Up to 120 representatives of young and older generations from various districts across Rwanda Friday held a dialogue on cultural norms and attitudes that negatively affect intergenerational solidarity in their communities.
Organised by Never Again Rwanda, the conversation also aimed at helping the two generations explore strategies to foster healthy and sustainable interactions and relations between them.
It was in line with this year’s International Youth Day, observed Friday globally under the theme, "Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages.”
Providence Iradukunda, the Founder of Youth Estimation for Peace and Development, who was among the youths in attendance, said it was important for the young and older generations to hold a conversation.
The dialogue took place as Rwanda joined the world to celebrate Internation youth Day
Most of the things the youth say and do today, she said, is in contrast with what their elders want to hear or see and vice versa. "It’s hard to address such conflict without bringing the two parties together.”
"For example, back in the day, a girl had to be at home by 6p.m unless she wanted to be considered immoral,” she said. "Today, a girl can have many good reasons to come home even at 11p.m, but a parent from the older generation won’t understand that because they don’t consider today’s context.”
Iradukunda added, "There is a lot of advice we can get from our parents but we cannot consult them knowing that they don’t even appreciate us when we do well.”
"On the other hand, it’s hard for a parent to approach a child knowing they usually do not understand them. None of the two parties has an issue; it’s that everyone is telling the truth from their perspective.”
She noted: "There is also a need to go to the grassroots level and teach people about intergenerational solidarity. We need to support local clubs and organisations so that they can spread this awareness.”
Attendees during a group work exercise during the dialogue on Friday ,August 11.Courtesy
Philbert Iradukunda, the Founder of Friends of Peace club that operates at the University of Rwanda - Nyagatare campus, said intergenerational conflict holds back solidarity.
"The younger generation say the older do not want to go with what’s trending while the older say that what’s trending is against our culture. We need to have a sober conversation so we can reach a common ground,” he said.
He added: "There should be community dialogues for the two generations so that everyone can know and understand the role they can play towards the country’s development. Then, youth will know what they need from elders and vice versa.”
Marthe Benimana Mukantwali, 68, a parent from Rwamagana District, supported the idea of parents and children regularly holding conversations and listening to each other as well as making decisions together.
This, she said, would augur well with the country’s development aspirations.
She admitted that some parents may not be carrying out their responsibility to take care of their children due to their busy schedules, which she said leads to immoral behaviours among children.
"A child and a parent need to listen to each other and find a common ground,” she said.
Christiane Rulinda, Deputy Executive Director in charge of Programs Development and Quality Assurance at Never Again Rwanda, observed that there is imbalance between the youth and the elder generations, including those in decision-making spheres.
Such conversations would serve as a cornerstone for intergenerational solidarity, he said.
"Promoting intergenerational solidarity and cooperation can help respond to some of the current societal challenges, through making the best use of what all of us can contribute regardless of our age,” she noted. "This would help bring about real economic and social benefits for all.”
Rulinda added: "I believe that ffacilitating discussion between the two generations will, in the long-run, promote an attitude where challenges are seen as opportunities, instead of focusing only on the negative.”