Over 4 million Rwandan youth will participate in various outreach activities across the country as part of activities to mark the YouthConnekt Month, which was officially launched on May2. The youth should use the month to reflect on where they are coming from and what they can do to contribute toward national development.  The youth are a critical resource and should be at the forefront of national development efforts.

As government continues to address the challenges facing the youth such as unemployment and lack of marketable skills, the youth should also refrain from acts that may derail these efforts. This is a message all leaders should pass on to the youth during the national YouthConnekt Month organised by the Ministry of Youth and ICT in collaboration with various stakeholders.

During the long month, the youth should reflect on how best they can transform their lives and share ideas to make their communities a better place. They should also exchange ideas on challenges facing the youth and how they can be addressed in line with achieving the country’s growth vision.

Many youth engage in activities that are a threat to their lives and in contravention of the law. According to Police most of the cases of drug abuse and alcoholism are common among the youth. As a result many youth, engage in acts like drug abuse, and risky sexual behavior leading to problems like dropping out of school and unwanted pregnancies, among others.

Local leaders should continue engaging the youth through sensitisistion through programmes and initiatives that can help them to be more productive because they hold the key to the future of Rwanda.