Vivid Gwede

Formerly Program Manager for Zimbabwe Alliance Program, responsible for coordinating and leading team to implement projects in governance, civic engagement, community organizing, arts and human rights. Previously National Information & Publicity Officer at Zimbabwe Human Rights Association, where he coordinated information strategy, design and dissemination and assisted program implementation for the grassroots human rights organization's national and field offices. Has also worked for the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, a national coalition of eighty civil society organizations focused on democracy, human rights and governance. Duquesne University Civic Leadership Fellow and former Regional Advisory Board Member of the Mandela Washington Fellowship under the US Department of State sponsored Young Africa Leaders Initiative (YALI). Regular commentator on Zimbabwean affairs in local and international media.

Holds a Diploma in Journalism & Communication from the Christian College of Southern Africa; a bachelor's degree in Policy Studies from the University of South Africa; and is pursuing a master's degree in International Relations at the University of East London.

At MIT, plans to learn about development planning, public policy design and analysis, public administration, and evaluation, with the aim of gaining knowledge and multi-cultural experiences from faculty, researchers, and colleagues that is transferable to the African continent.

Funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs under the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program.