The first International Rwanda Youth for Development (IRYD) convention is scheduled to take place in Montreal, Canada, later this month, with delegates expected to discuss business development in Rwanda.

Set to run from September 25 to 27, the convention is expected to draw about 700 participants, according to IRYD co-founder Moses Gashirabake.

The convention is being organised in collaboration with the government and Rwandan youth groups across the world.

It will be hosted by the Rwandan community in Canada.

"The convention will discuss and propose solutions for encouraging more Rwandan youth to participate in their country’s economic development,” Gashirabike said in a statement.

IRYD—a formally registered non-profit organisation in the province of Quebec, Canada, is an independent youth forum that focuses on the development of Rwanda.

IRYD would provide another avenue for Rwandan youth, Rwandan and Canadian leaders and friends of Rwanda across the globe to discuss issues, devise and implement resolutions on the development of Rwanda, says the statement.

Gashirabake said IRYD was founded with an aim of stimulating the involvement of Rwandan youth and friends in the development of their country.

"By engaging Rwandan youth and their leaders in development-oriented topics, IRYD hopes to inspire over 10,000 youths to start businesses in Rwanda over the next five years or contribute through other ways to its development,” he said.

"Inspired by our leadership back in Rwanda, we focus on youth and the role they can play in economic development through entrepreneurship.”

 In the spirit of direct engagement with local leadership, IRYD has invited high-level government officials as well as opinion leaders to participate in discussion panels, according to the organisers.

Opportunities for starting businesses in Rwanda, tackling youth unemployment and professional development will be discussed.

Participants will include Rwandan youth and leaders, Canadian and North American leaders and friends of Rwanda.

Théophile Rwigimba, the chairperson of Rwandan Diaspora community in Canada said preparations are underway to make the convention achieve its objectives.

"Registration of participants and preparatory meetings has started here in Montreal; there are several other workshops we are planning to conduct prior to the youth convention, including Ndi Umunyarwanda campaign. We simply want to make IRYD a success.”