development and reparations. From the experience of the South African truth commission, Dr. du Toit identified the notion of accountability as critical to avoid cycles of revenge and retribution and a return to the past. Going forward, he proposed working carefully to ensure that political will is secured, to empower educators to take results of truth commissions to the classroom and to ensure that promises made, are promises kept. Lessons Learned The need to address the needs of both victims and perpetrators The need to strike a balance between peace and justice The need to ensure that follow-up mechanisms are not vague The need for follow-up mechanisms that will ensure the lack of political will does not interfere with the implementation of the recommendations ► The need for collaboration and coordination across government departments ► ► ► ► Way Forward The following points were discussed as the framework for engagement around NPRC in Zimbabwe: ► Civil society organisations (CSOs) should actively engage with the political formations on the NPRC and campaign for persons of integrity to be included as commissioners ► That CSOs should introduce the functions of the NPRC into mainstream activities and train and educate society on the role of NPRC ► CSOs should engage with parliamentarians because of their role in establishing enabling legislation for the NPRC ► Civil society should emphasise the best practices in setting up of commissions. ► The relationship between government and CSOs should be reconfigured to build shared truths and develop a good working relationship ► When engaging the state, CSOs need to develop strategic not offensive language - a language of truth, justice and reconciliation. There is a need for actors in Zimbabwe to grow beyond a language of violence as a strategy for building bridges. ► There is a need for a clear and comprehensive compilation of data on human rights violations for the benefit of the NPRC ► CSOs to come up with key benchmarks of an acceptable commission and engage key sectors and stakeholders before the commission is established. Truth Commissions: the Best Practices 17