For many Rwandans in the Diaspora and within the country, all roads today lead to Bonn, Germany, for yet another edition of Rwanda Day. Nothing whips up excitement especially for the Diaspora than meeting Rwandans from all corners of the world and getting up to date with happenings at home. The country’s top leadership is at hand to explain the current policies and developments as well as the challenges. It is more or less like the National Dialogue only that this time it travels out of the country. The ten previous editions have alternated between Europe and North America in cities that have a sizeable number of Rwandans, but it is yet to be held on the African continent. Rwanda Day builds and strengthens bonds; it is one big party to celebrate Rwanda’s rebirth, and this year’s theme “Rwanda 25: Owning our future” sums it all up. The country will not be able to sustain its achievements if it leaves some people behind; they all have to move in tandem. One sure thing Rwanda Day has been able to achieve is enticing young professionals in the Diaspora to come back home and share their skills. Even today in Bonn, a special feature; “Career Corner” aims at doing exactly that. Some of the country’s major firms will be at hand to head-hunt and also display opportunities back home. But the highlight, of course, will be interacting with President Kagame and other senior leaders. Most people leave Rwanda Day renewed; some equate it with charging batteries. But at the end of the day Rwanda Day becomes a melting pot of ideas, many of which have been based on in rebuilding this country.
