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November 1, 2008

Don’t let Hate Live, say the Children of Rwanda

Dear friends,

November is usually a very busy period of the year for us. It is a time when UNICEF with its partners is busy with programme review meetings to assess whether our goals and objectives were achieved. It is a time when we learn more about constraints and challenges faced in the course of the implementation of our action plans. There are always lessons to be learnt from and best practices that can help us in the next planning cycle to achieve the best possible results for children.

In addition, during the month of November, many events that focus on children’s rights, advocacy, social mobilisation and the promotion of the participation and voice of children take place. I’ll mention two main events on the agenda here in Rwanda: the National Children’s Summit and the National Paediatric Conference of Children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. Let me tell you more about this year’s National Children Summit where children participated, expressed their views and made recommendations to the government and other development partners. The children’s message was addressed to the entire population of Rwanda.

416 Children were elected by children throughout the country to represent them in the National Children Summit. Each sector of Rwanda was represented. The topic was chosen by children themselves during their preparation meeting. They planned, organized, coordinated and led all activities during the summit. I was present with colleagues and partners as we witnessed all the hard work done by these children and their lovely creation. The slogan was “YES WE CAN”.

My week was marked by joy, experiment, discovery and learning from the children during the preparation process and the National Summit itself. I would like to share with you other people’s impressions, comments and what the children stated in the article below.

Don’t let Hate Live, say the Children of Rwanda

Kigali, Rwanda, 11 November 2008 – At the Fourth Annual Children’s Summit, attended by the nation’s highest leadership, the children of Rwanda re-emphasized to their leaders the importance of eradicating a lingering genocide ideology in the country.

“We need to stop people perpetuating anything other than peace” said Batunghe Jean Claude, a child participant at the Summit. “We need to work in partnership with our leaders and sensitize other children about peace.”

The Children’s Summit, organized by the Government, with support from UNICEF, has been a landmark event for the children of Rwanda. Held first in 2004, on the 10th commemoration of the 1994 genocide, successive children’s summits have been able to integrate children’s recommendations into the country’s Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy and the work of the Unity and Reconciliation Commission.

Attending this year’s summit were 416 delegates, aged 10-16, from each sector of Rwanda. Elected by their peers, these children forged on the nation’s capital for three-days to discuss the progress they feel has been achieved for children since 2004, the consequences of a lingering genocide Ideology in the country and how this impacts on their lives.

“We make up 52% of the population,” said a delegation of children at the Summit. “So our views matter. We would like to create anti-crime and anti-genocide clubs both within and outside of our schools. We would like those children who want to learn about the events of 1994 to visit memorial sites and most importantly we would like your help in helping us create tools to build a culture of peace,” they added.

"We believe in building a nation where rights are respected. We also believe in children's rights to participation as key to influence all decisions regarding their wellbeing,” reiterated Jeanne d'Arc Mujawamariya, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office in charge of Gender and Family Promotion. “Rwanda's children have a voice and their views are valued and incorporated in all government strategies,” she added.

“This is the second time I have had the privilege of attending this summit,” said Joseph Foumbi, UNICEF Representative to Rwanda. “And what impresses me is the thought and diligence with which children have suggested courses of action. I learn something every time I attend this Summit and it is a good practice for those of us in leadership positions to take children’s views into account. After all, we cannot build a world fit for children, unless we integrate their concerns.” he added.