By Lameck Makula
On the 12th of September the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), held a capacity-building and research mapping workshop for young lawyers in Mutare. The workshop sought to widen their capacity to deal with legal complexities involved in defending the rights of communities against the impacts of extractive industries in Zimbabwe.
The program fell under the USAID-funded Strengthening Extractive and Natural Resources Transparency and Accountability through Citizen Action and Parliamentary Oversight in Zimbabwe (STACAP) project.
CNRG has been working to strengthen and empower civil society, mining-affected communities, mine workers’ unions and general citizenry so they can effectively hold duty bearers and extractive industries accountable.
The workshop’s main objective was to improve the knowledge and ability of lawyers to effectively address the financial, social, and environmental challenges that extractive communities face.
The growing negative impacts of extractive industries require a pool of legal practitioners with a passion for social justice. CNRG believes progressive lawyers can push the frontiers of the law so as to influence legislative and judicial reforms for the protection of the vulnerable.
Proper natural resource governance can play a crucial role in sustainable development and the preservation of the environment.
Accordingly, CNRG recognized that lawyers, as key legal stakeholders, have a responsibility to ensure proper adherence to laws and regulations governing the management of natural resources.
The workshop created a platform to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing between CNRG and legal professionals. It also equipped lawyers with skills necessary for effective defending of communities and the environment against destructive mining projects. working in the field of natural resources governance.
The workshop was facilitated by Simbarashe Absolom Murondoti who touched on the Fundamentals of Natural Resources Governance, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Legal Remedies and Dispute Resolution, and International Standards and Corporate Social Responsibility.
By equipping legal professionals with specialized knowledge and skills, the workshop will contribute lead to a greater demand for social justice.
Natural resource extraction, environmental degradation, and social injustices are interconnected and pose significant challenges in Zimbabwe which CNRG has been consistent in fighting over the years.
While Zimbabwe is blessed with abundant natural resources, including minerals, and diverse wildlife CNRG has been highlighting that mismanagement of these resources will result in environmental degradation and social injustices. CNRG will continue to reach out and collaborate with other stakeholders such as lawyers, the media, labour unions and others to improve natural resources governance.