by Fungai Munetsi
ZCIEA National President Lorraine Sibanda was re-elected as StreetNet International President for the third term on the 4th of May 2023 at the just-ended StreetNet 7th Congress in Kigali Rwanda. The Congress had 150 delegates from 52 countries all over the world, with 52 affiliates Informal Economy Associations who are affiliates.
At present, StreetNet has about 650 000 members affiliated with it from all continents of the world. Vice President Alberto Santana is from the Dominican Republic, Secretary Jamaladdin Ismayilov-Xhidmat is from Azerbaijan and Treasurer Jeannette Nyiramasengesho is from Rwanda.
Speaking after the just-ended Congress, Lorraine Sibanda said Informal Economy Organisations should continue to advocate for the extension of social protection to the informal economy. She further stated that StreetNet and its affiliates would intensify their fight for the ratification and implementation of ILO Convention 190. ILO Convention 190 speaks about eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work. Implementation of ILO Convention 190 will enable countries to realise an effective and sustainable transition from an Informal Economy to formality.
Newly elected International Council members are as follows: Jesca Mwijuka, UMAEU, Uganda, Lameck Kashiwa, AZIEA, Zambia, Gbenga Komolafe, FIWON, Nigeria, Maya Gurung, NEST, Nepal, Anthony Kwache, KENASVIT, Kenya, Afiavi Anastasie Chodaton, SYNAVAMAB, Benin, Martha Garcia Santoyo, FNOTNA, Mexico, Alice Nkunzimana, SYVEBU, Burundi, Jose Herminio Diaz, FESTIVES, El Savador, Jorge Antonio Peralta, FENTRAVIG, Guatemala and Tamara Bodnari, MBS, Moldova.