President Paul Kagame has urged Rwandans to continue working together to solve common challenges while holding one another accountable. The President was speaking in Atlanta, US, where he addressed a gathering of more than 2,000 Rwandans and friends of Rwanda during the sixth edition of Rwanda Day.
President Paul Kagame has urged Rwandans to continue working together to solve common challenges while holding one another accountable.
The President was speaking in Atlanta, US, where he addressed a gathering of more than 2,000 Rwandans and friends of Rwanda during the sixth edition of Rwanda Day.
Themed Agaciro: Our Choice, the 6th edition of Rwanda Day focused on Rwanda’s journey in the past 20 years with a focus on the choices the country has made to achieve progress.
Sharing his thoughts on the significance of Agaciro for Rwanda today, the President said: "Being deprived of self worth for so long taught us the full meaning of Agaciro. Agaciro is about creating self worth. It is only achieved if we all value one another. Unity, standing together and holding one another accountable means we are fulfilling the responsibility of Agaciro.”
He pointed out that Rwanda still has a long way to go and urged Rwandans to continue working together to solve common challenges.
"Problems will always be there, you cannot run away from them. You have to confront them. As Rwandans, you have to be prepared to face the many challenges we may face the same way we have faced the challenges in the last 20 years.”
Referring to the choices Rwandans have made to shape their destiny, Kagame said Rwanda’s vision is one that looks beyond its borders.
"Rwanda chose to think big. Thinking big means thinking beyond self and contributing to the well being of your neighbour the same way they contribute to yours.”
Participants at the Rwanda Day in Atlanta on Saturday. (Village Urugwiro)
The Rwanda Day event commenced with a panel discussing youth employment opportunities in Rwanda, followed by a panel moderated by Amb. Jendayi Frazer, comprising Ambassador Andrew Young, Bernice King, CEO the King Centre, John Hope Bryant, chairperson Operation Hope, Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo and Francis Gatare, the Rwanda Development Board Chief Executive Officer; which expounded on the meaning of global dignity.
Noting the values that have been the foundation of Rwanda’s development, Amb. Young pointed to the importance of leadership.
"We appreciate the true leadership that we have been blessed with in President Kagame. Thank you for your vision and most of all for peace in Rwanda. Rwanda is one of the few countries where I could live happily, invest, raise my children and enjoy peace and prosperity.”
President Kagame addressing Rwandans gathered for Rwanda Day held in Atlanta 20 Sept 2014. Source: Paul Kagame/YouTube
Earlier in the day, the President convened the Presidential Advisory Council that discussed Rwanda’s progress to date, including the importance of increasing Rwanda’s exports.
The Presidential Advisory Council also discussed the continuous role of Rwanda in providing peacekeepers worldwide, which puts the country at the 5th position in the world among leading contributors of peacekeepers.
President Kagame ended the 6th edition of Rwanda Day with a promise to honour the Diaspora request to return for more Rwanda Day editions.