THE

THE BIGGER PICTURE INITIATIVE

Much talk has been taking place both in Zimbabwe and throughout the Diaspora Community of Zimbabweans around the world about the role of Zimbabweans that reside outside of the Zimbabwean boarders. Through its recent Voting Rights Campaign 1 Million Zimbabwean Voices called out for the Government of Zimbabwe to give Zimbabweans living abroad the right to participate in Zimbabwean elections regardless of who they are or where they may live.

The effect of this campaign, and the increased activity of various other organisations around the world that have been calling for similar representation in Zimbabwean politics for Zimbabweans resident abroad has lead to a draft paper having been issued on a Mass Migration Policy being issued by the Government of Zimbabwe.

This policy has been issued for consideration and reaction from the general public, and in doing this, it has lead to various issues being brought to the table for due consideration, one of which we consider to be of significant importance to the efforts of various Zimbabwean Organisations around the world, and something which lies at the very heart of our aim here at 1 Million Zimbabwean Voices. This has lead the team at 1 Million Zimbabwean Voices to launch its new Bigger Picture Initiative aimed at communicating a fundamental consideration to Zimbabwean Agencies and Organisations around the world.

It is clear to us, as I am sure it is to you that after ten years of watching the world sit back and watch the situation unfold in Zimbabwe, that it is time of us to stop looking to the International Community for help, and start to become resourceful and purpose driven in finding solutions for Zimbabwe and its problems. One of the biggest issues we believe is the disjointed and un-coordinated approach by Zimbabwean Groups in tackling these issues that is familiar to us all. There are many organisations that work on behalf of Zimbabweans, many that do credible and important work, and others that are not so reputable. There is common failure and impression that each seek to gain glory and fame for themselves, or jealously guard their reputation in fear that someone else will tarnish their image in some way.

This is a sad trend as it leads to confusion and frustration for anyone looking to find help and support through the global support network of Zimbabwean Agencies. It also means that the benefit of a coordinated and united approach is diminished through multiple agencies operating, many of them striving to achieve the same goals. The possibilities of a united approach are lost when scores of organisations struggle to gain exposure and credibility in the eyes of the international donor community, and the public at large. Sadly many of us struggle to survive as in the eyes of the world at large, we are all tarnished by the stripes of the same brush as those who are corrupt.

We all treasure our Independence. This is the reason many of us escaped Zimbabwe to live where we have chosen to settle. 1 Million Zimbabwean Voices is not saying let us all gather together and form one "United Nations" type organisation, as we just like you have worked long and hard to establish ourselves, and do not wish to lose our identity as an organisation any more than you or your own organisation. However, we do feel that there is a very credible argument for us all learning to communicate with each other about our projects, plans and make efforts aimed at learning to work together and in support of each other. To simplify this, all we are suggesting is learning to become friends as organisations, and work together for the greater good of Zimbabweans the world over.

1 Million Zimbabwean Voices are keen to find out more about you, your people, your organisation and in this way, we can spread the word through our media channels to our own members about things that are going on with organisations all over the world in support of our people. We are eager to see people talking about the things that they are doing, the success and difficulties, the possibilities and the pitfalls that we all face, in order that in some way we begin to bring unity and accord to the work we are all trying to achieve.

By talking to each other, we may all learn in the longer term to find ways to not just support each other and pass along information, but work together on projects and utilise the strengths that each of us bring to the table to facilitate progress on the ground and hopefully bring a brighter tomorrow to Zimbabwe sooner rather than later.

Rome wasn't built in a day. We know that these things take time, and many people would rather go it alone than risk getting involved with other people. We ourselves have felt like this at times. But learning to talk and tell each other about the work we are all doing can't be a bad thing. As the GPA in Zimbabwe slowly makes progress, and we see hope beginning to dawn in the sunrise of Zimbabwe's tomorrow, we have seen many useful and exciting projects begin to bloom. Our people deserve to hear these things and feel as optimistic about the future as we do. While many hurdles still face us as a nation, this is the time to seek out each other, learn about our partners strengths and potential, and support each other's growth, image, and success.

We also believe that there is value in learning to communicate with each other in other ways. Dialogue and discussion lead to consensus and understanding, two valuable things needed to build on the strengths our nation has, but has failed to use to its best advantage. Zimbabweans are well educated, resourceful and successful people when given direction, cause and hope, and it is now our duty to bring together people who have the power and drive to bring purpose to our efforts as a community and give momentum and direction to the efforts that are being made in our name by so many organisations.

We touch the lives of more than ten thousand Zimbabwean's through our various media channels, and are looking to build a mutually beneficial relationship with all sorts of reputable Zimbabwean Organisations. We hope that through a combined effort we'll reach more people and be able to help a great number of Zimbabwean's by creating unity between us. We are keen to support projects and talk through issues, and learn through time and effort to think alike, and work smarter, together. We hope that you will see the sense in our initiative and agree that together we are far stronger than apart.

