Migration and cultural diversity: the undaunted openness of Rwanda

On May 17, Info Migrant, a reference media on all things migration, published a piece on the Rwanda-UK migration deal that questioned Rwanda’s ability to welcome migrants given that it’s heavily affected by climate change, in reference to the deadly floods and landslides of early May. Yes, you read that right; migrants should not come to Rwanda due to climate change. On top of its fallacious reasoning, this article was also highly insensitive since our nation still mourns the more than 130 victims of the recent floods. As we prepare to celebrate the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, this Sunday, May 21, I found it fitting to have my say on the matter. Allow me to give you a glimpse of the transformative effect of migration and cultural diversity in Rwanda. Long-standing practice Rwanda stands proud of its openness to the world. As a landlocked country, our economic prosperity is highly linked to our capacity to exchange with the rest of the planet. It is no surprise that the country is one of the most open countries in the world, with an open visa regime and more than 20,000 foreigners from all walks of life that call Rwanda home. Historically, Rwanda has suffered from the traumatic loss of over one million of its citizens during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. And yet, it welcomed back more than 3,5 million refugees in the aftermath of the Genocide. A good number actively participated in the massacres. Culturally, Rwanda is more diverse than most people think. Let’s take the simple example of language diversity. Most of the country’s population speaks multiple languages, including Kinyarwanda, French, English and Swahili. Beyond languages, Rwanda’s foreign policy is heavily influenced by a cooperation and integration agenda. Being part of both the International Organisation of Francophone countries (OIF) and the Commonwealth is testimony of this will to trade, and exchange, with all corners of the world. It is because of our history, our culture, and our ambition that Rwanda intentionally put in place facilities to attract talented people from all cultural backgrounds, including refugees, to help further its development goals. As a result, over the last 29 years, our economy grew by 8% annually on average, lifting more than one million people out of poverty. Rwanda has built roads, electrified rural homes, and cared for the most vulnerable in more ways than one. Its citizen-centered inclusive governance model fosters inclusion, diversity and consensus building. This is a philosophy that trickled down in all aspects of society and in the economy. Brain drain won’t be the death of us I am yet to see an example, in history, of endogenous prosperity that was achieved without the mixing and brewing of ideas, cultures or skills. Today, Rwanda, like most of Africa, faces the challenge of brain drain at a time when an influx of new ideas, new skills and labor is needed to achieve the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The AU estimates that Africa loses about 70,000 skilled laborers a year on average. That amounts to 70,000 innovators, 70,000 mentors and job creators that we desperately need. In Rwanda, we recognize brain drain as a serious obstacle to economic development. As a developing economy, skilled and educated people are catalysts for growth and job creation. During the just concluded Rwanda National Security Symposium, migration and brain drain were among the discussed topics, highlighting the sensitive nature of this issue. It did not come as a surprise to me when Rwanda and the United Kingdom unveiled their Migration and Economic partnership deal. Beyond the fuss made in international media, one could easily identify the double-standard nature of the outrage. What shocks me the most is that the same outraged naysayers are not putting forward solutions to the migration issue. They would rather maintain the status quo and perpetuate a cycle of violence, poverty and uncertainty for migrants. Providing opportunities and a dignified life to migrants while also providing for much-needed skills is a bargain I would strike any day of the year. While it is perfectly fine to differ in opinion regarding this Rwanda-UK migration partnership, the arguments put forward should not be in bad faith. Earlier, there were claims that Rwanda was unsafe because of malaria; this week, it was climate change. I am left to wonder; what will be the detractors’ next logically invalid reasoning? The author is a political commentator

Opinions

Migration and cultural diversity: the undaunted openness of Rwanda