Youth participation in legislative processes in Rwanda

On Saturday, 3^rd May 2014, Never Again Rwanda held a Youth Discussion Forum which brought together youths from different institutions and backgrounds to discuss and assess the engagement of Rwandan youth in the country’s legislation processes.

The forum which was held at the Hilltop Hotel was graced by Hon. Hon. Theobald Mporanyi (Member of Parliament in Rwanda),Mr. Dave Peterson- Senior Director of the Africa Program of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) among other dignitaries.

While addressing the participants, Dr. Joseph Nkurunziza, the co-founder and chair of Never Again Rwanda emphasized the importance of engagement between youth and legislators as a means of promoting effective policy formulation in the country adding that “One of the ways to get the youth involved in policy making and implementation is to create a strong platform in which they can be actively engaged with the parliamentarians and discuss on cross-cutting issues”

On his part and while addressing the same group, the Executive Director of Never Again Rwanda, Mr. Eric Mahoro, explained that the discussion aimed at empowering Rwandan youth with skills that would enable them to participate in democratic processes of the country.

“These discussions are signs of a democratic country, Never Again Rwanda organizes such discussion forums to empower youth with skills and ability of become participative citizens,” he said.

After the keynote addresses, the youth got a chance to give suggestions and debate on the matters of legislation and policy formulation processes in Rwanda.

The very active youthful audience showed a great interest in understanding the various legislation processes in the country and affirmed their commitment to participate in the processes through the available mechanisms and avenues that were lucidly explained by the flamboyant Member of Parliament and other facilitators, who elucidated the needfulness of youth participation in the legislation processes and how it servers to safeguard democracy and flourish development.

Key among issues raised, was the representation of youth in the Rwandan parliament. The youth raised concerns that while youth account for 61% of the Rwandan Population there were only two seats for youth representation.

But fronting a different perspective, Floriane Niyungeko a student in Huye and Burundian national, disagreed with the Rwandan participants stating categorically that focus should be put on the availability of mechanisms through which the youth can contribute in the legislation agenda and not necessarily representation in parliament. “You are lucky that you even have that representation.

I don’t think we have it in Burundi. Youth ideas are not only transmitted by youth, what is important is to look the best way you can share your views instead of spending all your time in social media”, she said with an assuring smile, to justify her line of argument.

Talking to the press, Richard Manzi, one among the 50 participants who participated in the discussion, said that his decision to take part in the forum was informed by his belief that the youth should play a key role in the development of the country as they constitute a large percentage of the population of the country. “What can happen if we sit behind and let our views die with us?  I thank Never Again Rwanda for having given us this platform. This is the beginning of our integration in the formulation of our policy”, he said.

Hon. Mporanyi Theobald in his closing remarks thanked Never Again Rwanda for having organized such an important event and further suggested that many more of these forums should be organized across the country to ensure that the views of all youth are put into consideration in all legislative procedures.

On their part the participants undertook to actively participate in legislation and policy issues to make the processes representative of all views for the betterment of Rwanda. Theobald also urged the youth to avoid taking time for baseless information but rather work to develop themselves and their country.

One of the participants, Karake Dorine, while voicing this assurance, described the forum as “a great opportunity” that we they got and concluded by a clarion call to all the youth- “and I believe that all the participants will be able to explain the legislation process and encourage other Rwandans to take part in policy formulation and implantation processes”, she said.

As they concluded the forum session, the participants made a suggestion to the government to actively involve the youth in its programs and activities, they also opined that the number of youth representatives (youth MPs) in the legislative assembly should be increased given the numerical expectations of the people they represent.

The  session unanimously agreed that the discussion forums be extended to the rural areas so that views from all the young people of Rwanda can be reflected in the policies that are adopted and implemented.

In their closing remarks Mr. David Peterson (NED) and Dr.Joseph Nkurunzina emphasized the importance of discussions at different levels stating that open discussions and meaningful dialogue between leaders and the people they represent are essential for governance and democracy.

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) supports the Youth Discussion Forum and has funded Never Again Rwanda since 2007.

“I commend the discussion forum and other similar platforms organized by NAR, these initiatives are vital for any Democracy to flourish.” Said Mr.Peterson, who spoke on behalf of NED. His statements were echoed by Dr.

Nkurunziza in his speech when he said “debating is an essential platform for knowledge sharing and Peace Building. By debating, the discussants get to appreciate diversity in opinions and viewpoints.”

He went further to note that “in the past, our Youth were manipulated by some ill-meaning politicians to rake havoc and to demolish the foundations of harmony that existed among us. But those days are gone, the days of hate mongering and misuse of our youthful energy have been sent into an eternal oblivion. These are new times, the time for us to reconstruct what was demolished and to build our society in Unity and understanding.”

UM– USEKE.RW