Officiating at the close of the two-week Itorero training programme for youth living abroad today at the Gabiro School of Infantry, President Paul Kagame urged the participants to fight for what they believed in and not to see themselves as lesser human beings.

Sharing his own life experiences with the 269 youth, he told them that his life journey had given him his identity.

"I have moved across many borders in search of my identity, now that I have finally found it, I cannot lose it again…you must fight for your identity and draw lessons before it is too late…before you are part of a system that sees you as a secondary human being. That is not where Rwanda or Africa belongs”, Kagame told them.

The President also urged them to embrace the culture of hard work. "We are in a situation where while others walk, we must run to acquire things that we deserve to have but do not yet have…we must build our capacity, acquire knowledge to achieve our ambition to succeed and to be better every day, every week, every month, every year. I humbly ask you to make choices that fulfill your full potential”, he said.  

This year’s Itorero programme, under the theme ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda: The legacy for prosperity’ brought together youth from 21 countries around the world.  During the two weeks, the youth received lesson on the history of Rwanda, post-genocide social and economic transformation and the ideal values that will propel Rwanda to Vision 2020.

The main aim of the Itorero program for youth living abroad is to create a strong link between them and their motherland as well as instill the spirit of patriotism, unity and self reliance in them.

This was the 7th program, since it was first instituted. The 6th program took place in Gako in 2011, bringing together over 300 Diaspora youths.