Preparations for week-long celebrations to mark the International Day of Democracy (IDD) and the International Day of Peace are in high gear, organisers announced yesterday.In a news briefing held at the Parliament Buildings, the chairperson of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Political and Good Governance, Apollinaire Mushinzimana, said the ultimate goal of democracy is to preserve and promote the dignity and fundamental rights of Rwandans, achieve social justice, and strengthen cohesion among Rwandans, among others. As a result, the Parliament, the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC), and other partners will jointly mark the two events under the theme: Dialogue and Inclusiveness: Central to Democracy and Sustainable Peace.”NURC Executive Secretary, Dr Jean Baptiste Habyalimana, said they would hold discussions, conferences, a peace walk and other activities aimed at promoting democracy and peace."It will be a good platform to discuss ways of enhancing peace and democracy. It is also important to note that Rwandans have a special testimony of peace, given the experiences they have undergone,” Habyarimana said."Today, we have our security organs going beyond our borders to contribute to world peace in places as far as Sudan’s Darfur and South Sudan”.The Deputy Chairperson of the Chamber of Deputies’ Committee on Political Affairs and Gender, MP Yvonne Uwayisenga, disclosed that two discussion forums are scheduled to take place from September 14 to 21.   According to Uwayisenga, Speaker Rose Mukantabana, will moderate a debate on the theme of the celebrations while Foreign Affairs Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo will chair the other on security in the Great Lakes region.  "Good democracy is that which begins with the youth of a nation. That is why, this year, we focused on seven institutions of higher learning; the National university of Rwanda, INES in Musanze, SFB, Rukara College of Education in Kayonza and Nyagatare Nursing College,” Uwayisenga said.Globally, IDD is celebrated every September 15 to encourage governments to strengthen national programmes devoted to the promotion and consolidation of democracy.  In contrast, every September 21, UN member states observe the international Day of Peace by highlighting and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations. Meanwhile, at the same press conference, the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), MP Juvenal Nkusi, briefed journalists on the sixth annual general meeting (AGM) of the Eastern Africa Association of Public Accounts Committee (EAAPAC) to be held from September 17 to 21 at Parliament Buildings in Kigali.   Nkusi said the four-day conference will aim to build the capacities of regional oversight committees in ensuring accountability and good governance in the use of public funds based on budget formulation and spending.  Participants will share experiences as well as best practices on three main topics: budget formulation process; budget spending and expenditure control; and transparency and accountability in budget formulation and spending. They will learn strategies of improving budget transparency and accountability as well as network and make resolutions based on topics discussed. "Our PAC was set up just over a year and a half ago and we intend to listen to others and measure our achievements as we intend to further improve our system and continue to work for the interests of Rwandans. Remember that the process we embarked on, of the Auditor General, is very different from the old system.”  The meeting will bring together participants from the Western Africa Association of Public Accounts (WAAPAC), the Eastern Africa Association of Public Account Committees (EAPAC), and the Southern Africa Development Community Organization of Public Accounts Committee (SADCOPAC).In February, parliamentary oversight committees from the East African Community partner states met in Kigali, for the first time, to assess previous activities and review upcoming business.The two-day session ended with calls for tougher financial controls.  Participants cited weak internal controls and financial management systems as some of the challenges facing regional PACs.