Thousands of Rwandans Descend on Atlanta to Meet President Kagame

ATLANTA, Sept. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Over 3,000 Rwandans living in North America are travelling to Atlanta, Georgia (USA) this week to meet their leader President Paul Kagame, during the sixth edition of Rwanda Day, on September 19-20.

Former US President Bill Clinton, US lawmakers and celebrities have also been invited to the event. American civil rights activist Rev.Jesse Jackson graced a similar event in Chicago, back in 2011.

President Kagame will be keynote speaker, highlight the country’s progress and interact with the Diaspora. Youth employment and entrepreneurship will also be discussed. Rwanda has set a target of creating 200,000 new jobs every year – up from about 100,000.

400 business executives from Rwanda will showcase local products and share success stories.  Angelique Karekezi, the Director of RWASHOSCCO, a Maraba premium coffee exporter, will exhibit roasted and green coffee to attract Rwandan suppliers.  Kigali City will showcase the city’s master plan to attract real estate investors. The housing sector alone needs thousands of new units every year. Remittances from Rwanda’s Diaspora increased from $25 million to $115 million in 2006-2013 as a result of mobilization of the diaspora. Central Bank Governor John Rwangombwa said a large portion of the remittances go into construction.

The One Dollar Project built a $3 million 4-storey hostel in Kigali for 190 genocide orphans.

Following similar previous Rwanda Day events, investors rushed into the country with investments in housing, banking and the stock market.

Every Rwanda Day event carries a theme. This year’s theme is ‘Agaciro’ (Dignity): Our Choice. Participants are expected to discuss howRwanda can work with the rest of the world to promote dignity. Already, on Twitter and Facebook, campaigns with the hashtag #Twahisemo (We chose) are trending. The campaign urges Rwandans to “Join Rwanda’s journey: 20 years with 3 choices. Staying Together, Being Accountable, and Thinking Big.” This involved opinion leaders, politicians, artists and ordinary citizens posting photos with message of what these choices mean for them.

The first Rwanda Day was held from Chicago in US, in June 2011 – followed by Paris–September 2011. In September 2012, the event returned to Boston, US. Last year, the event was held in London, UK and Toronto, Canada in May and September respectively.

Local Pop stars are usually invited to entertain participants.

PR Newswire 

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