watch committee members. The Village and Ward Development Committee members are
most important to be part of this group. However, membership is attained upon filling in the
membership form provided by a Committee elected by Peace Club members. Each Peace
Club will have a constitution that is agreed upon by two thirds majority of members.
b) Duties and Responsibilities for Peace Clubs
Peace Clubs should carry out the following activities to promote peaceful relations within
their local communities
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
5.
To identify convene and discuss important conflict issues affecting communities and
to develop possible solutions where possible.
To carry out conflict mapping and stakeholder analysis exercises and document
conflict issues obtaining in the community
To mobilise local residents to participate in community activities
To organise cost free activities that promote peaceful relations
To undertake income generating projects to sustain the Peace Club as well as
contributing to the development of the community.
Some of the activities identified will be guided by rural district and local government
strategic plans.
Activities
a) Community Conflict Mediation;
During peace building activities, Peace Clubs will be required to play a conflict mediation
role. Conflict mediation happens when the people or groups of people in conflict are failing to
talk to each other to find a solution to their conflict. A mediator helps the conflicting parties to
communicate and find solution among themselves. A good conflict mediator should have
certain skills. These skills include;
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
vii)
Effective listening skills
Good communication skills
Must understand verbal and non-verbal communication
Must have good problem solving skills
Confidentiality and integrity
Ability to accept or absorb the heat of arguments
Ability to protect the process of mediation
b) Community Mobilization;
Peace Clubs will be responsible for mobilising community participants to participate in
different peace building activities. Community mobilization is the process of identifying and
engaging participants for a given event. In Shona, community mobilization means
kukoka/kukokera or ukunxusa in Ndebele.
i) Key Considerations
When planning to mobilize community members for an activity, it is important to think and
ask several questions about why you should mobilize them and who should be mobilized in
the community? The following questions can be used as a guide to community mobilisation;
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©Heal Zim 2016