Undp in rwanda highlights 2012

RWANDA RESILIENT EMPOWERED

HIGHLIGHTS 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS Fight against poverty ………………………………………..…….. 3 Protection of the environment in Kigali ………………...…..….. 6 Strengthening Rwanda Media’s sector ………………..…….... 8 Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide ………………….…. 10 Preparing for elections ………………………………..…………. 11 Closure or Gacaca …………………………………….……….... 13 Capacity development for political parties ………………… 16 Disaster risk reduction in Rwanda ……………………………… 19 Celebration of Peace and Democracy ……………………… 20 UNDP’s Administrator visit to Rwanda ………………………… 23 The 2012 Development Journalism Awards …………………. 25 International Human Rights Law application in Rwanda…. 26

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Vestina Uwicyeza, Nyagatovu Village

(Photo: Elena Ganan – UNDP Rwanda)

FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY

“My family and I lived in abject poverty. We had nothing but a grass thatched house where we were subject to isolation”, says 44 year old Vestina Uwicyeza. Vestina lives with 2 of her children and 3 others belonging to her late sister who died in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. As the sole breadwinner of a family of 7, she is a proud example of the success story behind the integrated One UN development project in Nyagatovu model village.

The village is part of an integrated initiative implemented by the ministry of local government with financial and technical support from UNDP and other UN agencies.

The project was designed following lessons learnt from the Songhai agricultural model in Benin to re-settle Rwandans in a more conducive community environment taking into account environmental management and local governance enhancement.

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Consequently this village has been able to support 85 households such that every family in the village has a house of 3 bedrooms, a sitting room and a kitchen.

The kitchens are equipped with a biogas cooker and improved wood stove, which doesn’t require much firewood. Every household has a green kitchen garden fertilized by the waste from the biogas digester.

The families living in this village include widows, orphans and PL HIV/AIDS and upon resettlement, they are encouraged to form cooperatives depending on the type of economic activity to be undertaken.

Those that could keep the cows given by this project were identified with the help of a vet doctor.

He model village also has a greenhouse for tomatoes managed by the women’s cooperative. These tomatoes are sold and the profits shared amongst the members. The women have a common saving scheme. This green house feeds into the framework of food security alongside sustainable income for the families greenhouse for tomatoes managed by the women’s cooperative. These tomatoes are sold and

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(Photo: Elena Ganan – UNDP Rwanda)

The project then constructed a cow-shed with the capacity to accommodate 150 cows. Today the cowshed holds 70 cows. With the cooperative formed by the cow owners, each member is equally responsible for the cows. The milk is shared among the residents and the extra is sold. The cowshed has 2 tanks one for collection of rainwater and another for the cow dung and urine used to make biogas. This cow waste is fed into the Biogas digester constructed by the project.

A cowshed cooperative member looking after the cows

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the profits shared amongst the members. The women have a common saving scheme. This green house feeds into the framework of food security alongside sustainable income for the families.

With an infectious smile, Vestina recounts how her life has changed since the start of the project. “When we were told about the resettlement plans, we were very excited because we were joining a larger community where we could belong and have access to our leaders unlike before,” she says.

Looking around Vestina’s compound, it is easy to understand her excitement. It is difficult to compare the compound she lives in now with the idea of her in a grass thatched house with nothing.

She not only has the house with 3 bedrooms and a sitting room but also has electricity, a TV set and a modern cooking stove which does not use firewood as a measure to protect the

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environment. Asked how she amassed these things, with a touch of pride in her voice, she says she took a bold step to join all the cooperatives where many ideas were shared.

Enock Byabashaija, Coordinator of the project confirms the same.

According to him, Vestina is the most agile woman in the community, which explains why she has excelled thus far. She has 3 cows whose waste she uses as fertilizer, 91 chicken layers with a modern incubator to hatch the egg and has managed to supply 740 chicks to her fellow cooperative members in the village.

She uses the remaining land in her compound productively by planting fruit trees including mangoes and avocados. She also has a vegetable garden and is part of the green house co-operative of tomato growers where she is the chairperson.

With the proceeds of these initiatives, Vestina has been able to not only provide for her

family but has also seen her children through school.

