The Democracy Strengthening in Zambia (DSZ) was officially launched on 20 October 2020 at Premier Sarova Nakhumath Hotel in Lusaka. The event was graced by the Minister of Justice Mr. Given Lubinda, the UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Lionel Laurens, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia, Judge Esau Chulu, among others.
About 120 people attended the event – both virtual and face-to-face – and these included the First Deputy Speaker Mrs. Catharine Namugala and the Ambassadors (or Representatives) of Germany, Ireland, EU, Japan and Sweden who are funding the DSZ. The latter used the occasion to pledge their respective financial donations to the project, with the EU Ambassador His Excellency Jacek Jankowski on behalf of all project donors presenting a dummy cheque worth USD 10, 272, 990 to the UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Lionel Laurens.
