About 50 leaders of the Rwandan community in the Diaspora last week converged in Kigali for a three-day Diaspora Leaders’ Workshop. The retreat, which brought together the Rwandan Diaspora community and association leaders, commissioners and Rwandan national leadership, intended to devise means through which the Diaspora can have a bigger role in the development of the country. The workshop was held under the theme, "Being Rwandan in a Globalised World” and it ran from July 27 to 29.

The New Times’ Athan Tashobya spoke to Norbet Haguma, the vice chairperson of the Rwanda Diaspora Global Network (RDGN), on what happened behind the closed-door workshop. Excerpts;-

What inspired the Diaspora leaders’ conference?

First of all, we wanted to have a more united, inclusive, grassroots-based Diaspora and, to achieve that, we needed a workshop; to seek the input of the Rwandan Community Abroad (RCA) leaders, to reach the rest of the Diaspora.

Secondly, we wanted to streamline the working relationship between our organisation (RDGN) with different local institutions through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Finally, we wanted to prepare our end of year activities, which we have dubbed, "Diaspora Homecoming Month,” which will include a range of events focused on the Diaspora community members. This undertaking will be done annually in December.

As Diaspora leaders, what are your aspirations toward national development?

Just like the rest of the country, Rwandans abroad have also progressed. The students that left ten years ago are now working, the community has grown, we are better organised and we have more resources to contribute to the development of the country.

According to the National Bank of Rwanda, remittances from the Diaspora have grown from $50 million just a few years ago, to $174 million in 2014. That is more than the revenue generated from tea and coffee exports combined. But we want to do more than that, we want to be more linked to Rwanda, and have an active role in development.

Although Rwandans live in different parts of the world, we benefit from closer relations with our country; we have a lot to learn from our homeland, because what unites us is our shared roots.

For instance, the administration of the Diaspora learned from decentralisation and other policies that have worked in Rwanda and applied it to our organisation. So it is a two way exchange.

In a sense, what we aspire to do is more exchange and more interaction, for the benefit of our country.

Do we expect more initiatives coming from Rwandan communities abroad?

Yes, in addition to the December Homecoming Month, which we expect to directly contribute to the economy, we have other initiatives that we are studying together with all stakeholders, and we will announce them soon.

As I said, we are seeking the input from the Rwandan communities abroad, the Rwandan government and other stakeholders, it is an ongoing process.

Rwanda Diaspora community is capable of contributing immensely towards national development. However, little has been achieved largely due to poor planning. Which strategies did you come up from this meeting?

I disagree; a lot has been achieved. The Diaspora is organised, and does contribute immensely to the country’s development, but that contribution lacks coordination and focus. That is what we are working to improve.

Rwandan individuals abroad contribute through remittances, bringing back technology and skills, finding markets for Rwandan products, defending our country’s image, and many other different ways.

The Rwandan communities throughout the world work together, care for each other, organise Kwibuka [Genocide remembrance anniversary] abroad and other events, help new arrivals, establish savings and investment vehicles, contribute to charities in Rwanda and more.

What is needed is better coordination between the stakeholders for a more effective contribution from the Rwandans abroad.

How do you plan on increasing Diaspora remittances?

Diaspora remittances are growing quite fast, and that is a reflection of the growing capacity of Rwandans abroad, the "GDP of the 6th province”. Better organised Diaspora will automatically contribute to increased remittances.

In addition to that, there are more and more innovations from the Diaspora and from Rwanda to facilitate remittances, such as money transfer services or cash to services apps that allow Rwandans abroad to buy credit and pay school fees for their friends and relatives in Rwanda.

That is, however, only one side of the coin. We urgently need more capital and technology investment from Rwandans abroad, investments in industry, services, buying of Rwandan products and services, tourism, skills and knowledge transfers.

You said you are preparing the 2015 Diaspora Homecoming Month. Tell us its significance and activities which will be done during the homecoming month.

It will be in December to coincide with Umushyikirano (national dialogue) and other end of the year activities.

It will be significant because Rwandans abroad want to contribute to the development of the country in more ways than currently possible, and a dedicated homecoming month will allow activities that reflect the diversity of Rwandans abroad, from investment, to tourism, to culture and arts.

Last year, there were more than 600 Rwandans abroad that came back for year-end activities, and they participated in the national dialogue, Diaspora Convention and other events.

This year, we want to have a few thousand participants, by organising more activities for the Diaspora, including a tour of Rwanda, trade and investment exhibitions, concerts and Itorero (a civic education) for the adults and more. We hope to make it an annual affair so that wherever Rwandans are, they can come home at the end of the year.

What have you committed to do after this workshop?

We have committed to building a healthy, sustainable, inclusive and united Rwandan community abroad that contributes positively to the development of the country. Our most important task is the unity of Rwandans abroad, both for the benefit of our country, and of ourselves.