Her 2 daughters, Devota and Emeline are at the University. “It gives me pride that my mother, a genocide survivor has achieved so much”, says Emeline, a student at the National University. Pursuing Biotechnology, Emeline Kamanzi maintains she is encouraged to study even harder because of her mother’s achievements. “The knowledge that my mother is self-sufficient and doing well back home gives me comfort” she says.

A few exchanges with this soft spoken mother, and it is clear why she is a success story and embodies the difference UNDP’s support is making in Rwanda towards enhancing sustainable development and fostering a resilient people.

It is indeed no surprise that her story has brought her visitors from a far including Rwandan President Paul Kagame, whose leadership she credits these initiatives.

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(Photo: Nausicaa Kantengwa – UNDP Rwanda)

PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN KIGALI Ms. Marisa Lago visiting the COOCEN project site.

On her visit to Rwanda, Ms. Marisa Lago, the Assistant Secretary for International Markets and Development to U.S. Treasury, visited a project funded by the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP). Ms. Béata Uwimpuhwe, the project coordinator, explained to Ms. Lago how the project was launched, how it benefits the members of the cooperative and how it is contributing to national environmental protection.

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The “Briquettes as an alternative to fuel wood and deforestation prevention” project located in Nyakabanda, Kigali, benefits 150 members of the cooperative COOCEN (Cooperative for Environment Protection).

The objectives of this project are to promote the use of an alternative energy source to the use of wood as a potential solution to address climate change and deforestation. With support from GEF/SGP, COOCEN produces

ecological briquettes and suitable cook stoves; and women from the cooperative conduct environment protection awareness raising activities in their own communities.

More than 80% of Rwandans rely on fire wood for cooking and heating, which contributes to deforestation within the country. In a bid to protect Rwanda’s environment, in 2007, the GEF/SGP, implemented by UNDP in

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Rwanda, supported a project implemented by the women cooperative, COOCEN which produces briquettes for cooking and heating. The briquettes are made from organic waste recycle from the garbage the project members collect in over 4,000,000 households in Kigali.

Testimony was given by one of the women beneficiaries of the project, Ms. Vestine Uwimana, 44 years, married mother of 5. She used to feed her family through street fruit hawking, which is considered illegal in Rwanda. Vestine started to work for COOCEN in 2002 and was protected from running away from the police and constantly losing her merchandise.

COOCEN briquettes

(Photo: Nausicaa Kantengwa– UNDP Rwanda)

The project was advantageous to her in many ways as it permitted her to feed her family, pay for her children’s school tuition, make savings and pay for her family’s health insurance. Just as the other beneficiaries, and provides for her work insurance.

After the visit to the project and Vestine's testimony, Ms. Lago was captivated by what she saw and heard. She was impressed by the resilience of the women, most of whom are widowers, by their hard work, and innovations. She stated that she found the project very inspiring for other communities to emulate.

Beneficiary making briquettes

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(Photo: UNDP Rwanda)

STRENGTHENING RWANDA’S MEDIA SECTOR

Journalist INTEKO Radio, Kigali

Ministers, Members of Parliament, Development Partners, Media practitioners and stakeholders from various fields, participated in a workshop on the new Media Development Index of Rwanda (MDI). The event was hosted by the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs (MINICAFF) and the Media High Council (MHC), through support from UNDP-Rwanda’s Inclusive Participation in Governance Programme (IPG).

A report by Transparency International-Rwanda was disseminated, illustrating the results from a pilot survey. Data collection tools of the MDI were tested. These tools are to be used in the second phase of the MDI, which was launched at the workshop, and consists of undertaking a national survey of the media sector, with provisional results expected to be ready by September 2012. “The pilot test was to test 2012 UNDP Annual Report

the tools that are to be used to undertake the national survey. What we have presented are the results of that test... we know that the tools are working ... that [they] are understandable, [and] ... that the indicators are covered,” Mr. Handa stated.

