


Oripha Chimwara is a political scientist and author whose publications span areas of natural resource governance, women, and democratization. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in youth participation. Through her research and publications, she promotes accountability, democratic governance, and social justice. Acceptance into the Youth Research Network under the European Partnership for Democracy is a humbling learning experience for furthering youth research to promote inclusion in decision-making processes. The incessant youth calls on ‘Nothing for us without us’ should not be seen as signs of disrespect; instead, they are calls for space that allows the youth to be, flourish, and take a hand in addressing global challenges whose disastrous consequences know no boundaries. Harnessing youth potential in decision-making processes is part of the solution to contemporary global disasters.
Why working on Youth Political Participation?
Youthhood is an essential social category and stage where individuals endeavor to fulfill the dreams long cherished as they grew up. However, in most countries, including Zimbabwe, young people tend to be frustrated by the unconducive economic and political environment. YouthHood also signifies a critical time when mentorship and nurturing should take place. However, in most instances, generational politics tend to be characterized as unruly and deviant behavior of the youth. Therefore, as a young person, I wish to actively participate in advancing youth research aimed at changing the stereotyping narratives and shaping policy oriented at harnessing youth potential in addressing global and local contemporary challenges. I, therefore, work on youth political participation as a means of speaking for the youth. At the same time, I believe in documenting the youth narratives, challenges encountered, successes made, and prospective courses of action. It is essential to engage through research in dialogue on the best international practices on youth political participation reflective of the local context where I come from.
Unconventional about Oripha
Since the ‘rule of thumb’ demonstration my part one professor invited me to participate in, I have wanted to be in academia. In fact, soon after the demonstration, he officially crowned me ‘the assistant professor.’ The demonstration wasn’t pleasant for the shy girl I was, yet when I look back, it constituted the prophetic call I have ever received to be in academia. Though a simple demonstration in one of the local halls at my university, it turned out to be an elaborative action of what the profession entails. To my professor, the rule of thumb demonstration was all I needed to choose a profession
Personality who Oripha admires most

I continually admire my late mother, Barbara. She held my hand and cheered each winding path I trod. Mostly cherished- she gave me wings to fly against societal stereotyping. She gave me the voice to question practices and principles that accept power imbalances as usual and the example of the beauty of collaborative interactions between two different generations! The world would be a better place if the younger generation were deliberately involved and given the space to become and make contributions to contemporary societal challenges.
Link to papers already published
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334948574_The_Sustainability_of_Diamond_Mining_in_Zimbabwe