On today\u2019s panel discussion was moderator Cleophas Barore, the Executive Producer of Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), Anastase Shyaka, the Minister of Local Government, Nyirahabimana Soline, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion as well as Florence Mukantaganda, a community health worker and Sr Immaculee Uwamariya.<\/p>\n
Minister Shyaka commended the efforts of Rwandans over the past 20 years in building resilience in their communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the past 20 years, Rwandans became patriotic and focused on being solution providers. All this contributed to the journey towards the country\u2019s transformation. Although we are on a good path towards development, we should not stop here. We need to keep fighting against poverty because it is not our destiny. The work of our hands will glorify us.\u201d<\/p>\n
On maintaining work-life balance, Minister Nyirahabimana said that we never should lack time for caring about our families no matter how busy work or career makes us. <\/p>\n
\u201cTime is indeed precious but we need to prioritize what really matters for us by striving to grow financially through our careers but also finding time to be with our families.\u201d <\/p>\n
She said that the Rwandan community has made strides in building healthy families but that the enemy of sustaining growth is taking the gains for granted.<\/p>\n
Florence Mukantaganda, one of the thousands of community health workers that have helped revolutionalize public health across the country said that community workers don\u2019t do their work for merits or remunerations but for the love they have for their country. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever we do is out of a loving heart & sense of responsibility to our country, not for anything in return”<\/p>\n
About contributing to healthy families, Sr Immaculee said that parents need to take an active part in educating their children instead of relaying the entire responsibility to schools. <\/p>\n
\u201cParents and teachers have different responsibilities in the education of their children. You cannot outsource parenting.\u201d She urged parents to lead by example and not be ‘do as I say not as I do’ type of parents.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the topic of unplanned pregnancies, Sr Immaculee said that parents should not forsake their teenage daughters because of unplanned pregnancies but that they should support them as much as they can. \u201cplease support your daughters, don\u2019t reject them\u201d<\/p>\n
The dialogue proceeded with a question session where citizens addressed their concerns from sites in Rubavu, Nyagatare, Nyamagabe, Bweyeye in Rusizi and Intare Conference Arena.<\/p>\n
About easing access to education, Prime Minister Ngirente announced that Ubudehe social stratification will no longer serve as a requirement for students to be able to access government scholarships. <\/p>\n
\u201cUbudehe categories will no longer be the basis in providing scholarships to students for varsity studies. Going forward, students will be selected according to their competence in school and their grades instead of their social status.\u201d<\/p>\n
On preserving road safety IGP Dan Munyuza reported the results that \u2018Gerayo Amahoro\u2019 campaign yielded. <\/p>\n
\u201cSince the introduction of \u2018Gerayo Amahoro\u2019 campaign road accidents have reduced by 43% in the past 7 months. Rwanda National Police continues to educate road users on dangers of drunk driving and increasing preventive measures.\u201d<\/p>\n
President Kagame closed the two-day dialogue with a brief address saying that the National Dialogue serves as a platform for Rwandans to assess the personal contributions they are giving towards the development of the country. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a platform that allows us to evaluate what needs to be done to achieve our collective vision.\u201d He wished Rwandans a happy festive season and congratulated them for all that has been achieved together this year.
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