The MDI is to provide an on-going tool for capturing and assessing the media sector in Rwanda. It can prove to be a vital tool for driving the sector in the right direction, not only for journalists and media practitioners, but also for ”health professionals, policy makers and researchers,” as stated by the Chairman of MHC, Mr. Asiimwe. Moreover, it is 8

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The second phase of the MDI, the national survey, will aim to create this baseline, by showing the actual state of the Rwandan media sector and provide an index for comparison with other countries. “The results of the national survey will then ensure very clearly where Rwanda media is, and can be used to compare Rwanda with the international community,” Mr. Handa stated.

UNDP-Rwanda is highly committed to the development of the media sector in Rwanda, and has supported the development of the MDI from its initial phase. “It is with the aim to support the Government of Rwanda’s demonstrated commitment to media reform that this is now figuring prominently as a pillar in UNDP’s governance programme that aims at fostering inclusive participation,” UNDP’s Resident Representative, a.i., and Country Director, Mr. Lootsma said during his opening remarks. He further explained, “We have a commitment with the different players in the media; the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, the MHC, but also with ... the association of journalists in terms of self-regulation, and supporting the different tools and mechanisms to support the overall media sector reform.” A variety of challenges related to the media sector in Rwanda, such as information delivery mechanisms to reach people in rural areas, illiteracy rates and funding problems of the media houses were highlighted at the workshop.

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Respectively, a number of key areas for improvement and solutions to the existing challenges were discussed, in order to further develop the media sector and the MDI in the right direction.

(Photo: UNDP Rwanda)

to be used as a baseline for all stakeholders to continuously assess the state of the Rwandan media.

Future INTEKO Journalists being trained on media

The workshop proved to be an excellent platform for all participants to actively engage in a discussion of the further development of the MDI, as an important tool in the development of the Rwandan media sector. The hosts and participants agreed on the fact that media in Rwanda has come a long way after the 1994 genocide and the years following, but that a lot remains to be done. The MDI will provide vital tools to add value to what has already been done in the sector, and be an important instrument for transforming the media in Rwanda into a vibrant, competitive and professional sector.

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(Photo: Gisele Nyampinga – UNDP Rwanda)

COMMEMORATION OF THE 1994 GENOCIDE The ceremony started with a national choir’s songs performed in memory of the 63 UN staff members who perished during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis as their names were being pronounced by their colleagues.

The 18th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis was highly attended by all UN Staff

All UN Agencies operating in Rwanda joined Rwandans in commemorating for the 18th consecutive time the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis. The event which took place in the premises of UNDP-Rwanda was attended by heads of UN agencies, UN staff in Rwanda, and relatives and friends of regretted UN staff.

Organized every year by the UN Country team and One UN staff Federation committee, this ceremony is meant to deliver moral support to the families, friends and colleagues of those who have lost their lives over the course of the hundred days manslaughter against the Tutsis.

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On behalf of the UN, the UN Resident Coordinator a.i, Mr. Opia Mensah Kumah, conveyed his deep sympathy to the families of the former UN staff victims 1994. He also addressed other UN staff in Rwanda stating that it is a sad period for all of them as they remember friends and colleagues who started some of the tasks they have carried on today.

Mr. Kumah called upon all colleagues to be inspired by the theme of this year’s National Commemoration, “Learning from our History to build a bright future”, which he further explained should guide them in their achievements and support to Rwanda. That “As UN staff in Rwanda we must renew our commitment to support the country as it continues to learn from the past and seeks to forge a better environment where human rights are valued and all citizens live in harmony and peace”.

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The Executive Secretary of NEC, Mr Charles Munyaneza noted the training was meant to equip electoral officials with more knowledge on election processes and procedures. “You know, one

Traning National Electoral Commisision

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PREPARING FOR ELECTIONS

He further said that the National Electoral Commission (NEC) with support from the International community has come to be regarded as a competent Electoral Management Body very capable of organizing free, fair and credible elections. “I am confident that NEC will meet the international standards for the next parliamentary elections”, he added.

(Photo: Gisele Nyampinga - UNDP Rwanda

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the UNDP Country Director Mr. Auke Lootsma noted that the work covered during the three weeks BRIDGE session was critical for democracy in Rwanda in general and the 2013 Parliamentary elections in particular. “It is not enough for us to be confident that we are doing everything we can to make the system as safe as possible. The voters need to be confident as well and hence we have to take public concern seriously and where there are real vulnerabilities in the system, we need to tackle them. Making our electoral registration system more secure is one example of that”.

