One of the resolutions adopted during last year’s 13th edition of the National Dialogue Council (Umushyikirano) was to chart a new development plan, dubbed ‘Vision 2050,’ that would propel the country to socio-economic self-reliance.

And, according to Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi, the Government has already drafted the key elements for the vision.

The plan will be about building on the achievements of the current Vision 2020.

Murekezi was presenting a progress report on the implementation of last year’s dialogue. This years’ dialogue is themed: "Shaping Together the Rwanda We Want.”

"The Government has put in place a blueprint detailing how to implement the long-term development plan,” Murekezi said while addressing the 14th edition of Umushyikirano.

He said of the 13 resolutions of last year’s edition, nine (69.2 per cent) were implemented at a rate of about 80 per cent.

Only 30 per cent of the other four resolutions were not fully implemented due to various challenges, the premier added.

"We are definitely disappointed with what we didn’t do well, but we drew lessons which we will base on to fully implement the remaining resolutions,” he said.

Among the resolutions implemented include ensuring more protection for the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, promotion of the Ndi Umunyarwanda campaign to promote unity among Rwandans, and involving citizens in solving their problems.

The Government also set up mechanism to boost trade with other countries, especially in Africa, invested more in manufacturing, and constructed feeder roads.

Among the proposed road construction projects adopted during last year’s dialogue include the one leading to Kabaya Health Centre in Ngororero District as well as Cyanika-Musanze-Ngororero and Ngoma-Bugesera-Nyanza roads.

The council also managed to encourage Rwandans across the world to tell real stories about what is happening in Rwanda, teach Kinyarwanda at all school levels, sensitise people to save for their retirement and fast-track payments for students’ bursaries.

Currently, Rwanda Development Bank is in charge of disbursing students’ bursaries.

However, it is understood that efforts to fight malaria fell short at some point.

Citizens exchange ideas

Umushyikirano is a homegrown initiative that offers a forum where the President, along with other national leaders as well as ordinary citizens, debate issues related to the state of the nation, the state of local government, and national unity.

About 2,000 participants are attending the meeting, including public officials, members of the civil society, private sector, the diplomatic corps and the Diaspora.

It was Liliane Iradukunda’s second time to attend the dialogue. She comes from Canada and says the meeting was indeed a ‘unique’ opportunity to be part of the national development agenda.

"There is no better way for citizen participation,” she said.

"For instance, last year’s subscription rate for Mutuelle de Sante (community-based health insurance) was at 70 per cent. We asked the Government to put in more efforts in increasing the numbers. I have visited a few places before this meeting and was pleased to hear that numbers had increased to over 80 per cent.”

Dominic Savio Hategekimana, a primary school teacher from Musanze, has also attended the dialogue twice. He commends the Government for organising the meeting and ensuring that ‘both the big and small people’ share the same platform to contribute to national development.

"My expectations are that the Government will scrap double sessions in upper primary school. Normally, public schools have two separate sessions; some students come in the morning and others in the afternoon. This affects quality of education, especially from primary four to six because it is a bit hectic for teachers,” he said.

The 14th National Dialogue, at Kigali Convention Centre, ends today and is expected to come up with new resolutions.

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