{"id":11330,"date":"2009-12-11T15:03:15","date_gmt":"2009-12-11T15:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paulkagame.com\/?p=11330"},"modified":"2017-07-28T15:15:48","modified_gmt":"2017-07-28T15:15:48","slug":"national-dialogue-engages-with-more-rwandans-than-ever-kigali-11-december-2009","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paulkagame.rw\/2025\/?p=11330","title":{"rendered":"National Dialogue Engages with More Rwandans than Ever \u2013 Kigali, 11 December 2009"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The 7th Annual National Dialogue closed today in Kigali, Rwanda where citizens from all walks of life challenged their leaders on the issues that affect their lives.
\nThe unique democratic process, mandated by Rwanda\u2019s constitution and known as Umushyikirano in Kinyarwanda, the national language, saw hundreds of Rwandans representing all levels of society gathering in the Parliament chamber to debate the future direction of the country and to hold their leaders to account. Over 700 participants at the dialogue, which is broadcast live on television and radio, included all branches of government, district mayors and grassroots leaders, heads of agencies, members of the Rwandan Diaspora, media, diplomats and development partners.<\/p>\n

The two day event included, for the first time, live SMS and telephone questions from the public and was preceded by a series of radio shows each featuring senior government officials including cabinet ministers, the Prime Minister and the President who took part in a 4-hour live call-in radio show last Sunday.<\/p>\n

Opening the Umushyikirano proceedings, President Kagame \u00a0said: \u201cI am satisfied with the achievements of Rwanda, and we must keep on pushing forward.\u00a0 Rwanda is number one for reform, but I want us to be number one for implementation too.\u201d He urged Rwandans to welcome the new friendships recently forged through accession to the Commonwealth and re-opening of diplomatic relations with France, and\u00a0 called on them to stay close to old friends.<\/p>\n

Pointing out that good leaders with the interests of the country at heart were crucially important for Rwanda, President Kagame challenged\u00a0Ministers, Mayors and business leaders to stand up before the people and account for their successes and failures. He emphasised the need to identify the root causes of problems and find workable solutions for the benefit of the people.\u00a0 \u201cEveryone we need is together in this room, so we must be able to solve these problems today, right now\u201d.<\/p>\n

In his closing remarks, President Kagame emphasised the need for home-grown solutions, developed and implemented by Rwandans, pointing to local innovations including\u00a0Ubudehe, Imihigo, Umuganda,\u00a0<\/em>and held up Gacaca as an example, saying that \u201cGacaca gave us a solution that we could not find anywhere else\u201d. President Kagame expressed his satisfaction of the democratic debate shown in the National Dialogue, and told the participating leaders \u201cResolutions are only approach the start. Now, we must deliver on them\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Prime Minister, on day one of Umushyikirano updated everyone on achievements from last year, such as the safety net provided in local savings schemes (SACCOs) and Rwandans\u2019 valuable contribution to the construction of additional classrooms required for the new nine-year basic education program that begins in 2010. The Prime Minister said \u201cRwanda needs to be proud of all this \u2013 but also must work on Resolutions that are not complete\u201d.<\/p>\n

More Rwandan citizens than ever were able to take part in the event:<\/p>\n