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(Photo: UNDP Rwanda)

of the responsibilities of the Electoral Commission is to conduct civic education programmes, to educate our people on how to conduct themselves during the elections and how to vote. So, it is in this regard we organised this workshop,” Munyaneza said.

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“What has been acquired during this training will no doubt go a long way in cementing our democracy and governance as an institution that has been charged with managing elections in this country”, he said. “We have been thinking of the way forward as the electoral commission and we aspire before the end of the financial year to hold similar trainings for our commissioners. We believe it is very important and vital that our commissioners get some basic technical skills in managing elections, especially because we are going to have new ones coming in so that these are better positioned to provide the necessary guidance, communication and political direction to our technical staff”, Munyaneza said. “It is also

our mission to continue increasing our accredited facilitators. Today two have been fully accredited and 15 semi-accredited but we wish to have at least 10 of them fully accredited before the end of the year and we are going to work towards that starting with this group here today”, he promised.

The Executive Secretary also revealed that NEC plans to roll out the training to the field staff and also for the election coordinator’s at village level such that half of NEC’s staff is trained by September next year. The aim is to have a training of trainers in order to spread the BRIDGE training across Rwanda as much as possible.

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(Photo: UNDP Rwanda )

CLOSURE OF GACACA

Gacaca: traditional justice system set up in 2001 to decongest the prison system after the Genocide in 1994

On 18th June 2012, Rwanda formally closed the Gacaca jurisdictions on the very day of its 10th anniversary. Gacaca proceedings opened in June 2002 as a response to the overwhelming backlog of Genocide-related cases and the severe overcrowding of the prison system. After a decade, it is fair to say that the Gacaca justice system delivered its intended objectives and provided a solution for the complex nature of the cases related to the 1994 genocide.

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During these 10 years, Gacaca jurisdictions have tried more than 1.9 million suspects. Far from being “mob” or “vigilante” justice, as many legal critics predicted, about 25% of Gacaca cases have resulted in acquittal.

Many prison sentences have been converted into community service, thereby facilitating the reintegration of detainees into society.

The Gacaca experience serves as a lesson for us all.

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For the last two decades, the international community has asserted the importance of fighting impunity for serious international crimes. While international efforts to end impunity first led to the establishment of international tribunals, the UN also recognized that national or “homegrown” initiatives should be supported, as they have a more direct and sustainable impact on affected populations.

Moreover, these initiatives, often referred to as Transitional Justice, are more cost effective and can more effectively contribute to unity, reconciliation, peace building as well as have a positive effect on broader justice reforms.

For the UN, transitional justice involves “the full range of processes and mechanisms associated with a society’s attempt to come to terms with a legacy of large-scale past abuses, in order to ensure accountability, serve justice, and achieve reconciliation”. As such, transitional justice is regarded as a critical component of the UN framework for strengthening the rule of law. The term “transitional justice” was first coined in the late 1980s,

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which saw the establishment of justice- related measures and processes designed to expose the truth about gross human rights abuses committed by former dictatorships in Latin America, such as in Argentina and Chile. The truth-seeking model was then adopted with some adjustments in South Africa, whose Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) received highlevel visibility and recognition. Today, truth and reconciliation processes have been conducted in over 30 countries around the world.

The United Nations has identified five core components of transitional justice, namely, prosecution initiatives, truth and reconciliation processes, reparations, institutional reform, and national consultations.

Each of these components should be seen as complementary to one another.

There is still an ongoing debate about the relative value and integration of each of these mechanisms, which, to some extent also reflects the two main normative strands underpinning transitional justice, that is; individual accountability in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian law standards, on the one hand, and reconciliation and the capacity of a society to overcome a legacy of conflict and abuse, on the other. Efforts to address the legacy of past crimes should be viewed as one of the core components of conflict recovery, peace building, and democratic governance strategies. More fundamentally, both transitional justice and development processes often seek to address the root causes of conflict and violence, which often lie in economic, social, cultural exclusion, discrimination and injustice. In other words, from UNDP’s perspective, transitional justice can help build peace, stability, and respect for human rights, all of which are key to human and sustainable development.

