Zimbabweans are currently participating in a constitution-making process. The government and Non-Governmental Organisations are carrying out outreach programs to gather public views on the New Zimbabwe Constitution. The proposed draft of the new constitution will be put to a nationwide referendum. This will be Zimbabwe's second constitution. A proposed new constitution to replace the Lancaster House Agreement of 1979 was approved by the Parliament in 1999, but was defeated in the 2000 referendum. Sokwanele is a civic organisation campaigning for freedom and democracy in Zimbabwe. The organisation has an online constitution resource and survey. The purpose of the online constitution resource is: Sokwanele's constitution resource is designed to make it easier for Zimbabweans, and friends of Zimbabwe, to compare different thinking on critical constitutional issues. We encourage you to ‘rate the law’ by awarding stars, and to leave comments and ask questions. Sokwanele's online constitution survey will enable Zimbabweans living abroad to participate in the constitution-making process: Sokwanele is today launching an online Constitution survey that aims to gather views from Zimbabweans everywhere, including the millions of Zimbabweans who live in the Diaspora and who have been largely excluded from the constitution-making process. The survey can be found at this link here. Please help us to spread the word about the availability of the constitution survey either by forwarding this mailing, or by sending this e-card to everyone you know. Amy Saunderson-Meyer reflects on lessons that Zimbabweans can learn from Kenya's constitution referendum: I could not help but compare coverage of the Kenyan referendum to the Zimbabwean constitution-making process and reflect on what we can learn from Kenya. Although the countries’ circumstances are not totally comparable, we certainly can’t afford to let the Zimbabwean constitution-making process drag on for 20 years, as it did in Kenya! The first factor that looms large is the fundamental role that a vigilant civil society plays in provoking public participation and debate, promoting state transparency and accountability, maintaining pressure and ultimately achieving change. A recent blog post on Pambazuka discusses the pivotal contributions that organizations such as the Association of Professional Societies in East Africa, Kenya Land Alliance, Kikuyus for Change and Kenyan Asian Forum made during the Kenyan constitution-making process. The role of a vibrant media: The second factor is the role that a vibrant media has in driving reform. According to an opinion piece in the Washington Times, both civil society and the media have played a part in the constitution-making process in Kenya and will continue to do so. “Kenya is blessed with free and vibrant media and a vigilant civil society that relentlessly shines light into all corners of government activity,” it read. “This will heighten scrutiny in the use of public finances and resources by the executive and legislature.” Her conclusion: A vigilant civil society, vibrant media and new media tools have played a pivotal role in Kenya’s constitution-making process. We must not underestimate the value of these organizations and tools during our process in Zimbabwe as we continue to strive towards the formation of a new constitution and a more democratic nation. Talk Constitution's report from community Voice Up constitution outreach meeting: Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition held a community outreach meeting under the Voice Up constitutional campaign in Mudzi on the 3rd of September 2010 which was attended by 43 people (26 male and 17 female). The campaign is aimed at providing civic education to communities on the constitutional reform process and enhancing citizen participation in the process. The meeting was addressed by Mr. Carter Muchada from the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) who spoke on socio-economic rights and systems of government and Ms. Maria Mache from the Crisis Coalition Secretariat who spoke on women’s issues in the constitution and the importance of citizen participation. The following issues were raised by members of the Mudzi community; 1. There are allegedly high levels of coaching and intimidation of citizens by ZANU PF in the area. It was reported that villagers were divided into 17 groups based on the thematic areas and furnished with answers to different talking points by leaders of the political party in Mudzi district. It was further alleged that every Thursday, meetings are convened where villagers are threatened with unspecified action if they fail to give ‘appropriate’ responses. 2.