TWENTY - Five secondary schools from around the country on Thursday converged in Kigali to take part in art competitions organised by the Institute of Research and Dialogue for Peace (IRDP).

The programme, dubbed ‘Debate in Schools, is aimed at building lasting peace through the involvement of the youth in secondary schools, to prepare them for the future challenges, according to organizers.

The Competitions Coordinator, Peace Uwineza, said that the programme was designed to create a culture of dialogue, as a way of promoting tolerance, as well as democratic values.

She observed that Rwandan schools lack appropriate mechanisms of teaching democratic values, adding that, instead, previously schools were engaged in teaching ethnic hatred to students.

"This forum will help the youth to openly engage with each other in a healthy dialogue about issues that directly affect them and the society at large,” she said.

"If used correctly, these energies can contribute towards building a wealthy and democratic society, where the youth would be a catalyst for peace and stability.”

The schools are drawn from all the four provinces and Kigali City, and prizes await the best performers.

The schools competed in drama, songs, poems, written articles, and paintings which all had themes ranging from democracy promotion to tolerance in society.

Speaking at the opening of the competitions, the Director of IRDP, Prof. Peter Rwanyindo, remarked: "Competition is one way of comparing your talent against others and learning from them. When a person performs alone, they cannot develop.”

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