On Saturday, November 16, 2024, Unity Club Intwararumuri held its 17th forum at Kigali Convention Centre. Unity Club is an organisation made up of the country's members of the cabinet - present and past - and their spouses. ALSO READ: We shall not compromise on those that want to sabotage our unity - Kagame Unity Club Intwararumuri was founded, and is led, by First Lady Jeannette Kagame in 1996, and one of its key missions is to champion national unity and cohesion as the foundation of the country's sustainable development. The forum was also graced by President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame. ALSO READ: First Lady implores leaders to serve with love It was in line with its theme: “Ndi Umunyarwanda: Igitekerezo ngenga cy’ukubaho kwacu,” loosely translated as Ndi Umunyarwanda: The Guiding Principle of our Existence. Comprised of current and former cabinet members and their spouses, Unity Club is dedicated to promoting unity and peace as foundations for Rwanda’s sustainable development. Below are 10 resolutions from the forum. Inculcating cultural values in leaders The forum recommended an increase in efforts to sensitize leaders in all institutions including faith-based organizations to embrace cultural values in their leadership, striving for unity and reconciliation initiatives as well as psychological healing and resilience. ALSO READ: Unity Club: a beacon of hope for Rwanda's future 2. Giving back to community Leaders in all institutions have been urged to educate citizens in their areas, homeland and partner with them in development activities as a way of giving back to community. 3. Reforming Unity Club forum Among the resolutions include improving the Unity Club forum at all levels to make it a platform of regular dialogues with an aim to analyze issues derailing unity and reconciliation efforts. 4. Tackling mental health issues ALSO READ: Study uncovers 8 common triggers of poor mental health The Unity Club forum called for increased efforts in initiatives meant to address mental health issues and prevent mental health problems from becoming intergenerational. 5. Inculcating cultural values in youth The resolutions also include establishing programmes that prepare Rwandan youth with cultural values in daily their life, maintaining resilience as well as commitment to building the country in line with its developmental vision. 6. Reintegration of genocide ex-prisoners The Unity Club has recommended the establishment of a strong programme for reintegration of ex-convicts of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, preparing the society to receive them and educate them on peace building in their communities. ALSO READ: Civil society, govt officials weigh in on reintegration of genocide ex-prisoners 7. Teaching Rwandan history Increasing efforts in teaching Rwandan history especially among young people to understand Rwanda’s journey in transformation was also highlighted. 8. Tackling genocide ideology Rwandans, leaders, lawyers, researchers, civil society have been encouraged to regularly assess genocide ideology and denial of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and these vices are committed in different ways in Rwanda, in the region and outside so as to come up with new measures to tackle such crimes. 9. Peer mentorship The youth have committed to educate peers about Rwanda’s history, embrace good attitude, goals, tapping into opportunities as well as learning from those who have driven Rwanda reconstruction. 10. Building strong partnership with other organizations The Unity Club has also committed to expand partnerships with other platforms and think tanks that have peace building initiatives in the country, region and abroad. Such organisations include African Network of Think Tanks for peace-NeTT4Peace which was set up by African Union and others with purpose of growing globally. Tags: Unity club, unity, reconciliation, peace, genocide, mental health.
