The event's focus was on empowering the youth to take an active role in governance, aligning with Rwanda's Second National Strategy for Transformation, which highlights the critical importance of youth in decision-making and leadership.
With the theme, "Our Voice, Our Participation, Right Now," the dialogue emphasised youth engagement not only as a governance priority but also as a fundamental human right.
Organised by Citizen Voice and Actions Rwanda, the event brought together a diverse group of youth leaders, including students, entrepreneurs, and civil society representatives, to discuss the role of youth in governance and explore strategies for greater involvement in national development.
As Rwanda continues its journey of transformation, the 7th Youth Policy Dialogue stands out as a pivotal platform for amplifying the voices of young people in governance and leadership.
The dialogue underscored that youth participation is not just a governance priority, but a human right.
Participants, including students and entrepreneurs, shared experiences, discussed challenges, and proposed solutions for fostering national development. Interviews with attendees revealed a shared passion for taking immediate action and ensuring inclusivity, especially bridging the gap between urban and rural youth.
The dialogue also focused on the significance of youth participation in shaping Rwanda's future. With youth aged 16 to 30 making up 27% of the population, attendees stressed that this demographic represents the backbone of the nation.
Real-world examples of youth leadership illustrated the tangible impact being made. Najimah Umutoni, a student at Kepler College, shared her initiative to establish "girls' rooms" in Kigali high schools, providing private spaces for female students dealing with health issues.
"I initiated the girls' room project after realising that many high schools lacked such spaces, and now many schools have adopted the idea," she shared.
Robeni Mawuwa, the executive director of an organisation focused on youth empowerment, highlighted youth-led civil society organisations that empower women and teen mothers.
"Our work focuses on uplifting vulnerable groups, especially women and young mothers," she noted.
Salama Umutoni, a social entrepreneur in agriculture, stressed her commitment to employing fellow youth and aligning her work with national policies. "Whenever I create employment opportunities, I prioritise hiring youth," she said.
The dialogue provided valuable lessons that participants are eager to implement in their work. Many attendees spoke about Rwanda's abundant opportunities, such as a peaceful environment, youth platforms, and freedoms, which are sometimes taken for granted.
Najimah emphasised the importance of staying active and starting small. "I've learned that I don't have to wait for big opportunities. I can start small, even on platforms like LinkedIn," she said. Robeni focused on bridging the participation gap between rural and urban youth, while Samiri advocated for meaningful engagement in policy implementation for the benefit of future generations.
The event ended with powerful messages to inspire hesitant youth. Salama urged young people to think beyond themselves: "Think about your peers and future generations. What kind of world do you want to create for them?"
Robeni challenged the narrative that youth are the leaders of tomorrow: "We are not the future leaders of tomorrow. We are the leaders of today," she stated.
Najimah encouraged youth to take action, regardless of the obstacles: "Don't let negativity hold you back. Believe in yourself, work hard, and you can achieve anything."
The 7th Youth Policy Dialogue reaffirmed Rwanda's commitment to youth empowerment and demonstrated how active participation today can help build a more inclusive and prosperous tomorrow for the nation and beyond.
Watch the full video below.
Rania Umutoni
