Harare / Zimbabwe
The Palestinian International Cooperation Agency launched a new mission in the Republic of Zimbabwe, this time to intensify the momentum of its cooperation with the countries of the African continent through a development program aimed at developing the capacities of media personnel in the Republic of Zimbabwe. The capacity building mission targeted the Zimbabwe broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), and was conducted through a six-day specialized courses provided by Palestinian media experts to improve the performance of the editorial, production and news staff of ZBC which is preparing to launch the first digital 24-hour television channel.
The value of things may not always be as great as the momentum it creates in every human, a principle espoused by PICA, which cultivated the successful esults at the end of the intensive training program that was concluded yesterday evening in the Zimbabwean capital Harare.
PICA Director General, Imad Al-Zuhairi, considered the media training program as one strategic step that will enhance the capabilities of media staff and develop their individual skills, the fact that will lead to the improvement of the collective performance and the media organization in Zimbabwe as a whole. He added that Zimbabwe is one of the main supporters of Palestine and we should pay back and express appreciation through development programs that PICA will share with Zimbabwe within the available resources. This cooperation comes in accordance with the directions of H.E. President Mahmoud Abbas to strengthen ties with the countries of the African continent and to engage in solidarity campaigns through development, and also to the instructions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, H.E. Dr. Riad Al-Malki to empower and expand the Palestinian identity internationally.
The Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the Republic of Zimbabwe, Taghreed Sanwar, described the relations between Palestine and Zimbabwe as historical that go back to the early stages of the Palestinian revolution and liberation movements in Africa in general and in Zimbabwe in particular, stressing at the same time the importance of opening new horizons of cooperation. Ambassador Sinwar considered PICA successful program as the first step in the the path of consolidating brotherly relations between the two peoples.
The training program which targeted 114 media officials of ZBC was supervised by Instructor and lecturer Hadeel Wahdan from Birzeit University, Osama Nazzal from Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation PBC and Thaer Abu Qubaita – lecturer at the Polytechnic Palestine University.
The palestinian experts conducted a training program focused on developing skills in: writing for television, photography techniques, communication skills and interviewing. This mission was successfully accomplished in coordination with Diplomatic Attaché, Ameed AbdelRahim.
The capacity building program was appreciated by the Zimbabwean Chief Executive Officer Patrick Mavera, who described it as important and essential which would make a qualitative shift in the work of the media staff, as well as the technical departments and heads of departments, directors and trainees.
The Palestinian delegation held a number of important meetings to discuss ways of developing bilateral relations between the two countries, the most important of which was the meeting with the Minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services, H.E. Monica Mutsvangwa, who thanked the Palestinian people and leadership and expressed interest in future cooperation programs that reflect the priorities and interests of both parties. The Palestinian delegation also met with the chargé d’affaires of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Ambassador Musaka, who affirmed her country’s firm and principled position regarding Palestinian issues and renewed her country’s continuous support to palestine in different international forums.
It is worth mentioning that the Republic of Zimbabwe recognized the State of Palestine as soon as it was declared in 1988. The relations between the two countries are characterized by long history and solidarity.
Zimbabwe supports the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and supports the initiatives that should lead to realizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian People and the establishing of the independent State of Palestine. Zimbabwe is a one important supporter of Palestine in the international arena.