Rwandan youth leaders from various institutions in the country were yesterday sensitized on the role of youth in the East African Community (EAC) integration process. The one-day forum that was jointly organised by Rwanda Youth Network (RYN) and the Ministry of Youth Affairs.

Speaking to The New Times, Cyrus M. Nkusi, the head of RYN, said that his organisation is currently implementing a national programme on youth integration in the EAC.

"The programme seeks to support and enhance youth participation in the promotion and practice of the youth economic empowerment in the region,” he said.

Nkusi added that Rwandan youth should be proactive in engaging their counterparts from EAC member states in order to deepen the integration process.

"Motivating the youth in the country through deliberate inclusion, information dissemination and their participation is our main priority,” he noted.

According to Angelique Dusenge, the acting coordinator of Policy and Programmes at the Ministry of EAC Affairs, youth sensitization on regional integration is necessary since they will get to know the benefits of the integration process.

"Any plans or policies made for development without the involvement of the youth will remain a myth,” she stressed.
Dusenge urged youth leaders to take advantage of any opportunity that will come with the integration process.

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