President Paul Kagame received a team of Harvard Business School students on May 16, where he briefed them on Rwanda's journey of rebuilding and recovery following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Kagame told the students that country’s journey of reconstruction was determined by its unique history and context. “Like any other country or society, Rwandans have their ways, they have their problems, and they have their restraints,” he said. “So, we approach the management of our affairs and society and deal with our problems based on that understanding of who we are, who we want to be, where we are coming from, where we want to go.” ALSO READ: Kagame tips Harvard business students on leadership He further emphasized the importance of understanding Rwanda’s unique context, saying it is crucial to “read and understand carefully what all that entails. And more importantly, to try and communicate it among ourselves and do the kind of soul-searching [we need] to find solutions to the many problems we have or have had.” The President acknowledged the progress made since the Genocide and noted that the journey was ongoing. “We don’t pretend about anything. We know that a lot of progress has been made, but we have not succeeded in everything. We are not even bound to succeed in everything. But we try to register progress in the things that matter most to us,” he told the Harvard students. ALSO READ: Harvard students share lessons from Rwanda’s development journey Kagame also highlighted Rwanda's resilience, stating, “We don't have much to spoil us. We have just had the lessons of our past that are tragic. Therefore, you either pick up your pieces and move forward, or you perish. We operate within these kinds of limitations.” The president has met with Harvard students on several occasions over the years. In 2023, for example, he engaged with a group of Harvard Business School students, discussing leadership, Rwanda's history, and the nation’s reconstruction after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and the lessons learned. ALSO READ: Harvard students meet with Kagame Earlier this year, in March, students from Harvard Kennedy School were in Rwanda for a week-long study tour to learn about the country’s history, culture, and development journey. During their visit, they engaged with government officials to discuss Rwanda’s approach to governance, investment, trade, tourism, and conservation, among other things.
