The special nomination committee consisting of 16 Dutch youth yesterday unanimously awarded the Government of Rwanda the 2010 certificate of Diversity for its leading role in promoting unity among the people.

This was revealed in a statement released by Ambassador Sergio Belfor, the Director of ‘Unity is Strength Foundation’ in the Netherlands.

According to the statement, Rwanda has shown great efforts in cultural diversity and elimination of ducrimination, as well as the integration of minority groups into the society.

"Rwanda has played the strong and the active role in combating poverty and so providing equal opportunities for all the people in the country, discrimination of the gays and the improvement of the rights of women and other minority groups and the active stimulation of the youth” the statement reads.

The award will be presented today to Rwanda’s Minister of Justice Tharcisse Karugarama, who is presenting President Paul Kagame during the 6th international Unity is Strength award show in Amsterdam.

1,000 guests are expected at the Amsterdam Convention Factory, among them, members of the cabinet, local government, diplomatic corps, business community, NGO’s and the youth from the Netherlands.

Former recipients of this award are, Suriname, South Africa, Hungry and the Netherlands.

Each year, a country is chosen by the jury, consisting of young people from various NGO’s to identify a country that is making great efforts in promoting unity, peace, tolerance and rejects any form of discrimination in the past.

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