CSO Week opens Monday with focus on voice, vision, value

Arusha. This year’s Civil Society Organisations (CSO) Week opens on Monday in Arusha, with several prominent figures lined up for participation in discussions centred on development in line with the event’s theme – “Voice, Vision, Value”.

The guest of honour in the opening programme at Mount Meru Hotel is the Minister of State in the President’s Office (Planning and Investment), Prof Kitila Mkumbo, who will take part in a conversation titled “Leapfrogging Tanzania into the Future – 2050 and Beyond” along with the president of the Foundation for Civil Society (FCS), Dr Stigmata Tenga.

Prof Mkumbo’s participation in the discussion to be moderated by Dr Baruani Mshale, Director of Learning and Strategy at Twaweza, is testimony to strong commitment to civil society-government collaboration, with emphasis on the shared role in fostering the growth of the civil society sector and advancing national development.

Several representatives from development partners, including the Deputy Ambassador of the European Union, Ms Isabelle Mignucci, and the Chargé d’Affaires at the Canadian High Commission, Ms Carol Mundle, will deliver opening remarks at the start of the five-day event. Their involvement underscores development partners’ strong commitment to strengthening the civil society sector in Tanzania. The EU delegation will also include the Head of Economics and Governance, Ms Karina Dzialowska, and the Programme Manager for Civil Society, Ms Neema Bwaira.

Government representatives who will be in attendance include the Arusha Mayor, Mr Maxmillian Iranqhe; the Registrar of NGOs in Tanzania Mainland, Ms Vickness Mayao; the Registrar of NGOs in Zanzibar, Mr Ahmed Khalid Abdulla, and the NGO Coordinator in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Dr Methusela Masanja.

The Vodacom Tanzania Foundation will also be represented as a principal partner and its delegation includes the Vodacom Tanzania Managing Director, Mr Philip Besiimire, and the Director for External Affairs and Vodacom Foundation, Ms Zuweina Farah.

Another partner is Stanbic Bank Tanzania, which will be represented by, among others, the Head of the Public Sector, Ms Doreen Dominic; the Head of Commercial Banking, Mr Fredrick Max, and the Head of Business Incubator, Ms Kai Mollel.

From the World Bank, ECR Regional Director Sumir Lal and East Africa External and Corporate Relations Department (ECRAE) Manager Edith Jibunoh are also expected to attend.

CSO Week Organising Committee chairperson Nesia Mahenge, who is also CBM International in-country director, said they were thrilled to have the diverse participation of key development actors from the government and development partners.

CSO Week 2024, which has been organised by the FCS in collaboration with at least 20 CSOs, takes place as Tanzanians prepare to vote in crucial elections, with the event acknowledging the essential role of democratic processes in shaping the nation’s future. Moreover, as the world approaches the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) midpoint with limited progress, CSO Week 2024 serves as a platform to rethink, refocus and redouble efforts toward inclusive and sustainable development.

The theme of this year’s event emphasises the need for collaboration among civil society, the government and the private sector to drive the nation’s progress and prosperity. The event will also address the expanding civic space in Tanzania, emphasising the need to enhance citizens’ political efficacy and agency.

Briefing the media on planned CSO Week 2024 activities, FCS strategic adviser Prudence Zoe Glorious said community outreach sessions are scheduled for Wednesday.

“CSO Week 2024 extends beyond the conference room with community outreach programmes. For example, the Community-Based Climate Action, organised by FCS, will visit Chanzi, an initiative that employs black soldier fly larvae to transform food waste into nutritious protein for animal feed,” she said.

In collaboration with Twaweza, the outreach session of Youth Hub Arusha, Restless Development and MEDEA will amplify the voices of young people. The forum will focus on engaging youth, sharing knowledge and fostering innovative solutions to shape Tanzania’s future.

Another outreach session will involve Save the Children and will be about essential health and nutrition services with a particular focus on mothers/caregivers, adolescents, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

A youth symposium will take place at Tengeru Institute. The symposium is designed to nurture youth movements and initiatives that can drive positive change and will bring together young people from higher learning institutions and the community to exchange ideas and collaborate on challenges facing youth.

This year’s event will also highlight the role of “Bold Voices and the Power of Citizen Agency” in driving conversations on freedom of speech and civic engagement that promote citizen-led development.