► To conciliate and mediate disputes among communities, organisations, groups and individuals ► Developing and implementing programmes that promote national healing, unity and cohesion in Zimbabwe, and ► Peaceful resolution of disputes The NPRC as an independent body-corporate is anticipated to transparently and in a nonpartisan manner, analyse, interpret and contextualise past conflicts in order to shape a truly peaceful future; provide safe spaces for facilitated dialogues; provide extensive training programmes in prevention of violent conflict and in the management, resolution and transformation of conflicts; provide extensive mediation services and commission studies to inform its work. The Commission shall provide policy advice to the Republic of Zimbabwe and key stakeholders in sustaining peace and development in the country and facilitate the development and supervise implementation of programmes and activities for the promotion of equality, national healing, cohesion and unity. It should be noted that the NPRC is not a Truth and Reconciliation Commission but seeks to promote peace building and reconciliation amongst Zimbabweans. It seeks to restore relationships, which were violated, making amends and integrating societies that were otherwise torn apart by violent conflict. One of the key functions of the NPRC is to bring about national reconciliation by encouraging people to tell the truth about the past and facilitating the making of amends and the provision of justice. The NPRC therefore is envisaged to go beyond just truth telling by bringing healing and reconciliation and ultimately development. Structure of the NPRC As outlined in the Constitution, the NPRC Commissioners will be chosen for their integrity, knowledge and understanding of, and experience in, mediation, conciliation, conflict prevention and management, post-conflict reconciliation or peace building. In terms of its structure, it is envisaged that the NPRC will have structures from the national level right down to the village. At the national level, there shall be the NPRC which will have nine members with half of them being women. Truth Commissions: the Best Practices 37