Editorial: A national dialogue goes beyond just mere talk

The 15th edition of the National Umushyikirano Council kicks off in Kigali tomorrow. The previous editions have been the breeding grounds and sounding board for many of the innovative policies that have propelled this country forward. Some examples of the positive social protection outcomes that came out of the national dialogue are the One Cow per Family initiatives (Girinka), local mediation committees (abunzi) that helped courts by taking on the role of mediators to ease the judicial pressures. One would be doing injustice to the dialogue without mentioning the Umwalimu Sacco, a teachers’ savings scheme that has become a lifeline to educators who are among of the lowest paid civil servants. The list of outcomes is long. This year’s focus will dwell on three main areas; national transformation strategy, values for prosperity and well as involving the youth in all aspects of transformation. All these make part of the wider Vision 2050 that aims at nation building and improving the social and economic prospects. So, for the next two days the floor will remain open for the public to give their input The National Dialogue is definitely one of the several homegrown solutions to the country’s challenges. This time the most significant addition is putting the youth at the centre of transformation as they make around three quarters of the population. What is being done now is building a firm foundation for the future as today’s youth do not have to reinvent the wheel of drawing sustainable economic and social prosperity.

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Editorial: A national dialogue goes beyond just mere talk