Past Conventions

 

 

2007 RWANDA CONVENTION
BETHESDA, MARYLAND
INTRODUCTION
Rwanda Convention Association launched its fourth annual convention in Bethesda, Maryland at the Bethesda Marriott Conference Hotel from 21st to 23rd of September, 2007.
The RCA’s goals for 2007 were to be:

  • Assiting Rwanda to transform into a knowledge based economy. 
  • Acquiring Northern American investors to ameliorate :
    • Private sector in Rwanda
    • Information and Technology
    • Education sector
    • Media
  • Promoting African businesses based in America to invest in Rwanda
    • Setting up a network for professionals and NGOs who are willing to assist in developing a new and improved Rwanda
  • Promoting Rwandan artists abroad
    • Promoting and maintaining Rwandan culture in the U.S. community and         among Rwandans living in the U.S. and Canada

OPENING CEREMONY

The President of Rwanda Convention Association opened the ceremony by welcoming the distinguished guests and future investors to the conference. Announcement was made that RCA is moving into a progressive structural direction that will focus on:

  • Aiding Rwanda reach its Vision 2020 goals in:
    • Education Sector
      • Private Sector: promotion of small businesses and entrepreneurship through American investors
    • Media development – building media infrastructure
    • Development and establishment of  Information and Technology in Rwanda
    • Strengthening its community in North America

RCA is dedicated in the promotion of Rwandan culture and strengthening the relationship of existing communities. From 2004 through 2006, RCA has not only limited itself to the development of Rwanda, but also aided in the strengthening of Rwandan Diaspora through its annual conventions. RCA, since its existence, has facilitated the investment of Northern American businesses and organizations toward Rwanda; e.g.Verizon Wireless, Thousand Hills Ventures Funds, and Engineers without Borders.
2007 Rwanda Convention focused on four elements:

  • Building a Knowledge based economy
  • Establishing a new and stable Economy in Rwanda
  • Development of Rwandan International Network
  • Emphasizing Rwanda: the Rebirth of a Nation

GUEST OF HONOR
The Guest of honor Kay Warren bestowed on the attendees an inspirational speech. “Rwandans are people of tremendous grace and courage.  Rwandans are triumphing over evil by doing good.” Mrs. Warren presented how a nation of tragic history is developing into a new and stronger economic nation.
The development of Rwanda has inspired Kay Warren to launch the establishment of health care facilities for HIV/AIDS patients. Utilizing the existing churches, Kay Warren will set up healthcare services in villages throughout Rwanda. Currently, fifty churches in Kibuye have been mobilized to initially implement the plan. Saddleback Church has been an active entity in Rwanda in aiding social and civil development. Mrs. Warren is dedicated to aiding the development of Rwanda and has stated that Rwanda is currently at its peak for investment and development.

Honorable Minister Charles Murigande spoke on the development and statute of Rwandan Diaspora in United States and Canada. Unfortunately, a misconception on what Rwanda Convention Association (RCA) represents and what Honorable Minister Murigande would like to envision with the Diaspora desk in charge of Rwandan Diaspora occurred. RCA would like to emphasize that RCA is strictly a private initiative based NGO that focuses on assisting the economic and social development of Rwanda. Please note that RCA is not to be confused with the Rwandan Diaspora organizations.
BUILDING A KNOWLEDGE BASED SOCIETY
Building a knowledge based society was one of the many goals of 2007 for RCA. Through a knowledge based society, Rwanda will be able to gain better access to and establish an effective information bank regarding its Diaspora and foreign investors
GOVERNANCE

  •  Investor Mike Singh, CEO of Telkom Caribe stated that Rwanda has all the     ingredients to set up Information and Technology
    •  Peace and Stability
    •  Good Governance
    •  Transparency and accountability

Mr. Singh has promised to deliver 12 votes for Rwanda from the Caribbean to allow Rwanda to enter the Common Wealth. Mr. Singh further called upon the U.S. to join Rwanda and NGOs to aid in the development of Rwanda.
VIDEO CONFERENCING: EDUCATION
Burl Waits, Learning Process Center is dedicated to support the building of knowledge based society in Rwanda. Mr. Waits believes that video conferencing will aid Rwanda in strengthening its education sector, IT sector and provide access to the Rwandan business community to the world economy and information system. Consequently, Rwanda will be able to emerge as a rising economic power and compete in the international economic society. Finally, Rwanda will be able to reach its vision 2020 goal through the development of information technology.
GLOBAL MARKET COMMUNITY
Michael Cant, CEO of MarketTiger is dedicated in fostering a knowledge based society and promoting the development of the private sector in Rwanda. Inspired to assist in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, MarketTiger is dedicated in assisting Rwanda reach its Vision 2020 goals in Information and Technology. MarketTiger is also contributing to the expansion of private sector in Rwanda by developing a global information society that will further attract foreign investors. Development of the IT sector in Rwanda will assist in promoting and expanding Rwandan entrepreneurship and assist Rwanda to be integrated into the global community as a viable economic actor.
RWANDA VISION 2020
Doreen Kagarama of the Rwandan Embassy in Washington D.C. presented on Rwanda’s Vision 2020 goals.  The Embassy calls upon the Diaspora to aid in the development of:

