The Zimbabwe Foreign Service Institute (ZFSI) and the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC) on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening Zimbabwe’s diplomacy through research, knowledge generation and the preservation of national values.
The agreement was witnessed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira, who said the partnership marked an important milestone in building a research-driven foreign service capable of advancing Zimbabwe’s interests on the global stage.
“The partnership marks a significant step towards strengthening Zimbabwe’s diplomacy through research, knowledge and national values,” he said.
Prof. Murwira stressed that diplomacy in the modern era should extend beyond political engagement to become a catalyst for economic transformation.
“Modern diplomacy must drive economic development, with diplomats serving as economic negotiators who promote trade and national prosperity.
Zimbabwe’s diplomatic representatives should be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to secure investment opportunities, expand trade and contribute to the country’s economic growth,” Minister Murwira added.
The Minister also underscored the importance of documenting Zimbabwe’s history, values and liberation heritage, saying the responsibility of telling the nation’s story should remain in the hands of Zimbabweans.
“We must document Zimbabwe’s history, values and liberation heritage so that our country’s story is told by Zimbabweans themselves,” he said.
Prof Murwira said the agreement between ZFSI and SARDC would promote the production of quality research to support the formulation of foreign policy while preserving the country’s national identity.
“The partnership would also ensure that diplomats develop a deeper understanding of Zimbabwe’s values, history and strategic interests, enabling them to effectively represent the country’s priorities in international engagements,” he said.
According to the Minister, the collaboration is expected to strengthen institutional capacity within the foreign service by promoting knowledge-based diplomacy anchored on national interests.
“The initiative would contribute to building a confident foreign service equipped with the intellectual and research capabilities required to respond to emerging global challenges while advancing Zimbabwe’s development agenda through effective international engagement,” Prof Murwira said.
The Zimbabwe Foreign Service Institute is responsible for training and developing Zimbabwe’s diplomats and foreign service personnel, while the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre is a regional research institution that specialises in policy research, documentation and knowledge management.
The Memorandum of Understanding is expected to foster collaboration in research, training and documentation to support Zimbabwe’s foreign policy objectives.
