperson
Cel + 27 72 238 9192
Email:  sox_freedom@yahoo.co.uk

Ms. Nora Chengeto Tapiwa
National Co-ordinator
Tel/Fax. +27 11 339 3629
Cel. +27 79 138 3896

Email: zimdiasporaforum@gmail.com   or  zimcsoforum@yahoo.co.uk
Website. http://www.zimcsoforum.org/