Bilateral relations between Rwanda and Sweden received a boost last week following a visit by delegation of Swedish scholars from His MajestyÂ’'s Foundation for Young Leadership, a foundation initiated by Swedish King, Carl XVI Gustaf.

The Foundation, established to support leadership education and training for Swedish youth, chose Rwanda to enable the scholars learn from the country’s experience as they seek to develop their leadership-based values. Since 2006, three young people, selected from the public, private sectors as well as the civil society, are awarded scholarships by the Foundation.

During a reception hosted in honour of the scholars by the Swedish Embassy, Maria Hakansson, the Charge d’Affairs, said that the week-long stay in the country had provided a chance to the youth to learn from the country as well as give inputs during their interactions with  various institutions in the country.

"It was an exchange programme of sorts and a learning opportunity for both parties. They had a chance to interact with various institutions; both public and non-government, as well as visit the country’s touristic scenes,” Hakansson said.

Benjamin Nzeyimana, acting Director in charge of Europe, said that the visit was a testimony to the existing good relations between the two countries and cooperation in matters to further improve the welfare of their citizens.

He described Sweden as Rwanda’s main strategic partner in the Nordic countries.

"Since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Sweden has been a key partner in strategic areas such as poverty reduction, democratic governance, research and environment projects.  There have been clear results from all the projects that we have partnered in,” Nzeyimana said.

He urged the Foundation to consider extending the programme to Rwanda to benefit the country’s youth who make up bigger part of the population.

Emma Jango, the Director of the Foundation, said that they chose Rwanda was because of the development curve the country had experienced in the recent past.

"Rwanda has a history to learn from, accomplishments and development in the recent past…,” Jango said.

She added that beyond the tourism experience, the Swedish youth had also learnt of opportunities in the country that might be pursued in the future.

John Franco, a 32-year-old policeman and one of the scholarship beneficiaries, said Rwanda’s resilience and a mentality focused on solutions would be his lesson to carry home.