NORTHERN PROVINCE

MUSANZE - Youth in the country have been advised to embrace self-reliance and wealth creation in order to reduce donor dependence. Senator Aloysia Inyumba made the call on Saturday during a Youth Empowerment Workshop held in the Musanze District.

The event was organised by the Imbuto Foundation, an initiative under the Office of the First Lady. The theme of the workshop was: "What does it mean to be a Rwandan today?”

In her presentation on ‘Carrying forward a legacy’ Inyumba said: "In whatever profession, youth should work in the overall interest of the nation, they must be at the forefront of making sacrifices by fighting for social justice and not privileges.’’

She observed that one of the hall marks of a new Rwanda is to keep improving the quality of politics and having ideological consciousness to know what is good and right for the country.

The Youth Empowerment Workshop, in the Northern Province drew young Rwandan professionals, Sector Executive Secretaries, youth from the private and public sector, and the civil society.

Discussions dwelt on ‘rising above mediocrity, forging a culture of transparency and dialogue, and carrying on the legacy of patriotism.’

At the event, the Minister of Culture and Sports, Joseph Habineza, challenged youth to strive to leave behind a legacy worth emulating. He said that the youth should show ambition in their work and avoid complacency.  

"You should have a mission with bigger dreams, as you aspire to be agents of change and in this, you should disseminate the message to others,” Habineza advised.

The Foundation’s Youth Leadership and Mentorship Programme aims at becoming a platform for promoting sustainable leadership opportunities for young Rwandan leaders of tomorrow, in order to contribute to the development of the country.

Similar workshops have been held elsewhere in the country. The workshops focus on conveying messages of self-dependence, wealth creation, self-confidence, instilling a culture of excellence and encouraging implementation of ideas that can develop the country. Other presenters, on the forum included Dr Joseph Kagabo, a historian.

Zain Nyiramatama, another speaker at the workshop who presented a paper entitled ‘forging a culture of transparency and dialogue’, said that Rwandans bear the responsibility of knowing the challenges of the day and finding the solutions depending on the prevailing situations.

The forum is part of the country wide youth leadership and mentorship programme organised by the office of the First Lady, in conjunction with other partners.

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