As President Paul Kagame opened the 19th National Dialogue Umushyikirano at Kigali Convention Centre on Tuesday, January 23, he urged Rwandan youth to take charge of developing the country as well as boldly defending its values.

When it comes to developing Rwanda and their families, Kagame said, the youth had "no reason whatsoever, to be apologetic.”

The national dialogue, which champions accountability, takes place as the country prepares to hold the 30th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, in April.

"The 30 years includes two things, there is the tragedy, but there is also a transformed country that we deserve, in spite of that history that we remember,” Kagame said.

"Thirty-year-old people who are here in this room, or those outside this room, are in large numbers... the country expects them to change it.”

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Even those in their twenties are among those who are expected to change the country, he said.

"It's all about that type of education. What have they learnt? What are they ready for, as they work for Rwanda? So, it's up to them and their behaviour, how they understand their responsibilities and that the country needs them for the next 30 years. They have to play a crucial role in changing the lives of Rwandans even more than us.”

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The President urged the youth to take responsibility for their personal development as well as that of the country.

"You must not be apologetic. You must stand out; you must come out. You must fight for what you want to be and what you want to have. Don’t wait for anybody to come and give it to you as a gift, because there will be nobody who will do that. For Rwandans, who has not learnt this lesson?” he said.

‘Rwandans cannot do business as usual’

Kagame said Rwandans had unique challenges that made them conditioned to work differently to achieve the development they need.

"As Rwandans, we cannot be complacent. We have unique challenges. We are a small country, with a modest economy. But there are no small people, unless they want and accept to be small,” he said.

"In the last 30 years, Rwandans have proven that a country, a people, can rise from the ashes of a genocide. That is why, as Rwandans, we cannot do business as usual. We cannot afford to feel comfortable about anything. We don’t have that luxury.

"Where others work for two hours and go to sleep, we have to work for 10 more hours; where others can afford to walk, we have to run to catch up. That is how Rwanda is and we need to act accordingly. We need to do the right thing to reach our shared vision for a bright future.”

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The Head of State urged Rwandans to make use of Umushyikirano platform.

"The National Umushyikirano Council is a time for self-examination. We come together to reflect on our past, to find what we can do within our means. It is not something we are given by somebody else,” he said.

Service delivery

President Kagame also urged national institutions to work together to deliver good service to the people.

"The institutions need to collaborate; the country cannot develop if people do not work together. But you also need to remember that you should carry out your responsibilities as you should,” he said.

He urged the participants to avoid the habit of mediocrity.

The national dialogue will be closed on Wednesday and participants will draw up resolutions that will guide the activities in the year ahead.