Past Conventions

 

 

2007 RWANDA CONVENTION
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
INTRODUCTION
Rwanda Convention Association launched its fourth annual convention in Bethesda, Maryland at the Bethesda Marriott Conference Hotel from 21st to 23rd of September, 2007.

The RCA’s goals for this year were to be:

  • Aiding Rwanda to transform into knowledge based economy. 
  • Acquiring Northern American investors to ameliorate :
    • Private sector in Rwanda
    • Information and Technology
    • Education sector
    • Media
  • Promoting African businesses based in America to invest in Rwanda
  • Setting up a network for professionals and NGO dedicating in aiding in the development of a new and improved Rwanda
  • Promoting Rwandan artistes abroad
  • Promoting and maintaining Rwandan culture in the US community and Rwandans living in the US and Canada

OPENING CEREMONY

The President of Rwanda Convention open the ceremony’s welcoming the distinguished guests and future investors to the conference. Announcement that RCA is moving into a new structured direction that will focus on:

  1. Aiding Rwanda reach its Vision 2020 goals in
    • Education Sector
    • Private Sector: promotion of small businesses and entrepreneurship through American investors
    • Media development-
    • Development and establishment of  Information and Technology in Rwanda
    • Strengthening its community in the US through its Rwandan community in North America, (US and Canada)

RCA is dedicating in the promotion of Rwandan culture and strengthening the existing communities. From 2004 through 2006 RCA has not only limited itself in the development of Rwanda, but also aided in the strengthening of the Rwandan Diaspora through its annual convention. RCA since its existence has facilitated in the investment of Northern American businesses and organizations in Rwanda, but not limited to, by Verizon Wireless, Thousand Hills Ventures Funds, and Engineers without Borders.

2007 convention focused on four elements:

  • Building of a Knowledge based economy
  • Emergence of new stable Economy in Rwanda
  • Development of Rwandan International Network
  • Rwanda the Rebirth of Nation

GUEST OF HONOR
The Guest of honor Kay Warren bestowed on the attendees an inspirational speech. “Rwandans are people of tremendous grace and courage.  Rwandans are triumphing over evil by doing good.” Mrs. Warren presented to investors how a tragic nation is developing into a new and stronger economic nation. The development of Rwanda has inspired Kay Warren to launch the establishment of healthcare facilities for HIV/AIDS patients. Through existing churches, Kay Warren will be setting up a healthcare service in villages throughout Rwanda. Currently, fifty churches in Kibuye have been mobilized to start implementation plan. Saddleback Church has been an active entity in Rwanda to aid social and civil development. Mrs. Warren is dedicated to aid in the development of Rwanda and has stated that Rwanda is currently at its peek for investment and development.
Honorable Minister Charles Murigande spoke on the development and statute of Rwandan diaspora in United States and Canada. Unfortunately, a misconception on what Rwanda Convention Association (RCA) represents and what Honorable Minister Murigande would like to invision with the Diaspora desk in charge of Rwandan Diaspora occurred. RCA is a and NGO that focuses on aiding Rwanda develop economically and socially.RCA is not to be confused with Rwandan Diaspora organization.

  • RCA is in full collaboration with MarketTiger to promote Global Market Community to aid companies in Rwandan communities and Rwanda to promote their businesses

 

BUILDING A KNOWLEDGE BASED SOCIETY
Building a knowledge based society was one of the many goals of 2007 for RCA. Through a knowledge based society Rwanda will be able to gain better access to its Diaspora and for investment.

GOVERNANCE

  • Investor Mike Singh, CEO of Telkom Caribe stated that Rwanda has all the ingredients to set up Information and Technology in Rwanda
    • Peace and Stability
    • Good Governance
    • Transparency and accountability
  • Mr. Singh has promised to deliver 12 votes for Rwanda from the Caribbean to allow Rwanda to enter the Common Wealth. Mr. Singh further calls upon the U.S. to join Rwanda and NGO’s to aid in the development of Rwanda.

VIDEO CONFERENCING: EDUCATION

Burl Waits, Process Learning Center is dedicating in aiding the building of knowledge based society for Rwanda. Through video conferencing Mr. Waits believes that this will aid Rwanda to strength its education sector, IT sector, and provide access for professional businesses in Rwanda to the world economy. As a result, Rwanda will be able to emerge and compete into international economy. Through the development of technology Rwanda will be able to reach its vision 2020 goal.

