About 60 leaders of the Rwandan community in the diaspora will next week converge in Kigali for a three-day Diaspora Leaders’ Workshop.

The retreat will bring together the Rwandan diaspora community and association leaders, commissioners and Rwandan national leadership, to devise means through which the diaspora can have a bigger role in the development of the country, according to the Rwanda Diaspora Global Network (RDGN), the co-organisers of the meeting.

The workshop to be held under the theme, "Being Rwandan in a Globalized World” will run from July 27 to July 29.

Alice Cyusa, the chairperson of RDGN, told The New Times that the workshop will seek to identify ways through which they can advance and benefit the Rwandan diaspora around the world.

"This retreat will help all members of the Rwandan community abroad and their leaders to solidify their relationship and gain an understanding of each other’s roles and responsibilities.

"We will share practical strategies for consensus building and action planning for a better tomorrow in a way that reflects our Rwandan culture,” said Cyusa, who is based in Indiana State of US.

RDGN is an umbrella organisation of the Rwandan community abroad.

The organisation brings together Rwandan communities in over 60 countries across the world, with about 35,000 registered members.

With over US$174m remittances to the central bank, in 2014, the Rwandan community in diaspora has been tipped to have a big impact on national development.

The workshop will, among others, look into possible ways of strengthening partnership between the Rwandan community abroad with local institutions, harmonise structures and functions for both parties and align their action plans towards achieving the national Vision 2020.

The organisation strives to become the optimal resource centre while empowering Rwandan communities abroad, according to its leaders.

Organisers say they have drawn diverse knowledge and strength to engage, empower and contribute to the development of Rwanda.

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