A new knowledge-based innovation center meant to boost Rwandan youth’s engagement in cultural heritage was launched in Kigali on Tuesday, January 31. Dubbed the Rwanda Heritage Hub, the center opened at the end of 2022 at the Kandt House Museum. ALSO READ: A closer look at Rwandan heritage that needs to be repatriated It aims to, among others, raise awareness and sensitize Rwandan youth about their country’s cultural heritage and unlock opportunities it offers, and position cultural heritage and creative industries as prospective sectors for employment and income generation. Experts have long established that Rwanda’s cultural heritage, especially the museums, has enormous potential but remain largely untapped, or “an untapped quarry, or oil”. Besides promoting heritage-related entrepreneurship, the hub will strengthen capacities of young heritage practitioners in the country with an emphasis on digital technologies. ALSO READ: Cultural Heritage body in fresh quest to promote creative industry under new pact The Director General of Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (RCHA), Amb. Robert Masozera, said it means a lot for the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) to have chosen to pilot this program in Rwanda. Masozera said: “We are expecting outstanding projects in the cultural heritage to be able to create jobs and inspire other young people to come up with innovative ideas too.” ALSO READ: Cultural heritage body to unveil sounds, songs recorded during colonial period Alice Uwamahoro, one of the trainees from the heritage hub with a project on camping sites and resorts, said: “Some cultural heritage sites are situated far away from hotels and restaurants and tourists have to travel to access them. My project will change this as it will give easier access to the tourists around the places they visit.” She said the new hub has been a place to learn how to identify business ideas and opportunities in the cultural heritage perspective. Webber Ndoro, the Director General of ICCROM , said that the youth are the future and most African youth are not employed. Ndoro said: “We have to engage our youth in something useful, heritage itself is important especially to us as Africans, and this is why we started the hub in an innovative way of generating income and getting hands-on experience.” Rwanda has been the pilot country for the program and they are currently planning to start in Kenya, Benin, Senegal, South Africa and Egypt. Ngabo Karegeya, a cultural heritage ideapreneur well known for his creative project and firm, Ibere rya Bigogwe Tourism Co Ltd, is part of the trainees at the hub. ALSO READ: Govt allocates land to Ibere rya Bigogwe tourism company He said it is very important since it captures the digital and business part of heritage. Karegeye said: “My work is going to be much more professional now, not necessarily changing my business strategy, but doing it in a way that brings growth, especially digital and financial wise.”