The Gacaca process in Rwanda played a key role in advancing peace, stability and reconciliation. Not only did it address the enormous backlog of genocide-related cases and contribute to

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reducing prison overcrowding, but also certainly contributed to peace and reconciliation. UNDP has been a strong supporter of Gacaca throughout the process. UNDP provided US$ 1.6 million to the Service National des Jurisdictions Gacaca for manuals, trainings, advocacy, and documentation of important lessons learned during Gacaca process.

Even more importantly, it will also be a reminder to future generations to never let it happen again.

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(Photo: Jean de Dieu Kayiranga - UNDP Rwanda )

It is important to record and disseminate the lessons learned from this unique process globally. It is equally important, however, to preserve the enormous volumes of rich and diverse repository historical material gathered through the Gacaca process. The creation of the Gacaca Documentation Centre in Kigali will be one of the largest archives concerning a mass crime anywhere in the world and will be an invaluable resource for Rwandans and foreigners alike.

Genocide suspects being tried in the Gacaca court.

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CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL PARTIES

(Photo: Nausicaa Kantengwa– UNDP Rwanda)

UNDP has supported the capacity development of political parties in Rwanda, particularly that of aspiring future leaders by supporting the National Forum for Political Parties (NFPO), a platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas among political organizations.

A number of capacity building initiatives were carried out in all provinces through the Youth Political Leadership Academy training the youth on theories of political Ideology, party functioning and development, public policy to practices on political communication and social networking for party expansion.

Students graduate from the Youth Political Leadership Academy training courses

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According to the latest Project Report, The process to foster future leaders culminated into a total of 227 graduates among them 50% women 16

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graduating in 2012 from the leadership academy compared to 107 graduates in 2011 including 45% of women. The national forum also organized trainings in communication skills (including IT) with web site management for political party leaders.

A total of 32 participants from the 10 Political Organizations, including some members of the NFPO Communication and Political Dialogue Committee were trained.

On 14th July, 2012, the NFPO held a graduation ceremony for participants from Kigali and the Western Province.

These participants were part of a group of young leaders to benefit from the 5th training session held at the Youth Political Leadership Academy (YPLA).

This academy provides a training program designed for youth aspirants under 35 years. Each political party appoints four representatives (2 men and 2 women) from the 10 registered political organizations in Rwanda to attend the program.

The participants are selected by

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each political party on the basis of the academic requirements set up by NFPO such as possessing the academic level to enable them follow the courses and participate effectively during the debates and discussions. The trainers on the other hand are recruited with emphasis on experience in political sciences and research.

The participants to the 5th session covered theories and practices to party development, the art of political speech and the use of social media and networking in politics.

160 participants graduated this July having fulfilled all the requirements based on the YPLA regulations. The Guest speaker, Dr. Mukabaramba Alivera said the Youth Political Leadership Academy was a beneficial program aimed at building the leadership capacity of political parties especially the youth and as such it would continue running every year. She then called upon the youth to uphold the truth.

ceremony, the Executive Secretary of NFPO Mr. Kayigema Anicet, made a presentation on the functions of the organisation and congratulated the graduates upon accomplishing the milestone. He asked them to utilise the knowledge acquired to benefit their respective political parties. The National Consultative Forum of Political Organizations is officially recognized in Rwanda as a platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas among political organizations on the country’s problems and national policies. It is also a permanent framework for capacity building for member political organizations in the field of political organization and activities, and is also used as a framework for conflict mediation and for the promotion of the code of conduct which should characterize the political leadership in Rwanda.

Before the conclusion of the

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(Photo: Dennis Rugege– UNDP Rwanda)

Heavy rains causing floods in the area of Kabaya, Musanze District

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Over the last decades, Rwanda witnessed a number of natural and man-induced disasters that culminated into the loss of lives and property and the displacement of people. The frequency and intensity of natural hazard– induced disasters, particularly floods and droughts, have significantly increased over the last few years.

