The 9th National Dialogue opens today at the Parliamentary building. Over 1,500 delegates including representatives of the central and local government, legislators, private sector and civil society will convene for the two-day event.
President Kagame is expected to table the discussions also to be graced by religious leaders, development partners, Rwandan Diaspora as well as Diplomatic corps. A big number of Rwandans will participate using various online programmes.
According to the Prime Ministers Office and the Ministry of Foreign affairs, over 250 members of the Rwandan Diaspora are expected to attend the event, surpassing last year’s attendance of Rwandans living abroad.
The meeting which will be telecast live on the National TV as well as radio and online streaming is also expected to draw a big number of grassroot leaders.
President Kagame will open the meeting this morning and there after the Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi will deliver a report on the implementation of the recommendations of the 8th National Dialogue.
The Minister of Local Government James Musoni will make a presentation on how Rwandans solve their problems and develop their country by upholding their dignity while the Finance Minister John Rwangombwa will make a report on the progress of the EDPRS Phase I.
In the same session, strategies and means of embarking on EDPRS Phase II will be laid while other prominent discussions are expected to rotate around service delivery, good governance and the role of education in development.
Members of the Rwandan Diaspora will play a vital role in the debates which will be followed across the globe.
According to Leonie Rutanga, the Vice President of the Rwanda Global Network (RDGN), over 250 members of the Rwandan Diaspora are in the country with keen interest to participate in the National Dialogue.
“Majority of them are here for the festive season, to visit their families, some are in holidays but they are those who specifically came to attend the National Dialogue,”
“As you know the Government has encouraged members of the Rwandan Diaspora to be part of the nation building process so we don’t want to be left out. We cannot wait,” Rutanga said.
Over 60 of these came under the government programme of “come and see” aimed at encouraging Rwandans in exile to return home by showcasing the available opportunities and the progress the country has made.
They will tour different parts of the country before they consider returning or staying abroad. Among the areas they visit are the northern and western provinces.
The dialogue whose theme is “Strive for our Dignity and Together We Pitch for Rapid Development” is expected to bring together leaders and citizens to debate, assess progress, take stock and lay strategies for the next year.
Igihe.com will be there to bring you live updates as they happen. You can also follow the proceedings on TV and different radio stations. The discussions will be streaming live at www.umushyikirano.gov.rw and www.orinfor.gov.rw.
Follow the 9th National Dialogue on Twitter @umushyikirano and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Umushyikirano-2011/252929371433184?ref=ts.
You can also call on a special toll free lines 0252585268 and 0252585267 during the discussions to voice your concerns directly. An SMS line will be announced.
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