Rwanda Youth Volunteers in Community Policing (RYVCP), made a new commitment to use social media in crime prevention.

This was at the second congress of RYVCP, convened, yesterday, at Amahoro National Stadium, attended by 1500 delegates representing over 60,000 members. 

The congress drew high level government officials, including the Minister for Local Government, Francis Kaboneka, Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean-Philbert Nsengimana, the CEO of Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) Prof. Anastase Shyaka, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K Gasana, National Coordinator of RYVCP Justus Kangwagye, Senior Police officers and all District Community Liaison Officers (DCLO) among others.

Minister Kaboneka said the country’s leadership is proud of the youth commitment in crime prevention; and encouraged them to keep up the spirit.

Remember, the future of our country lies in your hands, so make sure you shape it rightly, he said.

He told youth volunteers that Rwanda was liberated by men and women of their age who sacrificed a lot to stand up against evil and challenged them to emulate the liberators.

"The liberators of Rwanda were inspired by patriotism, they wanted a country that is safe for every citizen and they achieved it. In your quest of crime prevention, be inspired by the same spirit that inspired our liberators,” said Kaboneka. 

He reminded them that the sacrifice they make today will be their legacy in future.

"Although you are in crime prevention, you should as well be encouraged by the fact that you are the primary beneficiary of a safer society… you are the pioneers of crime prevention – it’s something you should be proud of.”

Earlier on, Minister Nsengimana had also addressed youth where he spoke at length on how they can use technology in crime prevention.

He challenged them to create a forum, where they can link with their peers in the Diaspora and also exploit social media in countering those who spread negative propaganda.

The Minister’s address to the youth shaped some of the congress resolutions, including effective use of social media platform to advance crime prevention and Rwanda’s development agenda.

"Being youth is wealth and it comes with opportunities but to exploit those opportunities you need to be men and women of integrity…to achieve your ambition of crime prevention, you need to understand the history of our country, where we are today and our country’s aspirations,” he said.

"Rwanda cannot afford to have youth who are cowards, that’s why, when it comes to national security, we expect you to be brave, stand up and use all means possible to defend your nation - that way, you will be heroes. Heroism doesn’t always require someone to be armed, you can use all the means you have to serve your country and leave a legacy.”

He told them that they have the ability to influence a positive change among their peers. "Always make sure that you are relevant to your country”

IGP Gasana reminded youth that crime prevention is only successful when there is partnership and cooperation.

"As technology evolves, so is crime, that’s why cooperation is key in fighting contemporary crimes. You need to always acquire new skills in community policing and crime prevention…remember we are frequently required to double our efforts on this front of keeping our nation safe,” he said.

IGP Gasana went on to say that Rwanda’s future is being shaped through unity, security and development and urged youth to keep in the same line.

"A lot was sacrificed in shaping Rwanda into the nation it is today, that’s why we are here to emphasise that no one can ever temper with what we have achieved,” he said.

At the congress, several speakers equipped youth with knowledge of how best they can advance crime prevention, among those included Prof Shyaka and the National Coordinator for RYVCP, Kangwagye.

Youth resolved to increase the number of RYVCP members, fight contemporary crimes and forge new partnership to counter contemporary crimes, among others.

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