Changes ahead for Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe's deep crisis continues unabated, with a devastated economy and sustained political violence and repression. National elections are due to be held in 2008, but few expect these to be free and fair despite new attempts by South Africa to mediate between the ruling party and split opposition. Brian Raftopoulos, well known Zimbabwean academic and activist, has been centrally involved in the current mediation process. At the Nordic Africa Institute he will speak about this process and about prospects for change in Zimbabwe. Brian Raftopoulos is Director of Research and Advocacy at the Solidarity Peace Trust in Cape Town, South Africa. The Trust is an NGO dealing with human rights issues in Zimbabwe. Previously he was Associate Professor of Development Studies at the University of Zimbabwe. Raftopoulos was a member of the founding Task Force of the National Constitutional Assembly 1998-2000 as well as the first Chair of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition from 2001-2003. Wednesday 21 November 15.15 - 17.00 Venue: Nordiska Afrikainstitutet, Kungsgatan 38, Uppsala. For more information about the seminar: http://www.nai.uu.se/events/lectures/raftopoulos071121/ -- ********************************************************* Susanne Linderos Information Manager Nordiska Afrikainstitutet/The Nordic Africa Institute Visitor's address: Kungsgatan 38, 753 21 Uppsala Postal address: PO Box 1703, SE-751 47 UPPSALA, Sweden Phone: +46 18 56 22 06 (direct) Phone: +46 18 56 22 00 (exchange) Fax: +46 18 56 22 90 E-mail: Susanne.Linderos@nai.uu.se Internet: http://www.nai.uu.se *********************************************************