Youth renew commitment to national development

Rwandan youth including those from the Diaspora and Rwanda under Kigali Global Shapers (KGS) forum have pledged to continue active involvement in matters of national development.Diana Mpyisi, the Founding Curator said the forum believes the youth are a strong arm of the country whose role in development is critical.“As the year comes to an end, we decided to host our last forum under the theme “What Is Our Role?” Youth from the Diaspora and Rwanda will be engaging and debating on how they can best contribute to Rwanda’s journey of progress and self-sustainability,” Mpyisi said at a meeting hosted in Kigali last week.The role of Kigali Global Shapers is to create a platform for discussion and dialogue between the youth and leaders in the country. “We as the Kigali Global Shapers feel that there is a new dialogue emerging in Rwanda one that speaks of self-reliance, dignity and resilience. Rwanda’s future is being shaped in innovative ways and we would like to explore the role of Rwandan youth in this journey,” she added.Nathalie Munyampenda, a Rwandan from Canada in her presentation stressed the need for networking among Rwandan youth.She also called for a strong partnership and sharing. “Partnership is very important, I have skills and I wonder why I can’t share them with others,” she said, urging Rwandan youth with skills to share them with others and contribute to the country’s development. Jean Michel Mutabaruka, another Rwandan from Nigeria, said Rwandans in Diaspora need to sacrifice to develop their home country.“There are a lot of skills that that the Rwandans in Diaspora should be importing in various sectors like the medical sector and others. We are the next generation,” he said, noting that with their skills the youth can make great contribution to the development of the country. Major Patrick Karuretwa, ‘Defence and Security Adviser to the President and a liaison with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed the youth on security matters and urged them to play a role in peace building in the region.Noting that Rwanda is one of the safest countries in Africa and in the world, he urged the Kigali Global shapers to start shaping the narrative of the country. Discussions focused on aid-cuts, the Rwanda-DRC crisis, the Agaciro Development Fund and the role Rwandan youth can play in all this.Kigali Global Shapers forum focuses on students, young professionals and youth from the Diaspora.

National

Youth renew commitment to national development