Bristol Links with Mozambique, part 1 of a a two part presentation by Zoe Gibbons and Caroline Pitt
Wednesday 14th January 2026
Zoe Gibbons, Bristol Council International Twinning Officer, will introduce us to the first of two presentations about this 35 years relationship between Beira and Bristol.
Zoe has been involved with international grassroot football groups for over 22 years, who advocate for equality and inclusion through sport, fostering cultural understanding and friendship. She is also an established artist, and facilitates creative workshops in schools and community settings. Zoe is committed to promoting global citizenship in Bristol, organising workshops in schools and at city events.
In 1990, prompted by the charity Southern Aftrica Resource Centre, Bristol City Council signed a Friendship Agreement with Beira to Municipal Council to celebrate the end of Apartheid in neighbouring South Africa. Bristol Link with Beira (BLB) is a programme of the charity that promotes people-to-people networks between the cities of Bristol in the UK and Beira in Mozambique, to empower and benefit local communities and generate links and learning between the two cities. For over 30 years Bristol Link with Beira has been supporting the Municipality of Beira and its communities in partnership with local non-governmental and community-based organisations to develop in the context of the long-term effects of historical conflict and destabilisation. Natural disasters exacerbated by Climate Change add further challenges to Beira, whilst globally we address issues of Climate Justice.
In the second presentation by Caroline Pitt next week, we will gain further insight into this ongoing project.
Caroline worked for 10 years in Mozambique, based in Beira, designing social and civic infrastructure for urban populations and for the resettlement of rural refugees. She is very aware of global inequalities, including the effects of climate change, in particular rising sea level and severe weather events, on vulnerable communities. Since her return to the UK in 2001, as an Architect and Urban Development Planner, Caroline has engaged with sustainability issues in the built environment, with an emphasis on the educational sector. She leads the Programme Working Group for Bristol Link with Beira. She is active in West Bristol Climate Action and is a Trustee of Bristol's Global Goals Centre.
Venue: Redliffe Tennis Club
Time: 12.45pm
Contact: Tony Richards
Part 2 of our talk on Bristol Councils' ongoing relationship with Beira, Mozambique
Wednesday 21st January 2026
Caroline Pitt, Trustee, Treasurer and Secretary of Bristol Link will continue the story of Bristol Link with Beira, a programme of the charity, Southern Africa Resource Centre.
Caroline worked for 10 years in Mozambique, based in Beira, designing social and civic infrastructure for urban populations and for the resettlement of rural refugees. She is very aware of global inequalities including the effects of climate change, in particular rising sea level and severe weather events, on vulnerable communities. Since her return to the UK in 2001, as an Architect and Urban Development Planner, Caroline has engaged with sustainability issues in the built environment, with an emphasis on the educational sector. She leads the Programme Working Group for Bristol Link with Beira. She is active in West Bristol Climate Action and is a Trustee of Bristol's Global Goals Centre.
As we will have heard in part 1 of the presentation, Bristol Link with Beira promotes people-to-people networks between the cities of Bristol and Beira and benefit local communities in the city of Beira making sure no one is left behind.
The work is based on the strong twinning relationship between the two cities since 1990. We support the city in a number of different ways, through programme development, projects and research. For example, we have long-standing schools programmes, cultural exchanges and many local council initiatives.
With this comprehensive experience Caroline is likely to answer the many questions that surely arise from such an interesting subject.
Venue: Redcliffe Club
Time: 12.45pm
Contact: Tony Richards