Diaspora to showcase skills during career event this month

The majority of them are highly educated, with vast work experience and exposure, while some hold lucrative jobs in their respective countries of residence, but given the chance, members of the Rwandan Diaspora would be willing to trade their skills back home. In a bid to interest them to return and work in their mother and, the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Public Service have partnered with two private organisations to entice members of the Diaspora to consider opportunities here. The day dubbed ‘Diaspora Career Day 2011’, which will take place on December 19 is expected to present a ‘first time opportunity of its kind’ among both members of Diaspora and local employers to interact and discuss about career prospects in the country. In an interview with The New Times Oria Kije Vande Weghe, one of the event coordinators, said the day will present an opportunity to discuss means to exploit professional and knowledge skills of members of the Diaspora. The event is organised by Jobs in Rwanda Ltd, an online recruitment agency operating in Rwanda and Wakening Abilities for the Future (WAF), a Belgian-based association of young Rwandan professionals through the support of the two ministries. “During the month of December, many members of Diaspora travel to Rwanda for different reasons, from family visits to tourism as well as attending the National Dialogue (Umushyikirano),” Weghe said. “We found that it would be also a good opportunity for them to meet employers and understand what kind of career perspectives they can expect from their homeland”. She noted that the Diaspora Career Day will provide clear indications on adaption of career paths or education abroad to ensure a perfect return later to their homeland. “Our objective is that after the event, there will be at least 10 percent of participants offering their professional and knowledge skills to local employers, either as permanent employees or as freelance consultants,” Vande Weghe said. In an interview, the Head of the Diaspora Directorate at MINAFFET, Parfait Gahamanyi, said the ministry will facilitate the two companies, which are also a brainchild of Rwandans in Diaspora, to have a platform to showcase opportunities. “They supported this initiative which is aimed at connecting prospective employers with young Rwandans in the Diaspora who are ready to come back home to work,” Gahamanyi said. edmund.kagire@newtimes.co.rw