Past Conventions
RWANDA CONVENTION 2009
Urwanda RW’EJO: Diaspora educating tomorrow’s business minds Today
6th Annual Rwanda Convention in Montreal 2009 (May 16th)
Objective of RCA 2009:
- Promote a post-genocide Rwanda
- Promote Rwandan Entrepreneurs in the Diaspora and promote investment in Rwanda
- Promote Youth Leadership in the Diaspora
- Promote Education projects in Rwanda
- Encourage emerging Rwandan and east African artists in the Diaspora
- Promote Rwandan culture in the Diaspora
Introduction:
The aim of the 2009 Rwanda Convention was to provide a platform for Rwandans to network professionally. The conference this year was the launch of business opportunities of investment for Rwandan Diaspora and Friends of Rwanda to gain information on real estate, business investment, education projects and initiatives targeting to ameliorate education system and/or aid orphans through scholarships. It was a platform for youth leadership and career orientation. Most importantly it united Rwandans in the Diaspora and recognized their efforts in the Rwandan community to promote and educate our local communities on Rwandan history, culture, art, and investment opportunities.
Business Panel
Objective of the panel was to provide a bridge between Rwandan businesses and foreign investor. The panel was also an informative platform for Rwandans and friends of Rwanda to gain information on real estate opportunities, loans, capacity building, and importance of entrepreneurship in the Rwandan community.
Led by Executive Director of Transitional Trade allied organization of RCA, the business panel provided for a platform for Rwandan Entrepreneur Bill Ntwali, CEO of General Clothing Line, to present his success story in launching a small business in the United States.
Human Resources and Social Development Director Dr. Terraho for the government of Canada, demonstrated the impact of capacity building and social development by Rwandans and Friends of Rwanda will aid in boosting Rwanda reach its vision 2020 goals. Referred to five asset blocks needed to achieve capacity building: social, financial, human, physical, and personal. Through sustainable business, good governance, leadership, prosperity, trade, and knowledge this can be achieved. Also emphasized the development of networking, rules, and procedures, and competition will provide the drive for capacity development.
Olivier Kamanzi presented investment opportunity for Rwandan Diaspora and Friends of Rwanda with Rwanda’s first Capital Market. Provided the investment revenue and capital when investing in the Capital Market.
James Gatera Director of Bank of Kigali, presented on the loans, small business benefits, and banking opportunities when banking with Bank of Kigali. Provided the benefits in transferring money in a Bank of Kigali Diaspora account, the ability to use debit/credit card with visa logos in Rwanda. Also
Education Panel
The education panel was comprised of five dedicated volunteers serving various roles in education projects in Rwanda. Each presenter gave a power point presentation about their current endeavors and their visions for education in Rwanda.
Mrs. Gilbert helped create the Hope for Rwanda’s Children Fund (HRCF) in September 1994, and has been the president of the organization since. Today, Hope for Rwanda’s Children Fund continues to assist more than 150 children from the primary to post-secondary levels to attend school in Rwanda through the HRCF Scholarship Fund. This May, HRCF held it’s eleventh annual Walk for Hope to raise funds. HRCF continues to find other avenues to raise funds and undertake new projects, such as helping graduates find employment.
Mrs. Van Horne is an Ambassador with the Ibuka-Education and is a foster "Auntie" for Berthe, a young woman who survived the genocide. Mrs. Van Horne has been involved with the organization since January 2008 in various capacities. Together with Marie-Louise Ndikubwimana, Mrs. Van Horne detailed the origins and achievements of the organization over the past two years. Starting from only 5 scholarships in 2007, Ibuka was able to raise money for 26 scholarships last year and hopes to reach 52 scholarships in 2009, and 100 in 2010. The organization hopes to supplement the governments and several NGOs’ tremendous efforts in primary and secondary education, by rewarding orphans for their hard work with a university scholarship. In addition, 122 volunteers based on 4 continents serve as foster parents and role models for the scholarship recipients.
Carol Rugege is the Education Officer for the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in Washington D.C. Ms. Rugege's role is to establish and maintain direct admissions partnerships with American colleges and universities. In her presentation, Ms. Rugege gave a very detailed overview of her goals to enhance US education partnerships. The introduction of free primary education three years ago created a tremendous increase in enrollment of over 130%. With 25% of its public expenditure spent on education, Rwanda is dedicated to building on its human capital. Ms. Rugege described six different partnerships with American universities currently running, including joint research programs and scholarships. Rwanda’s mission is to organize the financing of all Rwandese pursuing higher education. The Embassy of Rwanda to the US is dedicated to assisting any and all programs working to make this possible for students at recognized institutions both inside and outside Rwanda.
The next speaker was Burl Waits, the founder of Process Learning Centers (PLC). He discussed three sources of learning: reflecting on the past, looking to the future, and collaboration with other projects. Waits wants to capitalize on the soon to be available bandwidth in Rwanda and wants to build a team in Rwanda to connect our two worlds. Although the specific goals of the Transfer of Knowledge Taskforce were later detailed by RCA’s own education director, Mr. Waits described the events which will hopefully put the necessary bandwidth in place to make greater intercontinental collaboration possible.
Mutoni Karasanyi has served as the Education Director for RCA for the past year. During this time, he has connected with both SIFE and PLC to begin project connecting university students in both the US and Rwanda to collaborate on business plans. In his presentation, Karasanyi described the role which each of the three organizations would play in developing this project. Process Learning Centers will provide equipment and technical assistance in making the project viable. Students in Free Enterprise at Binghamton University are a small group of volunteer students who will work closely with Mr. Karasanyi to connect to students in Rwanda and collaborate on business plans.
