Rwandan youth, officials and Rwandan friends from around the World have gathered in Politecnico di Milano university located in Italy’s city of Milan for a youth Convention namely; Rwanda YouthConnekt Convention 2019.
The convention, themed ‘Globally Connecting Opportunities and the Next Generation of Leaders through Technology’ was organized by IRYD in partnership with Ministry of Youth in Rwanda and other partners.
In her welcoming remarks, professor Emanuela Combo of the hosting university agreed with the theme and emphasized that ‘young people and technology are the pillars of innovation’. The theme was also revealed to be the driving force for Politecnico di Milano to accept the hosting of this event.
The keynote speaker, Ambassador of Rwanda to France and Italy, His Excellency Ambassador Jacques Kabale, focused his speech on how the cultural trait of resilience has earned Rwanda its current development. He narrated how the country’s ambitions to overturn consequences of 1994 Genocide Against Tutsi were enough to convince him to collaborate with the government of Kigali.
He then encouraged young Rwandans to imitate their country’s model of homegrown solutions and to visit their native country in order to witness achieved development on their own. The ambassador compared Rwanda’s development to a full speeding train, in which he asked the mostly youth-dominated audience to be part of it, otherwise they can be left behind.
The event continued with two interactive panel discussions and testimony from Charles Habonimana, a courageous survivor of 1994 Genocide Against Tutsi.
The first panel discussion titled ‘The Role of the Youth in the Socioeconomic development’ was led by Amb. Jacques Kabale, Dr. Honorine Majyambere, President of Ibuka Italy and Sandra Mizero, Project Manager of the Africa Food Supply Ltd. The discussions were moderated by Umutoni Thuku-Benzinge, founder and CEO of Beauty Kaleidoscope.
The conclusion of this discussion was that ‘the young Rwandans are the engine of the earlier mentioned train of development and that no matter where or to whom they were born, there is a place for them to contribute to the vision Rwanda has set out to achieve.’
The second panel discussion focused on ‘keep innovating until Rwanda becomes the start-up of Africa and to visit Rwanda because the country is in itself an interesting attraction.’
The panel was led by Christian Kanangire, young leader in Rwanda, Frank Murangwa, director of Rwanda Convention Bureau and Moses Gashirwabake, co-founder and president IRYD.
Charles Habonimana gave his testimonies during Genocide Against Tutsi which he narrated fully in his book, ‘Moi, le Dernier Tutsi (Me, the Last Tutsi). Audience had their time to ask the author all kinds of questions and he took a considerable time to respond to all of them.
The audience was then asked what they think they should like to do with Rwanda. After responding, they were encouraged to go on and implement their plans in the country.
The next forum to settle young Rwandans is expected to take place this summer in Rwanda, local youth and others from different continents will be hosted in Rwanda under the annual event named ‘Rwanda Youth Homecoming 2019.’
The next Rwanda’s Youth Forum will be held in Indianapolis, USA in 2 weeks.
The event is being organized by the Rwandan Community in USA. The event will be hosted by the Rwandan Community in Indianapolis
Rwandan Professional Youth from across the globe will gather to brainstorm and discuss their role in the Nation Buidling & their contributiond to the #2050Vision
The Express News
