In 1994, extremist Hutus (the majority ethnic group) in Rwanda orchestrated a series of mass murders against the minority Tutsi population. This horrific genocide rocked the international community and left Rwanda in ruins. However, the country has become an incredible example of resilience and renewal three decades later. Central to this transformation has been the effort of different organizations empowering youth in Rwanda. Here are three of the most notable youth empowerment initiatives in Rwanda:

Never Again Rwanda

Never Again Rwanda (NAR) is a grassroots organization “dedicated to peacebuilding and social justice.” Its primary strategy is engaging young people, encouraging them to become agents for peace and valuable community members. NAR has employed several tactics to empower Rwandan youth.

One of these is confidence-building sessions, allowing young people to express their feelings and foster critical thinking skills. This has resulted in several participants running for leadership positions in their respective communities, advocating for social change and making a significant difference in post-genocide Rwanda.

NAR has also financially supported five youth-led organizations dedicated to peacebuilding and socioeconomic resilience. These youth-led initiatives attracted more than 3,000 people and they used creative approaches (poems, art, songs and more) to advocate for political reform.

Finally, NAR has worked to “bridge the gap between youth and social leaders,” through roundtable discussions where young people highlight relevant challenges and work with local government officials to foster solutions. Such transparency and connectedness between the state and the citizens are incredibly rare, proving how motivated youth are to work to make a change in Rwanda.

Youth Connekt Rwanda

The National Strategy for Transformation in Rwanda has noted that youth are its most excellent resource. YouthConnekt, created to tap into that resource, is “a platform designed to connect the youth for socioeconomic transformation.” It was first implemented in 2012 through the joint efforts of the Rwandan government and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). YouthConnekt focuses on leveraging youth employability and entrepreneurship.

This program has connected thousands of young Rwandans with mentorship, networking, funding and employment opportunities. The initiative also promotes civic engagement, encouraging young people to obtain digital training and get involved in their own local government. YouthConnekt Rwanda has won multiple awards, including the Future Policy Gold Award 2019 for Economic Empowerment of Youth. It has also received endorsement from the African Union. Dozens of professional partners have joined the program, optimizing youth empowerment initiatives in Rwanda.

Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)

YALI is a program founded by Barack Obama to “invest in the next generation of African leaders.” Most of Africa’s population is below 30 years old, marking a significant need to prepare them for the future. The Rwanda chapter, in particular, describes itself as a “community of young leaders who are passionate about driving positive change in our communities and beyond.”

Through the YALI Regional Leadership in East Africa, the program offers intensive training in entrepreneurship, civic engagement and various soft skills. Participants engage in collaborative activities, attend workshops and make valuable connections. YALI has a robust alumni base that spans Africa. This incredible program serves as a stepping stone for young Rwandans, empowering them to make a positive change in their local communities and beyond.

A Vision for the Future

Despite its dark past, youth empowerment initiatives in Rwanda, such as Never Again Rwanda, YouthConnekt Rwanda and YALI, have helped unlock a brighter future. These programs have helped thousands of brilliant young Rwandans to develop leadership skills, become involved in civics and create change in their local communities.

By empowering the younger generation, Rwanda has made a worthwhile investment in its future prosperity, stability and resilience. The country has not only addressed the wounds of the past but built a foundation for sustainable peace and development. This offers a valuable lesson to underdeveloped nations and post-conflict societies: investing in the youth can yield incredible results.

– Josh Weinstein

Josh is based in Chester Springs, PA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

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