In 2012, Rwanda experienced abnormal heavy rains between January and May. The average of rainfall increased from 40–70 mm in 2011 to 80–115mm in 2012 for the same period. This resulted in floods, landslides and in the destruction of public infrastructure and people’s properties. From January to May 2012, 32 people died because of these rains, 1434 houses, 11 roads, 4 bridges as well as 3 dykes have been destroyed, 2227 ha of crops have been washed away and 25 schools have been destroyed or seriously affected.

The Government of Rwanda made considerable efforts in the last few years to address the issue of disasters. It now considers Disaster Risk Reduction as a top priority as it is reflected in its upcoming second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS 2013-2018) where Disaster Risk Reduction is considered as a cross-cutting issue to be mainstreamed in all ministries.

UNDP Rwanda mobilized US$ 700.000 from the ACP-EU Natural Disaster Risk Reduction Program

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DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN RWANDA

to support the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR) in the development of comprehensive disaster risk profiles in Rwanda. The main objective of the program is to address prevention, mitigation and preparedness to natural hazards as part of a global Disaster Risk Reduction effort.

Over a period of 2 years, UNDP will provide technical assistance and capacity development support to MIDIMAR to set up an Evidence-based Comprehensive National Disaster Risk Analysis. The project will address the lack of knowledge and information about the different disaster risks.

It will help the Government of Rwanda to better design targeted and contextualized risk reduction and adaptation programmes.

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(Photo: Nausicaa Kantengwa– UNDP Rwanda)

CELEBRATION OF PEACE AND DEMOCRACY DAYS

Members of the Parliament during the opening ceremony

To mark the International Day of Democracy and the International Peace Day, UNDP and its IPG partners came together to celebrate these two days in a weeklong series of activities, under the theme dubbed “Dialogue and Inclusiveness: Central to Democracy and Sustainable Peace”.

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The UN International Day of Democracy is celebrated every year world over on the 15th September to encourage governments to strengthen national programmes devoted to the promotion and consolidation of democracy whilst International Day of Peace is equally celebrated on the 21st September to strengthen the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples. The chosen theme focused on the role of the youth in achieving both peace and democracy. This was in line with the UN Secretary-General’s

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statement during last democracy celebrations he encouraged double to support the youth as of democracy.

year’s where efforts drivers

14th September 2012 was the official launch of the Peace and Democracy Week in Parliament bringing together members of the 2 chambers of Parliament, senior government officials, civil society actors and development partners. In his opening remarks, the President of the Senate, Ntawukuliryayo J. Damascène said “democracy has to take into account domestic cultural and historical background of each and every country notwithstanding the universal principals of democracy”.

“We cannot preach practices of democracy if social welfare challenges still lingers,” he added. While the Speaker of the Lower Chambers Rose Mukantabana maintained democracy that takes into account the will of its people is the real democracy.

Also speaking at the launch, Dr. Amata Diabate who was

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representing UNDP reiterated the organisation’s commitment to continue working with the Government of Rwanda to foster inclusive participation and strengthen the political processes with the purpose of increasing informed and pluralistic participation.

She pointed out that one such strategy has been through the current IPG Programme.

Following the launch, the next week was characterized by policy dialogue sessions targeting the youth in order to encourage them to take on the responsibility of entrenching sustainable democracy and a peaceful future for generations to come. These were organized

by Rwanda Governance Board as the government body mandated to promote good governance and dialogue.

These sessions of dialogue and debates on peace and democracy were held in 7 high institutions of learning across Rwanda and a one day session with faith based organizations.

Some of the learning institutions visited include: RTUC (Rubavu Campus), Nyagatare Nursing

Mrs. Amata Diabate, Senior Economist Adviser representing UNDP

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(Photo: Nausicaa Kantengwa– UNDP Rwanda)

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College, Kavumu College of Education (Muhanga), INES (Musanze), SFB, Rukara College of Education (Kayonza) and the National University of Rwanda (Huye).

