Rwanda, People to People International forge closer ties

SOUTHERN PROVINCE HUYE—A delegation of 30 professionals from People to People International based in Kansas City, United States is in Rwanda where they are undertaking an understanding mission of areas in which they can put to use their professional skills. According to Ralph Baard, vice-president of the organization, the group comprises of doctors, lawyers, teachers and engineers who will explore areas in which they can help government in the realization of Vision 2020. “This is the first team of many others that will be coming over the next couple of months to look at areas in which they can apply their expertise. After exploring possible areas of intervention, we expect more specialized teams to start work in the various areas selected,” said Baard. On Monday, the delegation visited the National University of Rwanda where they were hosted by the university’s Centre for Conflict Management. Welcoming the delegation, Professor Silas Lwakabamba said that Rwanda could not achieve sustainable development with a graduate population of 0.5 per cent. “For us to achieve sustainable development, we need at least a graduate population of 10 percent. At the current rate of production, this will take us 300 years. This calls for innovation in the way we do business in universities,” said Lwakabamba. People to People, founded in 1956 by former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower seeks to enhance international understanding and friendship through educational, cultural and humanitarian activities involving the exchange of ideas and experiences. According to Dr Anastase Shyaka, director of the Centre for Conflict Management at NUR, the organization’s top priority is consolidation of peace. “The organization believes peaceful co-existence of communities is the best recipe for sustainable development. This can be achieved through dialogue as a means to conflict resolution,” said Shyaka. Detective Cornelius Longstreet from the Chicago Police Department, who is part of the delegation said the trip had opened his eyes to who he could help. “Through the organization I have been able to reach out to many people in the world who are in need. My mission in Rwanda is to find in which areas I can be able to offer my services,” Longstreet said. The organization believes that individuals can often be more effective than governments in promoting human relationships and world peace and that if people can better understand other cultures, they will more tolerant and accepting of differences. The organization also gives out awards. Among the recipients of People to People’s most prestigious award, the Eisenhower Medallion, are Mother Teresa (1988); Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (1996); President Anwar el Sadat (1996); Save the Children (1998) and His Grace the Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu (2000). Ends