• Up to 200 participants expected

The upcoming Diaspora convention slated for December 13-15 in Kigali will see Diaspora members elect their leaders and come up with strategies on mobilisation of savings for investing back home.

The convention is organized jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Diaspora General Directorate (DGD) and Rwanda Diaspora Global Network (RDGN).

The convention will focus on electing new leaders since RDGN has been under an interim and transitional leadership since December 2008.

The convention is supposed to meet every two years to receive reports, conduct elections and carryout any other activities proposed by the Global council.

The Diaspora has been an instrumental network to mobilize financial resources, skills, knowledge transfer, image building and promotion of culture.

The event will be organized under the theme;  "Integrating the Rwandan Diaspora into national development strategies for the benefit of all.”

"Special attention will be attached to mobilizing savings in the Diaspora for investment promotion in Rwanda – it will be the right opportunity to launch the Rwandan Diaspora Mutual Fund (RDMF),” reads part of the memo issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

RDMF is a newly established initiative by the Diaspora that will be a driving arm for mobilizing savings from abroad.

"It will also be  an opportunity for DGD to discuss with Rwandan Diaspora future operational plans and strategies targeted to mobilize, coordinate and integrate Rwandan Diaspora in the national development of Rwanda .”

Rwandans living abroad will also be mobilized and sensitized on national unity and security, in addition to being briefed on the progress of preparing for 2010 Presidential elections.

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