Archive for the ‘Diaspora News’ Category
July will be exciting…RDCE2011
Work is under way behind the scenes as we plan and organise RDCE2011
Rwandan Diaspora Convention Europe 2011
A 3-day event (22- 24 July’11) hosted by the Rwandese Community Association in the UK.
It aims to bring together Rwandans and friends of Rwanda from across the United Kingdom (UK) and
Europe to discuss their shared interests, build lasting networks, share business ideas and opportunities in
Rwanda and the East African region, as well as provide opportunities to build community links and
networks to facilitate working together. The event will be marked by business roundtables, investment conferences
and workshops, cultural evenings, youth events and much more.
For more information on Accommodation, Transportation, Convention Programme and how to be involved with the event please email: rwandaconvention@gmail.com
Or call Alex Ntale on: 07912227898
Rwanda Diaspora House Project
Rwanda Diaspora House – UK Project
By Jonathan Kalisa Kalemera, Chairman, RDH Project Taskforce
Our community has grown rapidly in number over the last few years. However, we all recognise that if we want to grow in strength then we need to do more things that develop us than we are doing at the moment. We have a lot of talented people among us who can share their talents and we can attract some more. However, we cannot do this if we have no place where we can meet regularly.
A few months ago at a community barbecue we agreed that we should work to get ourselves a place where we can meet and also carry our social, educational and economic activities. We would do this by getting contributions. Effectively everyone who contributes would be recognised by having their name written on the wall of the hall. They could also have a name of a loved one also written on the memory wall, perhaps as a memorial. As we are looking for around £500,000 we are seeking a minimum contribution of £150 per name.
This is an exciting opportunity to take a bold step which many other African Communities have already taken and we hope that you will give your support to this.
If you want to know more about our mission, vision and objectives please see below.
Mission:
To create a hub for the Rwandan Community in order to create and support a cohesive and dynamic community that is well integrated in the UK society in order to develop its members culturally, socially, educationally and economically.
Vision:
The Rwandan Community having a centre in which it can hold events, develop programmes for all ages that create a self-confident community that is connected with Rwanda and plays its full part in the greater UK community and internationally.
Objectives:
To find and acquire a property for the Rwanda community with the following characteristics:
1. Size – to accommodate 500 people with offices & convertible into room space.
2. Location – London
3. Type of tenure – At lease 10 years lease.
4. Estimated cost – Approximately £500,000.
To ensure that the centre will provide a variety of events and activities including:
1. National events
2. Training including: language training (Kinyarwanda, English), Kinyarwanda dancing.
3. Lectures and seminars (including Rwanda history and culture awareness).
4. Hire for weddings, etc.
5. Health campaigns
6. A permanent exhibition of Rwanda products for export.
7. Host welfare campaigns
8. Host fitness training e.g. yoga, martial arts, etc.
9. Information and drop-in centre.
10. Translation services.
11. As a point of reference for any research on Rwandan issues.
12. Fundraising events.
13. Fashion and other shows.
Your support of this project will be very welcome and appreciated.
Africa United Movie to premier on Oct 17
Africa United – The Movie (2010) AFRICA UNITED tells the extraordinary story of three Rwandan children and their bid to achieve their ultimate dream – to take part in the opening ceremony of the 2010 Football World Cup in Johannesburg. On the way to the vital selection trial, disaster strikes when Fabrice, Dudu and Beatrice board the wrong bus and cross into the Congo. Without papers, money or a believable story, they are escort…ed to a children’s refugee camp. But with considerable ingenuity and sass (and a World Cup wall chart for a map), our pint-sized heroes escape the camp and set off in pursuit of their dream, picking up along the way a “dream team” of displaced kids, who help them negotiate a series of thrilling and hilarious adventures. During their 3000 mile journey, we encounter an Africa few people ever see; experience an epic adventure across seven countries; and feel the joy, laughter and hope that comes from making an incredible journey together. AFRICA UNITED is a dramatic, heartfelt and enchanting story set to enthral family audiences worldwide. IN CINEMAS NATIONWIDE OCTOBER 22See more
Africa United The Movie Premier
Location:40 Odeon West End, Leicester Square London WC2H 7LP
Time:Sunday, 17 October 2010 14:00
Diaspora remittances to strengthen our economy
Editorial:
Diaspora remittances to strengthen our economy
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Money sent home by Rwandans living in the Diaspora has significantly increased with recent figures putting the total in remittances last year at 23.2 percent, despite the negative impact of the global recession.
Remittances have been increasing since 2005 from$42.85million to $139.89 million in 2008, accelerating further to reach $172.40 million last year, statistics from the Diaspora General Directorate under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicate.
Like Rwanda, each year, millions of other Africans living in Diaspora send billions of dollars in remittances to friends and family members in their countries.
These remittances have become a key foreign exchange earner for Africa. However, the remittances should put to meaningful use if they are going to benefit the larger society.
Last year, the Rwandan Diaspora together with the National Bank of Rwanda (NBR) announced that they had finalized plans to establish an investment fund – the Rwandan Diaspora Mutual Fund (RDMF) which was adopted by the 2008 Diaspora Retreat.