Thank you for taking the time to read through this message, and trust that you will understand our intentions and the end goal we seek to achieve. This is a growing and learning process and we appreciate your input and consideration. We hope that you will undertake to work with 1 Million Zimbabwean Voices and together we can find common solutions to issues and work in support of each other as we all strive to build a better Zimbabwe.

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THE VISION

As Zimbabwean people we have suffered much at the hands of our politicians, who have forgotten their people in their haste to line their pockets, and follow a simple yet destructive pattern of greed and corruption. For a chosen few, life in Zimbabwe is glorious, opulent and full of benefits and private wealth. Forthe rest of the population, food, health, education and survival is a daily struggle under exceptional difficulties.

It is well documented that many Zimbabweans have chosen to escape the economic crisis in Zimbabwe, or been forced to flee the country as the constant threat of violence hangs over the heads of any opposition to the leading regime. Youth leagues for both Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai roam the streets and reports of beatings, arrests and kidnappings are frequently published in the Independent Zimbabwean Press pages. Yet for many of those who have escaped the evil that exists openly in Zimbabwe, life is no better in their chosen sanctuary. Living aboard has proven to be just as difficult if not more dangerous for millions of Zimbabweans.

From scores of Zimbabweans that hide from a failed asylum system in the United Kingdom to thousands of Zimbabweans that roam the streets of Johannesburg trying to find shelter and food, to those who are exposed to the dangers of rape and xenophobia in a country where the nationality of your birth means more than the colour of your skin. From America to China, Zimbabweans from all walks of life, an educated, peaceful, happy people, are subjected to a painful and precarious existence.

These are the things that we find intolerable. Every human is protected in law by either the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Refugee Act, the International Covenants on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and Civil and Political Rights or the Humanitarian Intervention Law. Through these various pieces of legislation that have been drawn up and adopted by the International Community through the United Nations Charter, every Zimbabwean persons rights are protected in law.

Whether it be at home in whatever nation a person their Human Rights are responsibility as an organisaeverything we can to support around the world to fight and organisation our vision is to from every corner of the globe, powerful, strong and be ignored by those in power

Zimbabwe or abroad in chooses to take sanctuary in, protected in law. It is our tion to heed this fact and do our fellow Zimbabweans stand up for their rights. As an gather together Zimbabweans to unite our voice into one determined force that cannot at home nor aboard.

It is our intention to use this on any Organisation that can of Zimbabweans around the International Bodies that regardless of circumstances, regardless of who they are. treated fairly in society. Be it or our children's right to free protect vulnerable people themselves alone and without places, 1 Million Zimbabwean to call for the release of people or to call for our leaders to L __ :...:!:";_~~:i!!~iI!IIlI actively continue to challenge our nation to be a better, safer and more attractive nation in which to live.

voice to bring pressure to bear either help or affect the plight world. We aim to work with protect the rights of the people regardless of situations and Everyone deserves to be demanding our right to vote, education, be it fighting to aboard, or those who find defence in difficult and strange Voices will be there. May it be unjustly detained in Zimbabwe, clean up their act, we will

We do not have political ambitions, but we do expect the best from our leaders. We do not seek to appear to be better than anyone individual, we aim to unite. We realise that alone we are a weak, vulnerable, undirected mass of people with little coordination. Yet together we can make a substantial impact. Together we can constantly remind the world of our plight to survive. Together we can change our nation forthe better. It will be difficult we do not dispute this. To some of you it may seem pointless, but evil exists only while good men and women chose to do nothing.

So our formula is simple. Our target remains the same as before. We aim to unite 1 Million Zimbabwean Voices. We aim to produce a coordinated, united call to our leaders to change the way our nation is being governed or risk being replaced through free and fair elections, monitored by International Peace Keepers. We aim to challenge Organisations and Agencies around the world to step up to the mark and stand up for the Rights of Zimbabwean People. We aim to fight for those unable to fight for themselves.

We will continue to apply pressure on International Governments to call for change in Zimbabwe. We will not allow those of us who live in difficult and dangerous situations to go by unnoticed or forgotten. We will constantly look for good people who are willing to stand shoulder to shoulder and fight for what is right, stand up for what is good and fair and never be quietened while someone is being persecuted or abused. This is our role as 1 Million Zimbabwean Voices. It is time for us all to come together and stand up for what is rightfully ours.

If we get 1 Million or more voices in one singular wave of dissension ... we can heal our nation. With 1 Million or more voices we can change our destiny. 1 Million Voices or more can bring hope, prosperity and a secure future to our Zimbabwe. We must choose today what we want the Zimbabwe of tomorrow to look like. Together we can change our world one day at a time.