On 25th January 2019, Never Again Rwanda in partnership with Interpeace hosted a stakeholder’s meeting to validate the research on “The Role of Civil Society in enhancing Citizen Participation in Governance and Development Processes in Post-Genocide Rwanda.” The event that brought together over 150 officials from the different public, private, civil society, media, and donor institutions was a platform to examine the research findings, polish up the recommendations and jointly adopt resolutions, which if and when implemented can boost the CSOs role in enhancing citizen participation in Rwanda.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director, Dr. Joseph Nkurunziza Ryarasa lauded the Government of Rwanda’s establishment of a framework that creates a conduce environment for the civil society to operate, a basis upon which CSOs can empower citizens and amplify their voices in the decision-making process. This was reiterated by the Ag. Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Governance Board, Dr. Usta Kayitesi who committed to contributing to a more conducive environment for the Civil Society to deliver better and timely – hence be more relevant to both citizens and Government.
Part of the research findings indicated that CSOs tend to engage in service provision as it is less risky, which impedes their position to neither challenge decision-makers nor hold them accountable, which would be their hinge to boost citizen participation. The research also revealed that CSOs decry the limited human and financial resources (both in quantity and quality), which adversely affects their efforts in advocating for more citizen participation. This element was echoed by the Chairperson from Transparency Rwanda Immaculee Ngabire on the panel of experts where she stated that: “We are scattered because of limited financial means and lack of specialty. We ought to identify our specialties and boost our capacities, which will help us recruit skilled staff and engage in partnership rather than competition.” Building on the need to forge a solid force as the Civil Society, Betty Mutesi the Country Director at International Alert noted that: “There is need to build stronger collaboration between local civil society and International NGOs since we are all focusing on building capacities of citizens as well as responding to their needs.”
Renée Lariviere, an Interpeace representative in her closing remarks urged CSO stakeholders to maintain broad public interest and a cordial relationship with the Rwandan government if they want to play an important role in society on behalf of the vulnerable.
The Participatory Action Research was sampled in 10 Districts (all provinces and the City of Kigali) engaging 47 Focus Groups Discussions and 39 Key Informant Interviews. The research aimed to examine the perspectives and expectations of citizens, government, CSOs and donors in enhancing citizen participation, and exploring existing mechanisms that CSOs could use to harness citizen participation.
After responding to the recommendation from National Stakeholders Meeting, which coincided as the validation session, the final research report will be uploaded on our website www.neveragainrwanda.org