#004: Challenging abusive extractive industries in Zimbabwe | Farai Maguwu

One Step Forward

Farai is director at the Centre for Natural Resources Governance in Zimbabwe (http://cnrgzim.org), and works to empower communities for whom an abundance of natural resources has brought nothing but trouble. He has attracted considerable international recognition in this role, but this is a slightly more personal story about the journey into human rights advocacy and community organising. Show notes: [02:00] Human rights abuses around natural resources exploitation in Zimbabwe. Farai’s work at home and abroad. [11:00] The perverse effects of natural resources for poor communities, and the limits of responsible sourcing initiatives like the Kimberly process. [17:00] How Farai came to work in this area. The journey from reaction to pro-action, and building a sustainable community movement. [25:00] Lessons from a decade-plus of activism in a repressive political climate. The ethical and practical pitfalls of engaging with the Zimbabwean government. [30:20] Some international influences and inspiration for effective activism around natural resources, including human rights advocacy and "better-governed" countries. [39:00] The frustrations of community advocacy in a hostile political environment, and staying motivated despite little tangible progress. [49:30] How to help enable communities to speak for themselves, in an environment where political speech has been actively supressed for a generation. [55:10] Advice for international institutions that are concerned with natural resources exploitation, if they want to responsibly contribute in situations like Zimbabwe.