  • Agricultural transformation
  • Private Sector
  • Human Resources
  • Infrastructure
  • Regional integration

AREAS WHICH CAN BE DEVELOPED IN RWANDA
An emerging economy panel led by Director of Rwanda Investment and Export Promotion Agency (RIEPA) Francis Gatare, established the mass opportunities of investment in Rwanda. Rwanda currently has an exponential GDP growth of 6% and its economy is growing each year. Inflation is under 5%, and the currency in Rwanda is appreciating consistently. Since RIEPA was established, it has been dedicated in facilitating investment toward Rwanda and played a vital role in assisting economic development in Rwanda.
Goodworks International promotes growth and investment in southern and central Africa. It has played a major role in promoting investment in Rwanda. Goodworks International supports Rwanda in achieving its Millennium Development Goals and during November 10th to 13th, Goodworks International will showcase all the investment opportunities in Africa, particularly Rwanda. Its launch of “Rwanda Rising,” a movie directed by Ambassador Andrew Young, will be showcased starting fall 2007 on all Delta airlines flights.  RCA screened the movie and it was a success among its participants. The movie depicts the development of Rwanda from 1994 to present. The growth Rwanda has entailed socially and economically, has proven that a nation can survive and rebuild successfully after a devastating conflict. Goodworks International is also dedicated in assisting the development of a knowledge based economy. It is currently partnered with Kigali Institute of Technology in assisting the development of IT sector in Rwanda.

TRANSFERING OF MONEY

  • Afripayments in alliance with Zigama CFS of Rwanda, has established technology for the Diaspora to transfer funds efficiently and affordably. They will provide electronic funds, loans, and provide investment opportunities for the Rwanda Diaspora community and for Rwandan based transnational businesses. The launch of Afripayment is scheduled in November of 2007.

REAL ESTATE

  • Real Estate Investment in Rwanda is another opportunity open to American real estate agencies and Rwandan Diaspora. Two and three bedroom houses will be ready for purchase in 12 months and down payment of 10% is needed. For more information on real estate development in Rwanda www.realcontractors.biz

The development as an emerging economic society relies on the development of media as well. Media infrastructure is essential in order to assist the civil society with building an accurate and transparent information base. Allan Thompson of the Media Institute in Canada presented on the importance of the development of media infrastructure in Rwanda. Mr. Thompson laid out the importance of media development within the limited framework of Rwanda and further expanding it. It is believed that the Rwandan Diaspora can effectively assist in the development and improvement of media infrastructure in Rwanda.

 

 

CURRENT PROJECTS: 2007

  • RCA is currently working with the Learning Process Centers to launch Video Conferencing education program in Rwanda in order to assist Rwanda in reaching its Vision 2020 education goals

 

  • RCA is working with MarketTiger to promote for the global community to assist the economic development of Rwanda
  • RCA has collaborated with Goodworks International to achieve investment in Rwanda by Verizon Wireless in 2006

 

  • RCA has further facilitated and collaborated with many actors of the global community to encourage and promote entrepreneurship in Rwanda.  Kivu Technologies which has been established in 2006 by Davis Kayonga, is ready to serve both Rwandan Diaspora and Rwanda based businesses

CONCLUSION
RCA was established in 2004 with the goal to establish a “Stronger Rwandan Community” through the development of Information and Technology in Rwanda. A private initiative, RCA is a non-profit organization under section 501 (c) (3) of U.S. federal law. RCA has facilitated the investment of Northern American businesses and organizations towards Rwanda; e.g. Verizon Wireless, Thousand Hills Ventures Funds, and Engineers without Borders.
We thank all investors and Rwandans who attended and continuously supported RCA. Although RCA met many constraints in 2007, we have not changed our goal, but have strengthened it. With the support of the global community, RCA is now moving into a new phase of progression.

Rwandan Diaspora community is an essential part in assisting the economic and social development of Rwanda. As a result, RCA has initiated the development of Rwandan International Network by which each Rwandan community based in the U.S. and Canada can support each other in their initiatives and goals. The strength of each community lies within its support by other communities.
RCA is and has renewed its dedication to building a stronger Rwanda by assisting in attracting U.S and Canadian investment. We invite you all to join us at our next convention and show your support for our cause.


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