Zimbabwe has strengthened its international cooperation in arts and culture, youth development, higher education and heritage preservation after Cabinet approved a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Belarus, Qatar and South Africa.
Speaking during yesterday’s Post-Cabinet Briefing, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Soda Zhemu, said the MoU between Zimbabwe and Belarus on cooperation in the field of arts and culture would provide a framework for collaboration in various cultural disciplines, including exhibitions, workshops, heritage preservation and exchange of expertise.
“Cabinet considered and approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Belarus concerning cooperation in the field of arts and culture,” Dr Zhemu said.
The agreement seeks to strengthen cooperation in areas including joint exhibitions, seminars and workshops, exchange of experts on museums, folklore and films, as well as the protection and restoration of historical and cultural heritage, festivals, visual arts, traditional handicrafts, music and dances,” he added.
He said Cabinet also approved an MoU between Zimbabwe and the State of Qatar on cooperation in youth development, which will establish mechanisms for collaboration on programmes aimed at empowering young people.
“The Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the State of Qatar on cooperation in the field of youth will establish a framework for cooperation in youth programmes, including youth entrepreneurship, development of national youth policies, exchange of experiences and related research,” Dr Soda said.
The Minister said the agreements were aligned with Government’s commitment to supporting young people through initiatives that promote innovation, entrepreneurship and skills development.
Cabinet also approved a separate MoU between Zimbabwe and South Africa on cooperation in higher education and training, which seeks to enhance academic collaboration between the two neighbouring countries.
Dr Soda said the agreement would create a legal framework for cooperation in higher education while promoting exchange programmes, joint research initiatives, institutional partnerships and mutual recognition of qualifications.
“The Memorandum seeks to broaden access to quality education through exchange programmes, joint research initiatives, fostering of institutional partnerships as well as mutual recognition of qualifications,” he said.
In the heritage sector, Cabinet approved another MoU between Zimbabwe and South Africa on cooperation in arts, culture and heritage, which is expected to deepen collaboration in preserving shared historical experiences.
Dr Soda said the agreement would promote cooperation in the conservation and restoration of archival documents, collaboration between national archives and museums, prevention of cross-border trafficking of cultural property and exchange of heritage materials.
“The agreement will facilitate cooperation on the Museum of African Liberation project located in Zimbabwe, including the provision of historical artefacts from the Republic of South Africa’s liberation struggle for display in the museum,” Dr Soda said.
The Minister said the agreements reaffirm Zimbabwe’s commitment to strengthening regional and international partnerships while using culture, education and youth development as key pillars of socio-economic transformation.