The closing ceremony, coinciding with the International Peace Day on the 21st September was characterized by reflections on the week, a peace banquet, performances from different artists and exhibitions by actors for peace. The likes of Kizito Mihigo and Sgt Hakizayesu graced the day with performances singing messages of peace and democracy. Speaking at this ceremony, the UNDP Country Director, Auke

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(Photo: Nausicaa Kantengwa– UNDP Rwanda)

The dialogues were in an attempt to bridge the gap between the current and the future leaders where members of Parliament shared knowledge and expertise on the history and democracy of Rwanda and debated on current democratic processes.

The MP’s and participants also discussed best practices of successful democracies and comparisons were made between various these and Rwanda. Speaking at one such dialogue, Hon. Nyandwi Desire gave an example of how democracy works. “As a representative of the people, I listen to their wishes and challenges, discuss these in parliament and we find solutions. This is how democracy works”, he said.

Members of the Parliament during the opening ceremony

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UNDP ADMINISTRATOR’S VISIT TO RWANDA

During her visit to the Parliament, she met with the Speaker of the Lower Chamber of Deputies, visited the parliamentary radio and had the opportunity to speak with

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(Photo: Helen During – UNDP)

On the 30th October, 2012 the UNDP Administrator visited the Rwandan Parliament. Ms. Helen Clark was in Rwanda on a two day mission to meet government officials including President Paul Kagame, development partners, civil society actors and members of the diplomatic corps. She was also attending the African Economic Conference which Rwanda was hosting for the first time.

The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Ms. Rose Mukantabana with UNDP’s Administrator, Helen Clark

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Speaking in Parliament, she commended Rwanda’s tremendous efforts in ratifying international conventions and passing laws that give women equal rights which most women in other parts of the world are fighting for. She further observed that Rwanda’s Parliament is a best practice example acknowledging the fact that Rwanda is known throughout the world for having the biggest number of women in

Parliament which shows women are key to the transformation of the country. The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies expressed gratitude for UNDP’s friendship, cooperation and partnership that has existed between it and parliament over the years especially with the Rwanda Women Parliamentary Forum.

Over the years, UNDP has supported the Rwandan Parliament to undertake effective legislative drafting, executive oversight and strengthen citizen representation and participation.

Through the IPG Programme, UNDP has also established the

UNDP’s Administrator, Helen Clark being interview by INTEKO Journalists

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Parliament Radio to increase citizen participation, promote accountability and transparency.

During an interview on the radio Inteko, Ms Helen Clark noted that the Parliamentary radio is crucial in reaching out to the ordinary Rwandans and provides a very important service.

She further pointed out that the radio helps keep MP’s accountable given they are heard directly and the constituents are able to get more information. The visit provided an opportunity to reiterate UNDP’s willingness to build on the existing partnership and strengthen even further Parliament UNDP collaboration.

(Photo: Helen During – UNDP)

the Rwanda Women Parliamentary Forum (RWPF) to discuss among other things, the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

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DEVELOPMENT JOURNALISM AWARDS 2012

Nine Rwandan journalists were awarded the first Development Journalism Awards. They were chosen out of a pool of 38 nominees from public and private media outlets who participated in the competition organized by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB). “Media is a key ingredient to good governance, national development, and accountability… these awards are an entry point to the strengthening of the media sector” said Prof. Anastase Shyaka, CEO of RGB.

UN Resident Coordinator Lamin Manneh awarding the winner of the Development Journalism Award Mr. Etienne Gatanazi

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(Photo: Nausicaa Kantengwa– UNDP Rwanda)

“The recent analysis in the area of democracy shows that in order for democracy to take place in Africa it has to be grounded in the realities of the individual nations” said Mr. Lamin Manneh, Resident Coordinator of the UN in Rwanda. Mr. Manneh recognized the progress made by Rwanda in the areas of peace and reconciliation, restoration of law and order, and democracy and said that “the awards show the recognition of the great work done by practicing journalists in promoting social, economic, and political progress in Rwanda”.

