GoodWorks President Amazed by Rwanda's Progress
By

Mutoni Karasanyi

 

When Wallace Ford, the President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Goodworks International embarked on a trip to Rwanda, he was impressed by the beauty of the country. But, it is the attitude of Rwandans that left him speechless. "The people were clearly forward thinking and involved in progressive activities, in a way that is very hard to convey, unless you go there yourself." He said.
 
GoodWorks International, an Atlanta based consultancy firm, was created to provide multinational companies such as Verizon, Nike and General Electric with strategies of expanding their businesses to Africa and the Carribean.
 
According to Ford, Africa presents exciting investment prospects. However, there are risks involved some of which the companies may not be aware. With offices in six African countries, GoodWorks works with the companies willing to expand.  "Verizon was looking for different opportunities around the world and found Rwanda. But they have to know the way to pursue these opportunities effectively, and that's where we come in." He said, "And we do this for many companies, whether it's Chevron, General Electric, or Coca-Cola."
 
Not only does GoodWork work with private companies, but with governments too. In Rwanda, Goodworks, has worked with the government on attracting investment, infrastructure development and on how to achieve the country's Millennium Development goals. Ford however, is quick to point out that Goodworks only plays an advisor role and implementation rests with the government and its administration.
 
Ford, who oversees Goodworks' involvement in Rwanda, has a wide range of experience from his previous responsibilities. Notably, Ford was a Commissioner of Business Services of New York City and a professor of public policy management, at Columbia University.
 
Among the popular Rwanda related projects GoodWorks has worked on is the producing of the documentary Rwanda Rising. GoodWorks, founder and former US ambassador to the UN, Andrew Young led a team to Rwanda that filmed how Rwanda has rebuilt itself from the horrors of the 1994 war and genocide to being economically viable and a destination for foreign investors. In an interview with VOA, Young said he was inspired to make the film after realising that most films produced only showed one side of the story - the killings. ""We tried to let the people tell their own story and let the film show how far they have come in healing the wounds." Young said.
 
Like many other people, Ford says that he found Rwanda Rising to be a compelling story about Rwanda. "I was extremely impressed," He said. "Not only in terms of the renaissance of the country but of the people of Rwanda, after the very unspeakable times that took places in Rwanda."
 
The documentary that highlighted growing businesses in the country such as coffee, real estate, and basket weaving also included interviews from prominent personalities. President Paul Kagame, former US president Bill Clinton, former World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz shared their perspective of Rwanda today and where its headed. Award winning music producer Quincy Jones also appears in the film.
 
Rwanda Rising may be a sign of a strong relationship between GoodWorks and Rwanda. But to Ford, there is more yet to come. "We have played a role in the economic development and the progress in the business sector in Rwanda and we will continue to do so." He promised.
 

MUSEUM OF TOLERANCE: Remembering Victims of Genocide
By
Elana Samuels
 
During the 14th commemoration of the Rwandan genocide, the Museum of Tolerance, based in Los Angeles co-sponsored the remembrance event, with the Rwandan Heritage Society of Los Angeles, and Rwanda Convention Association. The museum that is committed to promoting historical awareness and social consciousness was founded by Rabbi Hier who challenges people to not only learn about history but to learn from history.
 
The Museum of Tolerance (MOT) is the educational arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international human rights organization, dedicated to promoting tolerance and mutual understanding through educational outreach, community partnerships, and social action.
Established in 1993, MOT has welcomed over four million visitors, mostly middle and high school students.  MOT programs enable students to become witnesses to history and explore the dynamics of bigotry and discrimination that are still embedded in society today. Through the use of technologically advanced interactive exhibits, the Museum engages visitors' hearts and minds, while challenging them to assume personal responsibility for positive community change.  
Each year, MOT serves approximately 150,000 middle and high school students from diverse communities throughout Southern California and beyond. The majority of youth visitors are in the Los Angeles County School system thereby reflecting the region's diverse demographics.
MOT youth education programs are designed to inform young people about tolerance-related issues, address issues of personal and collective responsibility, and warn them of the perils and consequences of bigotry, hate, prejudice, and intolerance. Investing in Diversity is MOT's programmatic commitment to providing full or partial subsidies for over 10,000 disadvantaged students each year to visit the Museum.
The pursuit of tolerance and social justice is a challenge that spans a lifetime and bridges generations. MOT offers specialized programs tailored to the needs of both students and adults. Among the youth development programs offered are customized school tours, after school programs, distance-learning opportunities, and expanded leadership development programs for adolescents. Professional development programs include specialized training for law enforcement, educators, and members of workplace teams. Past participants as well as all community members can take advantage of the Museum's specialized web sites offering free resources, message boards, and best practices. The Museum's public Arts and Lectures series provides an ongoing forum for contemporary cutting-edge issues through films, lectures, panel discussions, and symposia. 
The Museum is also the repository of the Simon Wiesenthal Center's IMLS award-winning Library and Archives, featuring an online catalogue of over 45,000 volumes and non-print materials. The Library and Archives gives the prestigious annual Once Upon A World Children's Book Award to the writer of a new book that deals with issues of tolerance, diversity, human understanding and social justice, thus inspiring a young reader to promote positive change in the world.
            MOT has received numerous accolades for its innovative educational programming including from President Clinton's "One America" Initiative on Race, the American Association of Museums and the California Federation of Teachers. It is recognized as the pre-eminent Holocaust museum west of Washington DC.