the objectives to; increase capacity of local community members to identify, document and report violations of environmental, socio-economic cultural rights. Communities reported violations to environmental rights, namely; the right to good health due to air and water pollution resulting from mining activities. Other participants included traditional leaders, district administrator’s office, Rural District Council officials and community based groups/human rights defenders. From the trainings it was found that the communities are now aware of ZHRC’s existence, mandate and functions and that several human rights issues arise in the mining Communities, for instance violation of environmental rights 10.5.3. Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba 2016 The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Thematic Working Group on Environmental Rights participated in the 5th edition of the Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI) organised by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) at Holiday Inn, Bulawayo, from the 28th to the 29th of September 2016. The theme for the workshop was “Mining Sector Reforms: A call for Economic, Social and Environmental Justice” ZAMI is a multi-stakeholder engagement forum that explores opportunities and challenges related to the country’s mining sector. The event has been organised since 2012 and has exuded tremendous growth to become one of the most influential public interest annual national meetings. ZAMI is also a national process feeding to the regional movement of the Alternative Mining Indaba. Participants at the conference included Community Based Organisations, Ministers, Members of Parliament, the Clerk of Parliament, and Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines, Traditional Leaders, Local Authorities, Media, Government Departments, Mining Companies, Small Scale Miners, Artisanal Miners, Civil Society Organisations and ZHRC. Regional representation was from Mozambique, Zambia, South Africa, Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo. The conference recommended that the mineral and mining reforms should be included in the Minerals and Mines Amendment Bill and that the proposed Bill should take cognisance of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). 10.5.4. Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) Responsible Investments Conference The ETWG was invited to participate in a Responsible Investment Conference and a one day exchange visit in Gwanda. The activities were organised by ZELA under the auspices of the Embassy of Finland Lusaka and Christian Aid. The multi-stakeholder engagement was an organised forum that was meant to explore opportunities and challenges related to the country’s mining sector. The forum had an effect of increasing best practices to be adopted within mining communities when it comes to business and environment. The participants included Rural District Councils (Gwanda; Shurugwi; Mutare; Mhondoro-Ngezi; Mutoko; Zvishavane and Bindura),Communities from the listed RDCs; Chiefs (Nhamba-Garanyemba; Mathema; Masuku; Mathe-Gungwe; Masunda; Mapanzure; Ndanga; Chirau; Zvimba), National Investment Economic Board, Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education, The media and donors. 10.5.5. Extraordinary Environmental Rights Thematic Working Meeting The ETWG in collaboration with ZELA conducted an Extra-Ordinary meeting of Protecting, Promoting and Enforcing Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms 41