By Fanuel Chinowaita
MUTARE – The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) on Monday held a Youth Digital Dialogue workshop in Mutare aimed at equipping young people with digital skills to engage on issues of natural resource governance.
In his opening remarks, CNRG Executive Director Farai Maguwu urged youths to use digital platforms to speak out against exploitation and environmental degradation.
“Youths must occupy their space and be vocal in protecting their resources,” said Maguwu. “When I raised the issue of illegal mining at Christmas Pass, I used a tweet that reached thousands of people. That is the power of digital platforms, and I encourage young people to use them effectively.”
CNRG Communications and Advocacy Officer Donald Nyarota said the training was part of a broader project being implemented in Manicaland, Hwange, Bikita, and Masvingo.
“Today we are engaging youths in Manicaland, empowering them with digital skills to engage on natural resource governance,” said Nyarota.
“This project, called Enhancing Advocacy and Capacity Building for CBOs and CSOs, is aimed at ensuring that young people can speak on issues affecting their communities such as gold mining in Penhalonga and diamond mining in Marange.”
He added that youth were a critical demographic in driving sustainable change.
“Youths are not just leaders for tomorrow. They are the current generation,” said Nyarota. “When empowered, they will influence policymakers and ensure community voices are heard. We want them to speak on issues like environmental degradation and lack of rehabilitation after mining activities.”
The training also covered content creation, digital security, fact-checking, and engaging policymakers. Nyarota stressed the importance of equipping youths to navigate misinformation, disinformation and use online spaces responsibly.
Participants welcomed the initiative, describing it as a turning point in youth involvement in governance.
“We would like to express our sincere appreciation to CNRG for facilitating such an insightful training,” said Tanaka Tekeshe of Manica Youth Assembly. “As young people, we now have a deeper understanding of the power we hold when we use digital spaces responsibly and effectively.”
Another participant, Solomon Mandirasa, a youth developer from Mutasa District, said: “True investment uplifts people, creates decent jobs, protects the environment and respects human dignity. What we are seeing as youth is the opposite – modern-day colonization under the cover of development.”
The workshop was part of CNRG’s ongoing advocacy to empower marginalized groups, especially youths and women, in line with the government’s development blueprint, the National Development Strategy 1 and 2.