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This year, Rwanda Convention Association (RCA) held its fifth annual Rwanda Convention in Chicago, Illinois. Every year for the last five years, Rwandans in North America, friends of Rwanda and other persons with interests in the socio-economic development of Rwanda have come together to exchange ideas, get updates on the country's progress, and network.

The theme of the 2008 Convention was "Celebrating 14 Years of Liberation: Empowering Rwanda through Education and Investment." The convention had four objectives:

• To promote educational projects in Rwanda started and sponsored by US based organizations.
• To promote US based East African businesses engaged in fostering East Africa’s economic development.
• To promote books and documentaries on Rwanda’s history and culture with a view to raise an awareness in America for the need to contribute to Rwanda’s development.
• To engage in a conversation on reconciliation both in Rwanda and in the Diaspora.

This report covers the events that spanned the three days of the 2008 Convention over the three days. The Convention attracted participants from all walks of life. There were diplomats, civil rights activists, students, artists, dancers, film makers, to mention but a few. The report is written in a chronological order of the events.

The Convention took place during a time of much significance both in the US and in Rwanda. July 4th marked fourteen years of liberation of Rwanda. July 4th also marked the 232nd anniversary of Independence Day in the US.

Day One: Friday, July 4th, 2008

The Convention started at Foster Beach Park with its annual BBQ and sports event to welcome participants. During the afternoon, participants were welcomed with food, refreshments, and sports entertainment – a soccer match and a basketball tournament. A soccer team comprised of Rwandans played against the renowned Ugandan soccer team from Chicago. The game ended with a draw of 2-2.

LIBERATION COCKTAIL

Following the events at Foster Beach Park, the Rwanda Embassy in Washington, D.C. sponsored a welcoming cocktail at the Swissotel. The cocktail opened with a prayer by Bishop Alexis Bilindabago of the Anglican Church of Gahini, followed by speeches by Rev. Jesse Jackson, Honourable delegate to Rwanda in Chicago Joe Richie, and Ambassador Eng. James Kimonyo.

Mr. Richie’s speech was on hope in the rebirth of Rwanda. He talked of the opportunities and the goals that the Rwandan government has set for the country’s economic development. Mr. Richie said he was honoured to represent Rwanda in Chicago, adding that he had great hopes for Rwanda and its future.

Rev. Jesse Jackson in his speech praised the government’s efforts to bring about unity in Rwanda. With his organization, the Rainbow Coalition, he said he would aid in reconciliation talks and in the rebuilding of unified Rwanda.

Ambassador James Kimonyo spoke about Rwanda's progress during the past 14 years and on the importance of supporting government programs such as unity and reconciliation, and economic development. He praised the works of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Joe Richie, and Michael Brotchner for their active initiatives in promoting social and economic development in Rwanda.

Participants were then entertained to traditional Rwandan dance by a group based in Michigan. The day’s activities ended with beautiful fireworks displayed by the City of Chicago over the river.

Day Two: Saturday, July 15th, 2008

The president of RCA, Urusaro Bakuramutsa, officially welcomed participants to the 2008 Convention. In her welcome note, she pointed to the importance of having conventions. She talked of the rebirth of RCA that is dedicated not only to uniting the Rwandan Diaspora, but in development and promotion of initiatives that aid the socio-economic development of Rwanda. She thanked the sponsors and wished the panellists and participants a fruitful convention.

Bakuramutsa’s welcome note was followed by Ambassador Eng. James Kimonyo’s welcome address. He noted the importance for Rwandans in the Diaspora to speak Kinyarwanda and to promote their culture in the Diaspora. He also noted the importance of Rwandans’ participation in the development of Rwanda. He called on each Rwandan to take advantage of economic opportunities in Rwanda and to contribute to organizations that are currently aiding Rwanda.

The keynote address was given by the guest of honour, Stephen Kinzer, author of A Thousand Hills: Rwanda’s Rebirth and the Man Who Dreamed it. In his speech, he spoke about the contents of the book and what he went through to write it. Kinzer's book tells of how Rwanda has shifted from being one of the most devastated countries on earth to being not only peaceful but also bursting with ambition and determination to be the next star of Africa. Kinzer also spoke broadly about President Paul Kagame's role in the progress that Rwanda is making.

The first panel discussion of the day was on education. The theme of the panel was “Building a Knowledge-based Economy.” The panel was moderated by Mutoni Karasanyi, RCA Education Program Director. Other members of the panel were Michael Brotchner, Executive Director of Orphans of Rwanda; Diana Kakoma of Kigali Public Library Fund, an organisation dedicated to raising funds for the completion of Kigali Public Library; Alexandre Dauge-Roth of Friends of Tubeho, a non-profit organization that is committed to providing access to education for more than 300 orphans of the genocide. The orphans live together in small houses provided by the Tubeho association in Kigali.

Mutoni Karasanyi updated participants on the progress of RCA education projects. He introduced the first RCA education project to launch video conferencing in Rwanda to strengthen teacher training in Word History, Math, and Science. In partnership with Learning Process Center, RCA aims to establish a quarterly training of teachers in Rwanda to aid in:

1. Teach pedagogy.
2. Strengthening curriculum in Math, Science, and World History
3. Developing modules for students in elementary and high school to raise scores in Math, Science and World History.

Brotchner of Orphans of Rwanda highlighted the importance of focusing on education in the development of the country. He stressed that the success of the country relies on its educated population. He pointed out that even though there are high enrolment rates in primary school, the intake into higher education is still very low, yet the country needs skilled labourers.

