Local Think-Tank initiates debating forum

The Institute of Research and Dialogue (IRDP), a local Think-Tank, has launched a debati forum dubbed “A circle of intellectuals” that is expected to bring together intellectuals and experts in various fields to debate and share ideas on development-based issues.The forum follows a research conducted by the institute last year that revealed a pressing concern regarding the role of the intellectuals in the process of peace building.“In Rwanda, intellectuals like lecturers, doctors and economists seem to live in oblivion, unlike in other countries where they form a specific consultative group on the implementation of public policies and programmes,” said Jean Paul Mugiraneza, Senior Advisor at IRDP.He said that historically, intellectuals failed to act as whistleblowers when ethnic discrimination and injustice was rife, while others directly participated in the Genocide,“IRDP intends to establish a permanent space, a Think-Tank, allowing intellectuals and people with proven expertise in various fields, to express their views on subjects of national importance in order to contribute to the dynamics of peace building,” Mugiraneza saidHe added that with facilitation from IRDP, an expert will make a brief presentation before the beginning of the debating session. Later, an article on the subject will be published in the media showing the position of the circle on the subject and its recommendations. One member of IRDP, Father Deogratias Niyibizi, the Rector of Ruhengeri Institute of Higher Education, said that educated Rwandans need to utilise the peace and freedom in the country by participating in crucial debate.“There is an almost dialectic controversy that in Rwanda, there is neither freedom nor space for expression of opinions; yet, the legal instruments that govern the management of power provide a clear space of expression,” Niyibizi said, adding that after learning from history, intellectuals must take responsibility to restore their primary role in society.

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Local Think-Tank initiates debating forum