The National Youth Council (NYC) has met 40 representatives of youth organisations to discuss strategies of empowering younger people to work for the development of their country.

The meeting that took place in Kigali on Thursday also attracted non-governmental organisations and faith-based groups.

In addition to social issues that affect the youth, participants also discussed the economic status and support to the organisations.

Speaking during the event, the Executive Secretary of the NYC, Alphonse Nkuranga, urged the youth to make good use of the national empowerment programmes to fight poverty.

"In addition to working with financial institutions, government opportunities like the Business Development Fund (BDF) guarantees should be effectively used so that youth projects can be implemented,” Nkuranga said.

He promised that the council will continue supporting the youth especially through their respective cooperatives identified to have good and appropriate projects. Youths were also urged to register their organisations with the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) for recognition so as to benefit from government programme.

Nkuranga promised that the council will continue to advocate for the support of the youth.

During the meeting, the youth raised various issues including the unemployment problem.

The Coordinator of the NYC, Norbert Shyerezo, said that the government has established the national employment programme in which different ministries will share views to address the unemployment issue.

The participants at the meeting were also encouraged to embrace initiatives for Technical, Vocation Education and Training (TVET) by the government because they are the base for self-reliance and national development.

Speaking on behalf of the youth organisations, Grace Usanase who represented Never Again- Rwanda said that the meeting was fruitful as the youth managed to share their challenges in seeking lasting solutions.

"When we met, it gave us that confidence that our challenges will be addressed because this was a forum through which our leaders get our views and respond to them,” she said.