Nice Trust, BMC to champion democracy forums

National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust and Bwaila Media Club (BMC) have joined forces to conduct democracy forums as one way of creating a space which can initiate and set the tone for meaningful national discourse on various issues.

BMC treasurer Augustine Mulomole said it is the role of the media to be drivers on a number of fronts whether politically or socially by partnering with players of equal interest.

“Through the creation of these spaces we can provide for an environment where different stakeholders can share issues, exchange ideas and it will act as a meeting point for different players of common interest,” he said

Nice Trust national coordinator Ollen Mwalubunju said the media is critical as it is the link in having well informed, empowered and transformed citizens who can meaningfully participate in public life.

“We want to impact change while at the same time allowing the citizenry to contribute to the social economic change,” he explained.

Mwalubunju said through such forums they intend to strengthen their association with the rural masses whose voice is often neglected at various levels of the many democratic processes.

“This will give us a chance to engage the public through the media. In the long-term, we are looking at collaborating with BMC at different levels in conducting national, regional and district debates,” he said.

BMC is a grouping of journalists from the Central Region with a membership of over 70.