GLOBAL MARKET COMMUNITY

Michael Cant, CEO of MarketTiger is dedicating in fostering a knowledge based society and increasing entrepreneurship. Inspired to aid in the United Nations Millennium goals, Market Tiger is dedicating in contributing to aid Rwanda reach its Vision 2020 goals in Information and Technology. MarketTiger is dedicating to aid small businesses in Rwanda to grow economically through international investors by developing a global community that will attract investors. IT will aid in increasing Rwandan entrepreneurship to find its way into the global community.

RWANDA VISION 2020

Doreen Kagarama of the Rwandan Embassy in Washington Dc presented on Rwanda’s Vision 2020 goals.  The Embassy calls upon the diaspora to aid in the development of:

  • Agricultural transformation
  • Private Sector
  • Human Resources
  • Infrastructure
  • Regional integration

AREAS WHICH CAN BE DEVELOPED IN RWANDA

An emerging economy panel lead by Director of RIEPA, Francis Gatare established the mass opportunities of investment in Rwanda. Rwanda has a GDP growth exponentially of 6% and continually growing per year. Inflation is under 5%, and the currency in Rwanda is appreciating consistently. RIEPA has been established and is dedicated to facilitate investment in Rwanda and to aid in the economic development of Rwanda.

  • Goodworks International promotes growth and investment in southern and central Africa. They have been a major role in aiding investment in Rwanda. The emergence of a strong economy lies within its diaspora. Goodworks supports Rwanda to achieve its Millennium goals. On November 10th to 13th Goodworks will showcase all the investment opportunities in Africa particularly Rwanda. Its launch of “Rwanda Rising” a movie directed by Ambassador Andrew Young will be showcased starting fall 2007 on all Delta airlines flights.  RCA screened the movie and it was a success among its participants. The movie depicts the development of Rwanda from 1994 to now. The growth Rwanda has entailed socially and economically has proven that a nation can survive and rebuild after a devastating conflict. Goodworks is also dedicating in aiding the development of knowledge based economy. It’s currently partners with Kigali Institute of Technology to aid in the development of IT in Rwanda.

 

TRANSFERING OF MONEY

  • Afripayments in alliance with Zigama CFS is Rwanda has established technology for the diaspora to transfer funds efficiently and affordably. They will provide electronic funds, loans, and provide investment opportunities for Rwandans in the diaspora and Rwandan based businesses. The launch of Afripayment is November 2007.

 

REAL ESTATE

  • Real Estate Investment in Rwanda is another opportunity open to American real estate agencies and Rwandan diaspora. Two and three bedroom houses ready in 12 months. A down payment of 10% is needed. For more information on real estate development in Rwanda www.realcontractors.biz

 

The development of an emerging economic society relies on the development of media also. Media infrastructure is important in order to aid civil society and advocacy in Rwanda. Allan Thompson of the Media Institute in Canada presented on the importance of the development of media infrastructure in Rwanda. Mr. Thompson laid the importance of media development within the framework of Rwanda. Through advocacy the Rwandan diaspora can aid in the development and improvement of media in Rwanda.

 

CURRENT PROJECTS: 2007

  • RCA currently is working with Learning Process Centers to launch Video Conferencing in Rwanda to aid Rwanda reach its Vision 2020 education sector goal
  • RCA is working with MarketTiger to aid in the development of global community aiding in the development of Rwanda economically
  • RCA has collaborated with Goodworks international the investment of Verizon Wireless in Rwanda in 2006
  • RCA has further facilitated and collaborated the development Entrepreneurship in Rwanda.  Kivu Technologies started in 2006 by Davis Kayonga has been launched and is ready to serve both Rwandan diaspora and Rwandan businesses based in Rwanda

 

CONCLUSION
RCA was established in 2004, its goal was to establish a “Stronger Community” through the development of Information and Technology in Rwanda. A private initiative, RCA is a non-profit organization under section 501 (c) (3) of federal law. RCA has facilitated in the investment of Northern American businesses and organizations in Rwanda, but not limited to, by Verizon Wireless, Thousand Hills Ventures Funds, and Engineers without Borders. RCA is moving into a new direction. With time comes evolution and with change comes renewed development and structure. We thank all investors and Rwandans who attended and continuously supported RCA. Although RCA met many constraints in 2007, we have not changed our goal, but have strengthened it.
The Rwandan Diaspora is an essential part in aiding in the development of Rwanda economically and socially. As a result RCA has initiated the development of Rwandan International Network in which each Rwandan community based in the U.S. and Canada can support each other in their initiatives and goals. The strength of each community lies within its support by other communities.

RCA is and has renewed its dedication to the building a stronger Rwanda through US and Canadian business investors. We invite you all to join us in our cause and hope to see you at our next convention.

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