The Rwanda Convention Youth Workshop:
At this year’s sixth annual Rwanda Convention, the RCA introduced the first of what should be a staple of conventions to come, the Youth Leadership Workshop. Moderated by Charles Desmarais and Roger Rushemeza, the workshop’s goals were to bring a new generation together and pass along knowledge and assistance while presenting a platform for discussion on a range of relevant youth topics.
The workshop began with two panelists from Concordia University, Robert Taliano and Valerie Millette, presenting on internships/resumes and strategic volunteering respectively. The response from the attendees was positive as they questioned the panelists on resources and tips to improving their job search techniques and reasons for volunteering.
The final half hour of the workshop was set aside for the group discussion. This is where the most interaction between attendees and moderators took place. Charles and Roger introduced three topics to the audience with the hope of generating original and thoughtful feedback and ideas on how Rwanda can move forward with the Diaspora playing a role and making a greater impact.
The topics discussed were economic growth, preservation of culture and giving back to Rwanda. The response the moderators received were impressive as several of the youth mentioned their desire to return to Rwanda after their studies in either a political or business capacity. Many also presented great illustrations on how to keep the culture alive in the Diaspora, citing dance groups and Kinya-rwanda classes (features of their own communities) as perfect examples. Also, several great ideas were brought forward on how to give back to the country and the youth located in Rwanda.
In the end, the feedback received was helpful. Some examples of the great ideas given were book and clothing drives at future conventions where participants would bring items with them that could be then sent to Rwanda in partnership with schools and churches. Another issue raised was mentorship for the youth in the Diaspora as they enter this new world and attempt to adjust to this new life.
Looking back, one thing the Youth Leadership team will do in the future is to contact its members beforehand to collect issues to be discussed at the workshop. This should present the team with a better opportunity to plan for discussion of issues that most effect the youth.
Diaspora Panel:
Objective: Provide a platform for Diaspora Members to be aware of the different opportunities for investment and development in Rwanda and in the Diaspora. Further encourage the Diaspora to take pro-active role in supporting current initiatives in promotion of Rwanda and our communities.
Kerry Clarke and Mighty Popo: Kigali Music Festival the aim of the festival is to promote Rwandan music and other African nations during a one week Festival in Kigali. The folk festival would aims to be the first festival that illustrates the different music sounds from Rwanda. Starting with traditional sounds to modern hip hop and jazz influences in Rwandan Music. The festival further wishes to strengthen African music and provide a national event in Rwanda that aids to promote Rwandan Diaspora artists, dance groups as well as foreign artists. Linked with the Canadian Calgary Music Festival Mighty Popo a Rwandan/Canadian Artist aims to launch this festival by 2010 September in Kigali.
Rwandan Diaspora Mutual Fund: Presented by Providence Bikumbi RDMF is an investment opportunity for Rwandans in the Diaspora and non-Rwandans to invest in a mutual fund backed by Bank of Kigali and National Bank of Rwanda. The fund is currently open for investment and is launching officially in September of 2009. Currently the fund lacks a Managing director but the general auditing and managing will handled by Bank of Kigali and National Bank of Rwanda.
Rwanda Convention Association: President Urusaro Bakuramutsa Rwandan in the Diaspora need to take an active role in each of the initiatives and projects being launched in Rwanda and in the Diaspora. Ms. Bakuramutsa presented how networking will aid in building our Rwandan communities and most importantly our country Rwanda. She further emphasized the different investment opportunities in Rwanda with real estate, mutual fund, and small businesses in Rwanda for the Diaspora, and the Diaspora should be open to investing in Rwanda and taking up all the opportunities presented to/for them.
RCA 2009 Awards: RCA started in 2008 giving out awards to recognize Rwandans and non-Rwandans for their outstanding work in promoting Rwandan development, Rwandan culture, and Rwandan history.
Investor Award: Rob Fogler
Friend of Rwanda Award: Dr. Kakoma
Youth Award: Keza Ruzima
Artist Award: Mighty Popo
Humanitarian Award: Jacqueline Murekatete
Recommendations for Implementation:
Business Investment:
RCA recommends a branding of Rwanda in which RCA provides a bridge for Rwanda to promote foreign and Rwandan Diaspora investment. RCA further provides a new branding of Tourism to attract Americans and Canadians in Rwanda for vacation.
Promotion and facilitate of two Rwandan led Business to invest in Rwanda
Aiding to implement the Kigali Folk Festival in Rwanda for September 2010
Education Projects:
Currently RCA education Director has moved to Rwanda to implement Video Conferencing in Rwanda. In collaboration with student lead group organization Students In Free Enterprise based at the University of Butingham and Process Learning Center based in the US to provide business development training for high school and university students. The project with further strengthen business leadership.
Youth Workshop
RCA recommends that internships be provided annually for youth studying in the Diaspora. Competitive internships may be organized in which top 10 students in the Diaspora gain 3 months of internship during the summer in four different categories: Banking, government, non-profit/civil society, education (teachers)
Work in Collaboration with Concordia University to set up a youth conference in Rwanda for Resume Building, career orientation, goal setting, and leadership. Lead by RCA Youth officers.
Diaspora:
Promotion of initiative started by Rwandans in the Diaspora to recognize their work and achievements in the Rwandan community and professionally. The development of a strong professional Rwandan network in the Diaspora that will aid in strengthening capacity building within our communities and youth leadership. Main objective is to unite Rwandans in the Diaspora and other Africans targeting to invest in East Africa, and Rwanda.
SPONSORS:
Job In Africa www.jobinafrica.com
ATEN IT Business
Hinckely Allen Snyder Attorney at LAW
Embassy of Rwanda Ottawa
Rwanda Development Board, Tourism and Conservation www.rwandatourism.com
Collaborative Organizations
Transitional Trade www.transitionaltrade.org
Concordia University
Rwandan Professional Forum of Canada