Mutual Fund will be invested in treasury bonds, guaranteed by NBR and at a later stage the interest gained from the bonds will be invested in higher risk products such as corporate. This is a beautiful idea but those in charge should walk the talk.
Africa still has the largest proportion of people suffering from chronic hunger with the highest population of the undernourished. This is despite the continent’s rich endowment in both human capital and natural resources.
Though it’s self evident that increase in remittances is due to trust and confidence Rwandans in Diaspora have in the government, putting in place conditions like reduced cost of remittances, softening transfer regulations at both ends of the chain, sensitizing financial operators on the market potential or directing Diaspora where to invest with quick returns will surely increase remittances flow and spur direct investment.
Rwandan Diaspora to vote on August 8
Dear Rwandans in Diaspora,
Massamba to perform at Summer Get Together 2010 in London
Rwandans in the UK will hold their annual summer get together in London on July 4th, 2010, to coincide with Rwanda’s National Day celebration. The event will take at its birthplace where it has been held since 2005, the London Irish Centre in Camden Town, 50-52 Camden Square, London NW1 9XB.
According to the Rwandan Community Chairman Ignatius Mugabo, the 2010 event is different from previous years’ events, since it’s the first following Rwanda’s admission to the Commonwealth group of Nations. “We will be celebrating being part of the Commonwealth family, and our brothers and sisters from other Commonwealth nations will be invited” he says. The 2010 event is also unique because, alongside UK-based Rwandan traditional dancers will perform Rwanda-based renown artist Intore Massamba, the first time an artist has been invited to this event from outside the UK. ” We wanted to make it more exciting and entertaining” says Ignatius.
Rwandans in Birmingham commemorate ’94 Genocide
By Rose Ingabire
The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was not an accident of history but rather a well conceived, planned and meticulously executed act of the state machinery that had military and political power to mobilise mass murder.
This observation was made by Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the UK, Ernest Rwamucyo, in his speech during one of the series of events organised to mark the 16th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi in the United Kingdom.
Please follow this link for the full story: http://www.newtimes.co.rw/index.php?issue=14229&article=27995
16th Genocide Commemoration Program-UK
The Rwandan Community in the United Kingdom and friends of Rwanda will this April join fellow Rwandans and friends of Rwanda worldwide to commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
This year, the commemoration will highlight the challenges of managing trauma resulting from the tragic genocide, captured by the theme:
“let us commemorate the Genocide against the Tutsi by continuing to combine efforts in managing trauma”.
Commemoration events kick off in London on Wednesday 7th of April 2010, at Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, London SE1 9DA, at 2pm.Other confirmed events:
West Midlands: Saturday 10th April, 3pm, at The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, B6 4UU, Birmingham.
Newcastle and North East of England: Thursday 15th April, 4pm, at Pandon Suite, Committee Room, Civic Centre, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 8PN.
London: Saturday 17th April, 1pm, Amnesty International UK, The Human Rights Action Centre, 17-23 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 2EA.
Details of events in Oxford, Reading, Manchester and other areas will be communicated as they become available.
The Rwandese Community Association (UK) requests you all to attend these events or organise your own in your localities.
Ignatius MUGABO
Chairman,
Diaspora to award best performers
| By Charles Kwizera | |
| KIGALI - Rwandans living in US and Canada are set to recognize outstanding Rwandans and friends of Rwanda who have played a significant role in the development of their country.
The awards have been organised by the Rwanda Convention Association (RCA), brings together Rwandans living in North America. In an exclusive interview with The New Times yesterday, the Director General of Rwanda Diaspora Directorate, Robert Masozera, confirmed the news and revealed that the awards will be presented in five different categories. “It is true that RCA will be holding the ceremony and the nomination for the different categories are in progress to determine who deserves the awards,” he said. According to RCA president, Urusaro Bakuramutsa, the awards also aim to recognize Rwandans and Friends of Rwanda who have helped bring Rwandan awareness within the international community through investment, humanitarian work, specific craft, and or youth development. “The development of Rwanda has been led by both Rwandans in Rwanda, and those in Diaspora. Consequently, RCA takes pride in recognizing efforts of those who aid to promote the rebuilding of a new united and strong Rwanda,” Urusaro said. The five categories up for nomination include; RCA investor award; Youth award, artist award and the Friend of Rwanda award which will be given to a non-Rwandan based in North America who has been active in the promotion of Rwandan culture and history, and also in the promotion of investment in Rwanda. There is also the Humanitarian Award which goes to a person who has dedicated their efforts to the promotion of social welfare and community development. The award giving ceremony will take place during the 2010 RCA convention in Boston, scheduled for May 28 to 31. Rwanda Convention 2010 will be the platform for what according to the RCA website is called the “New Age of Rwanda”. “2010 brings an era where the Diaspora and the international community can play a big role in the development of Rwanda. As we move into a new era where investment, capacity building, and good governance is the leading plight in Africa, and especially Rwanda,” says the statement on the website. The goal of 2010 convention is to provide a professional networking environment where both the Diaspora and foreign investors can partner in the rebuilding of a new strong East Africa. Reported by The New Times |