Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente will Saturday address the 2019 Rwandan Young Professionals Conference in Indianapolis, United States, with a focus on the role of the country’s youth in Rwanda’s sustainable development agenda. The event was organised by the United States Rwandan Community Abroad (USRCA) in collaboration with the Indianapolis Rwandan Diaspora Network (IRDN). The main goal is to mobilise the Rwandan young professional Diaspora to actively support and be part of Rwandas 2050 development blueprint, organisers say. The conference will include designing a roadmap to enhance young Rwandan professionals’ participation and contribution in the areas of ICT, public health, banking and investments, and the virtual delivery of products and services regardless of distance and location, according to a statement. Participants will also discuss how to enhance capacity building through participating and sharing best practices to support ongoing public and private projects. To achieve this, organisers say, there is need to offer “competency training and professional development, and to define patriotism and nation-building, promoting self-reliance and Agaciro – a concept focusing on dignity of Rwandans –, encouraging innovation and job creation.” Also to be discussed is how to create more investment opportunities for Rwanda as a gateway to East Africa. “The event seeks to develop programmes designed to create sustainable partnerships between Rwanda government entities and organisations that the young Rwandan professionals are working for,” the statement added. To feature on “Inspire Me” talk show during the event are Dr Clet Niyikiza – Founder, President and CEO of L.E.A.F. Pharmaceuticals, a global pharmaceutical company with a mission to discover, develop and commercialise innovative and safe therapies for cancer–, and Dr Donald Kaberuka, chair of the board of the Global Fund and former President of the African Development Bank. Panel discussions will mainly revolve around investment, entrepreneurship, and economic development, with panelists and other delegates discussing the “opportunities, gaps, and skills that make up the Rwandan economic development ecosystem and what young professionals can do today to contribute to its advancement and prepare for the jobs of the future.” There will also be discussions on health and education, with a focus on the latest advancements in the two sectors. Panelists will explore technological advancements that are behind health advancements and how education in Rwanda can promote the understanding and adoption of sustainable systems. Olivier Nduhungirehe, the State Minister in charge of East African Community in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, is also among the attendees. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
