Executive Committee Minutes : 28th March 2009

ZAMBIA DIASPORA CONNECT : EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

Minutes – 28th March 2009

Present: Paul Lupunga (PL), Musaba Chailunga (MC), Chola Mukanga (CM), Chasaya Sichilima (CS), Bright Chinganya (BC)

Apologies: Thandiwe Chihana (TC),

• Review of Actions of the 28th February Meeting: Outstanding action 6 – BC was reminded to submit his contribution to forward his thematic group information to MC. Actions: BC to forward web material to MC by 14th April 2009.
• Final Report Finalisation: PL explained progress on the finalisation of the report. Actions: PL to finalise the report and ensure that it is distributed to the relevant parties in Zambia.
• Project Prioritisation: CM explained that two projects had now been prioritised to be taken forward in the short term (a school project and the Diaspora skills database). LP explained that there was the possibility of considering setting up a policy review, though care was needed on how that would be resourced and prioritisation vis-à-vis other projects. The group agreed that this issue required further discussion post Indaba as it depended on understanding the demand from the Zambian side. Thereafter decisions would be made on taking forward prioritisation. Actions: PL to report on the discussions in Zambia with regards the scope and demand for policy reviews.
• Government Diaspora Awareness: PL briefed the group on the likelihood of a cross government meeting to discuss Diaspora initiatives. As this was an internal government meeting Zambia Diaspora Connect were not invited.
• National Indaba 2009: CS briefed the group on the liaison with government regarding the Indaba and the travel plan. CS explained that a presentation was being prepared focused on the core areas of interest for Zambia Diaspora Connect.
• Website: It was agreed that it was crucial the website was up and running fairly soon in view of the increasing publicity of the organisation. Actions: MC to ensure progress was made before the next meeting.
• Administration: It was noted that the meetings where taking too long to complete and also that not all actions were being completed on time because meetings were too regular. It was resolved that the meetings will now be held for 2 hours every last Saturday of the month, with short mid-month meetings not lasting more than 45 minutes to catch-up on any pressing issues. Committee members were encouraged to organise bilateral discussions and resolve issues quickly to help reduce agenda items at the monthly meetings.

Next Meeting: 26th April 2009