He said that the contribution of his organisation is in helping orphans attain university education. Paying for all their costs includes housing, tuition, health care and stipends. He noted that their support is extended to the families of the orphans so that the students do not drop out of school to support their families.

Brotchner also read out some success stories to the participants. However, he said that the demand is way higher than the organisation’s capacity. Last year, his organization had about 1500 applications, but could only support almost 70. He also explained the procedure of admitting students into their program.

Brotchner urged the participants to spread the word about Orphans of Rwanda with the objective of raising funds to support more orphans.

Diana Kakoma of the Kigali Public Library Fund spoke about the progress of the construction of Rwanda's first public library. Kaufman spoke of the importance of accessing books and how urgent the library is needed in Kigali. She also showed participants pictures of the different stages the library has gone through over the years. The library is under construction and funds are needed to ensure its completion. She finally urged participants to donate money towards the completion of the library that is scheduled for February 2009.

Alexandre Dauge-Roth of Friends of Tubeho told participants of the history of his organization, what they do, and how they have helped vulnerable families. He told participants that his organisation mainly raises funds and sends them to Tubeho, which in turn pays for the needy students. The beneficiaries are however required to provide reports on their progress. He further pointed out that one of the key guidelines for Tubeho is that each household have a beneficiary.

Dauge-Roth urged participants to come on board and join the network of friends of Tubeho.

Business Panel

The Business Panel on Empowering Africa through the Economy was moderated by Urujeni Bakuramutsa. On the Panel were Christine Yako, founder of Africa Alumni; and Janet Mongai, chairperson of the US-East Africa Chamber of Commerce.

Yako spoke about AfricaAlumni.com, a networking community for African professionals and entrepreneurs. Yako also explained why people should join Africa Alumni, She told convention participants that through the AfricaAlumni.com network, one is able to stay connected with like-minded individuals, share ideas and information and obtain employment and business opportunities. Giving her personal experience of how her drive enabled her make it in the US, Yako expressed the importance of having mentors or mentoring others. She said that Africa Alumni is a platform for creating the much needed mentoring culture and experts to offer guidance. She offered free Africa Alumni life membership to convention participants.

Janet Mungai spoke about the newly established US-East Africa Chamber of Commerce that was launched in June 2008. The purpose of the Chamber will be to promote the development of small and medium sized enterprises of the East African community in the US Midwest region, starting with Chicago. The Chamber will also promote business ties within the East African communities in the US.

ART EXPOSITION

After lunch, participants were hosted to a guided art exhibition by New York-based award winning Rwandan artist Duhirwe Rushemeza. On display were a number of Rushemeza's master pieces that participants purchased at reasonable prices.

Rushemeza told participants about how her work was created. She has been working on a series portraying child survivors of war. Her work has evolved into a more global perspective on the same subject, and now includes maps of countries all over the world that have had a violent past and repositioning them in her “harmonious new world.” The work is mainly a type of art called Printmaking, specifically relief linocut and woodcuts.

MEDIA PANEL

The final panel was the media panel that was moderated by Collin Haba. The members of the media panel were Stephen Kinzer; Gabriel Cowan, producer of the film Flowers in the Gun Barrel; and Gilbert Ndahayo, producer of the film Behind the Convent.

The participants viewed Cowan's film, Flowers in the Gun Barrel, which is near completion. Cowan and Ndahayo spoke about the role of movies in fostering reconciliation and portraying the true picture of Rwanda and/or genocide.

Ndahayo, a survivor of the genocide, also spoke about his movie Behind the Convent, an emotional story of the massacre of his family and friends.

Both Cowan and Ndahayo shared with participants the lessons they have learned from making their films.

The panellists also spoke about reconciliation and the role played by religion in fostering the process. Kinzer also spoke about the differences among development partners and human rights organisations regarding their perception of Rwanda.

The floor was then opened to participants to ask questions and to make suggestions and comments.

Following the close of the media panel, participants were welcomed to purchase copies of Stephen Kinzer's book A Thousand Hills: Rwanda’s Rebirth and the Man Who Dreamed It. Kinzer was also available for book signing.

"BEHIND THE CONVENT"

Gilbert Ndahayo then screened his film Behind the Convent. After the screening, participants engaged in a discussion of his portrayal of the genocide and the impact his confronting his family’s killer during the making of the documentary had on him. The discussion of the documentary was followed by Amb. Nsengimana’s praise of Ndahayo’s telling of the story of the 1994 genocide. He commended him for his efforts of preserving the memories of the pain that Rwandan survivors of the genocide hold in their hearts.

Day two of the convention was concluded by a dance party at the Swissotel.

Day Three: Sunday, July 6th, 2008

Rwanda Convention Association hosted participants to a farewell picnic on one of the beaches on Lake Michigan. At the picnic, participants held a town hall meeting to evaluate the convention. Participants also pledged to get more involved in the planning of subsequent conventions. They recommended that the youth in particular be more involved, promising to hold fund-raising activities with the objective of making the 2009 convention a bigger and better event. Right there and then, some of the participants donated money to the association.

RCA AWARDS FOR 2008

Friend of the Year 2008: RCA recognized Amb. Andrew Young for his achievements in promoting Rwanda and its development through his movie Rwanda Rising and through his organization Good Works International.

Artist of the Year 2008: RCA recognized Duhirwe Rushemeza for her outstanding art work and for her initiative in promoting Rwandan art and African awareness in the US and Canada.

Youth Award 2008: RCA recognized Stephanie Nyombayire for her initiative of raising awareness about the genocide in Darfur. RCA also commended her work in promoting awareness of Rwandan history in the US.

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