DPR3702 Portfolio (DETAILED
ANSWERS) Semester 2 2023 - DUE
2 October 2023.
, SECTION A.
1.
Using the four principles of consensus public relations, explain how SADC can facilitate
negotiations among all interested parties in Zimbabwe to reach consensus and improve
governance:
The four principles of consensus public relations involve fostering mutual understanding, building
trust, promoting dialogue, and achieving consensus. In the context of resolving disputed elections
in Zimbabwe, SADC can employ these principles as follows:
a. Fostering Mutual Understanding: SADC should engage all parties involved, including the
government, opposition, civil society, and international observers. They should facilitate meetings
and discussions to ensure that each party understands the concerns and perspectives of the
others. This might involve creating opportunities for representatives of different factions to share
their views and grievances openly.
b. Building Trust: Trust is essential for productive negotiations. SADC can build trust by acting as
a neutral mediator, demonstrating transparency, and maintaining confidentiality where necessary.
They should also ensure that all parties have an equal voice in the negotiation process, thus
showing impartiality.
c. Promoting Dialogue: SADC should encourage open and honest dialogue among the parties.
They can set up structured negotiations that include face-to-face meetings, roundtable
discussions, and channels for written communication. These dialogues should focus on identifying
common goals and areas of compromise.
d. Achieving Consensus: SADC's ultimate goal is to help the parties reach a consensus that
ensures a fair and credible electoral process. To achieve this, they should facilitate negotiations
that lead to agreements on key issues, such as electoral reforms, the composition of electoral
bodies, and the timeline for elections. SADC can draw on international best practices and
precedents to guide these negotiations.
ANSWERS) Semester 2 2023 - DUE
2 October 2023.
, SECTION A.
1.
Using the four principles of consensus public relations, explain how SADC can facilitate
negotiations among all interested parties in Zimbabwe to reach consensus and improve
governance:
The four principles of consensus public relations involve fostering mutual understanding, building
trust, promoting dialogue, and achieving consensus. In the context of resolving disputed elections
in Zimbabwe, SADC can employ these principles as follows:
a. Fostering Mutual Understanding: SADC should engage all parties involved, including the
government, opposition, civil society, and international observers. They should facilitate meetings
and discussions to ensure that each party understands the concerns and perspectives of the
others. This might involve creating opportunities for representatives of different factions to share
their views and grievances openly.
b. Building Trust: Trust is essential for productive negotiations. SADC can build trust by acting as
a neutral mediator, demonstrating transparency, and maintaining confidentiality where necessary.
They should also ensure that all parties have an equal voice in the negotiation process, thus
showing impartiality.
c. Promoting Dialogue: SADC should encourage open and honest dialogue among the parties.
They can set up structured negotiations that include face-to-face meetings, roundtable
discussions, and channels for written communication. These dialogues should focus on identifying
common goals and areas of compromise.
d. Achieving Consensus: SADC's ultimate goal is to help the parties reach a consensus that
ensures a fair and credible electoral process. To achieve this, they should facilitate negotiations
that lead to agreements on key issues, such as electoral reforms, the composition of electoral
bodies, and the timeline for elections. SADC can draw on international best practices and
precedents to guide these negotiations.
