Never Again Rwanda in partnership with Interpeace, with the support from the European Union Rwanda, on Wednesday officially launched the project entitled: “Enhancing and reinforcing Rwandan citizen participation in existing local government consultations processes and platforms”, which will be implemented in five Districts to include: Gasabo, Nyagatare, Rutsiro, Huye and Musanze. It will target community members, local decision-makers, and media. The project was designed within an effort to boost the functioning and enhance optimal utilization of public consultative processes and platforms designed by the Government of Rwanda (GoR) to boost citizens’ input into local and national policy processes.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of Never Again Rwanda, Dr. Joseph Ryarasa Nkurunziza, commended the political will of the government of Rwanda, for establishing policies and laws, which have created and opened up several opportunities for the Rwandan citizens to engage their leaders, to discuss their needs and at the same time understand government plans. “We need to work hand in hand with the responsible government institutions, in further enhancing additional skills set of our already performing local leaders, to do an even better job in engaging the citizens during the most critical decision-making phases”. He said
The head of the EU Delegation in Rwanda, Ambassador Nicola Bellomo noted that the project will contribute to the relentless efforts of leaders in Rwanda who champion for the concept of governance with and for citizens noting that “Development can’t happen in isolation, it needs synergies from different active actors to advance dialogues and push for citizen-centered governance”.
The Guest of Honor, Judith Kazaire, Head of Service Delivery, Good Governance, and JADF Department at Rwanda Governance Board, emphasized the existing gaps in civic participation but also on the existing political will to enhance governance and democratic principles. “This project conforms to the government agenda of citizen-centered governance, having leaders accountable and ensuring that governance principles are adhered to.” She said this as she officially opened the project launch event.
As the discussions on how to reinforce citizen participation kicked off; the vice Mayor of Social Affairs in Musanze District, Marie Claire Uwamariya, hailed the new project that will hinge on the experiences from Citizen Forums, which increased awareness of the citizens in planning and implementation of the decision-making processes in Musanze. “Citizen Forums helped us to change the mindset of the people who were reluctant”.
The Director General of Rwanda Management Institute, Gasamagera Wellars was also among the participants who urged different actors to engage people to participate in the decision-making process but also at the same time build their capacities to understand governance issues. “There are citizens who don’t understand who a leader is or their responsibility. Sometimes we elect people who are not capable. We must urge people to participate but also build their capacities “Gasamagera said
In his concluding remarks, Jean-Paul Mugiraneza, Eastern and Centralm Africa Regional Director of Interpeace commended the support of the European Union in Rwanda, the Rwanda Government, local leaders and CSO’s. “Citizen Participation is a mindset, but it is imperative to agree and disagree constructively and accept critical thinking, which ought to start from individual to the society”. He said
The project will directly work with community members, the media and local leaders. The project launch event has attracted central and local government officials, National and International CSOs, Media personalities among other dignitaries.