Faith Based Organisations within the country and the region have been urged to champion sustainable peace for the benefit of the people.The call was made during an international conference that was organised by Rwanda Governance Board and Arise and Shine International, a grouping of Faith Based Organisations with an aim of discussing existing governance challenges related to the absence of security in the region and identifying ways of collaboration to achieve universal peace.While opening the conference on Monday, Prof. Anastase Shyaka, CEO, RGB, said the theme; ‘Rwanda Renaissance; The Success Trend’ reflects all that the country had achieved, adding the role of FBOs in promoting unity and reconciliation was highly appreciated.During a subsequent interview Shyaka noted the religious institutions have to provide guidance to their respective followers that leads to peace and love, saying they have a great influence on the big part of the population.“Religious institutions should act indeed as shepherds,” he said, adding, “We are now writing history by eradicating poverty and promoting good governance. We need the church in this journey.”Prof. Shyaka also said poverty played an important role in shaping the past tragic events in the country, which culminated into the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.Dennis Bigirimana, the pastor of New Life Church said the clergy are ready to play their role in the countyr’s continued recovery process.Dr Phillip Tutor, of New Life City Church, from United States said the country should be governed on three leadership pillars which are political, economic and spiritual, and that religious leaders had an important role to play.
