Engaging Diaspora in key initiatives crucial

It was interesting to read about the announcement by the Sports and Culture minister, Julienne Uwacu, which entails a plan to actively engage more Rwandans abroad to be part of the drive against the promotion of Genocide ideology and revisionism.

Friday, April 01, 2016

Editor,

RE: "Kwibuka22: Govt to engage Diaspora on Genocide ideology” (The New Times, March 31).

It was interesting to read about the announcement by the Sports and Culture minister, Julienne Uwacu, which entails a plan to actively engage more Rwandans abroad to be part of the drive against the promotion of Genocide ideology and revisionism.

The Diaspora of any country, because of their ethnic ties, can bridge many gaps. The Indian Diaspora, for example, have helped the country tremendously, be it with their foreign remittances or with transfer of technology.

Likewise, the Rwandan Diaspora can play a pivotal role in nation building. The Government’s initiative to engage members of the Diaspora is, therefore, a step in the right direction.

The Rwandan High Commission in New Delhi likewise engages the Diaspora community here, primarily students, who arrange suitable commemoration programmes in their respective universities.

It is, therefore, a great honour to have been invited by the Rwandan Students Association of Parul University in Vadodara, Gujarat, to speak at their forthcoming Commemoration programme alongside the Rwanda High Commissioner and other dignitaries.

Rwanda’s resilience, particularly in challenging times, ensured that the Never Again slogan become a reality in the country.

Remarkable Rwanda will continue to strive in her quest for excellence.

Clarence Fernandes