The Kigali Global Shapers (KGS) Hub was launched Saturday, under its first initiative called Twumve, Twumve aimed at empowering Rwandan youth through the spread of ideas, engaging in dialogue and cross mentoring with Rwandan leaders.
Twumve, Twumve is based on the premise of youth listening to role models, and being listened to in return, and can be loosely translated as ‘we hear you, hear us too.”
Launched at Ishyo Arts Centre, the Twumve, Twumve event was themed “Rwanda 50+” and included speakers Senator Tito Rutaremara, Acting RDB CEO Clare Akamanzi and Diane Umutoni, a young girl from the Girl Hub’s Ni Nyampinga project.
The Kigali Global Shapers is part of the Global Shapers Community, an offshoot of the World Economic Forum. The Global Shapers Community is a network of hubs founded and led by young people who are exceptional in their potential, their achievements and their drive to make a contribution to their communities.
Speakers engaged with young members reflecting on Rwanda 50 years ago and envisaging where Rwanda should be in 50 years to come.
In his remarks, Senator Rutaremara gave a historical account of Rwanda from pre-colonial days todate, with detailed narrative of the RPF struggle and the impact of its leadership on events leading to present-day Rwanda.
Clare Akamanzi spoke of present and journey of resilience, saying that “18 years ago, it was impossible to think we would be where we are today. This is a result of determination and resilience.”
She encouraged members that when faced with a challenge, “to feel the fear and do it anyway.” Akamanzi was recently named as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.
Umutoni gave an account of her personal growth from the Ni Nyampinga project, stating that her vision of Rwanda in 50 years “is one full of confident Rwandans who have the idea that anything is achievable if one’s mind is put to it.”
The Kigali Global Shapers Hub has the vision of “Creating a platform that engages with youth in Rwanda to inspire innovation and change.” Its mission is to “Empower Youth through the Spread of Ideas and Dialogue.”
Of its ten global shapers, all of them have been selected based on their leadership capacities that have impacted on and are benefitting communities around the country.
According to Founding Curator Diana Mpyisi, some of the Hub’s outcomes are the creation of networks between youth involved in the Twumve, Twumve initiative, as well as the creation of an emerging and positive narrative of Rwanda by its youth.
Leave a Reply