The 8th Annual National Dialogue opened, yesterday, at the Parliamentary Buildings, Kimihurura, with the customary open and constructive debate that has come to symbolize this forum over the years.

As usual, the Dialogue started, in earnest, with the Prime Minister presenting a report on what had been achieved, in line with the recommendations of last year’s Dialogue, with figures confirming that most of the planned activities were successfully executed.

The Dialogue is an occasion to take stock of the previous year, drawing lessons from the challenges and institutional weaknesses that were identified, and taking appropriate measures to consolidate and multiply the registered achievements in the coming year.

As was the case in 2009, people inside and outside the country are able to participate directly to the debates in this year’s National Dialogue, through telephone calls, text messages and emails.

By streaming the proceedings on the internet and broadcasting live on national radio and television, public participation has been, impressively, broadened - which is the essence of the National Dialogue.

The fact that any Rwandan, wherever they may be, is able to take part in this all-inclusive forum, reaffirms the government’s commitment to actively engage with everyone in the country’s development process.

In these foras, leaders have openly taken responsibility and the citizenry are appreciating. This is the epitome of accountability, and it proves wrong those who question this country’s democratic credentials.

Indeed, the National Dialogue, bringing together the views of the Rwandan people, both inside and outside the country, in one forum, is ample demonstration of how much political space the citizens of this country enjoy.

Ends