The awards were grouped under six categories: sports award, gender award, lifestyle award, green award, business award, investigative award, and excellence award. Mr. Manneh granted the green award to Mr. Etienne Gatanazi, a broadcasting journalist from ORINFOR. The awards are an initiative of RGB, and they are sponsored by UNDPRwanda. The aim of organizing this annual event is to strengthen media development in Rwanda, through providing motivation to practicing journalists to increase professional passion. Some of the expected outputs of the awards are: (1) to improve the quality of media products; (2) to increase competition on writing best stories; (3) To enhance editorial support to reporters, as the media outlets will want their own staff to stand out; (4) To boost the media sector’s ability to attract and retain good human resources; and (5) To upgrade journalism standards, to enhance the reputation of the profession, and to reduce the occurrence rate of unethical and unprofessional journalism.

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INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW APPLICATION IN RWANDA The training relates to the recommendations of the UN Human Rights Council as a result of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). In 2011, Rwanda was subjected to the UPR. Under the auspices of the Human Rights Council, the UPR is conducted regularly by peer states to view the human rights situation in a particular country. Out of the 73 recommendations, Rwanda has accepted 67, amongst which key ones related to the independence of the judiciary, the pursuit of the justice system reform and universal access to justice

(Photo: Nausicaa Kantengwa– UNDP Rwanda)

During two day in January 2013, 38 Rwandan judges and registrars from Intermediate and Primary Courts were trained on the application of the International Human Rights law, international standards for the administration of justice and international guarantees on the independence of the judiciaries. The workshop was organized by the One UN Rwanda in collaboration with the Supreme Court and the Institute for Legal Practice and Development (ILPD), aiming at increasing the participants’ knowledge on international Human Rights conventions and international guarantees for Human Rights.

38 Rwandan Judges were trained on the application of the International Human Rights Law in national courts

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The One UN Rwanda supported the Government of Rwanda in developing a roadmap guiding the implementation of the UPR recommendations, which includes the need to train judges, prosecutors and judicial personnel on International Human Rights law.

“The Rwandan Constitution makes it an obligation for all the judiciary to be the guardians of the Human rights of people, to ensure that those rights are observed, and enforced. It is therefore very important that we, as judges, understand the nature of Human rights, whether under our constitution and our laws or under international laws, as expressed in the international conventions” stated Hon. Dr. Sam Rugege, the President of the Supreme Court in his opening remarks.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on behalf of the organizers, Mr. Chris Mburu, Human Rights Advisor to the UN

2012 UNDP Annual Report

Rwanda (United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights) explained that “the UN is the custodian of these international conventions and treaties, and we are very keen to have countries that are member states of the UN apply these principles in their judiciary systems”.

Mr. Mburu further said that this is the 1st in a series of trainings that are going to be held around the country. With the support of UNDP this flagship program of the One UN Rwanda will build the capacity of more than 400 judges and registrars around the country on the domestication of International law of Human Rights Ms. Madeleine Nirere, Chairperson of the National Commission for Human Rights, commended UNDP for its support to the Country’s Judiciary Sector, and emphasized the importance of enhancing judges’ knowledge on the International Human Rights norms.

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In his remarks, the Country Director of UNDP, Mr. Auke Lootsma, pointed out that “access to Justice for all and the skills of judicial personnel is at the heart of this strategy in order to guarantee protection of everyone’s rights”.

The participants observed that Human Rights are well respected in Rwandan courts, as there are principles from the Constitution, by which judges must abide for fair trials. However, the current challenge is to look for the best method to implement them.

With this training “we hope to conduct a critical evaluation, to hear what the experts think of our system. We will also conduct a self-assessment to see if what they say is what we apply in our courts, and to compare our level with what is mandatory in the ` international Human rights law” said Ms. Kiza Fabienne Kabagambe, the Presiding Judge of Muhanga High Court, in the Southern Province of Rwanda.

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(Photo: UNDP Rwanda)

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(Photo: Gisele Nyampinga UNDP Rwanda

UNDP in Rwanda

12 Avenue de l’Arme, PO Box 445 Kigali, Rwanda

www.rw.undp.org

2012 UNDP Annual Report

For more information: UNDP Communication Unit Gisele Nyampinga Gisele.nyampinga@undp.org Elena Ganan, Elena.ganan@undp.org 30 Nausicaa Habimana Kantengwa, nausicaa.kantengwa@undp.org