Sweden’s development aid to Rwanda goes through many channels. Support for major reform programmes are complemented by direct co-operation with the civil society through non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Our support will now be focused within three areas; peace and reconciliation, democracy and economic development.
Peace and reconciliation
The post-genocide reconciliation work remains an important part of the general debate in Rwanda. We are supporting several organizations that are working to create unity in a society where perpetrators and victims live side by side. Continued dialogue is required for those people affected so that they can move on.
The Institute of Research and Dialogue for Peace, an organization that Sida supports, is working to create national unity and to overcome ethnic dividing lines in the aftermath of the genocide. Families and groups from different sides of the conflict meet to discuss taboo subjects and build relationships for the future. Sida is also supporting dialogue and reconciliation through Norwegian Church Aid in Rwanda.
Information about the Institute of Research and Dialogue for Peace’s (IRDP) activities in Rwanda.
Dialogue for Peace
The democratic culture in Rwanda is weak. The country lacks an organized political opposition and the governing Rwanda Patriotic Front party has a strong grip on power. Politics is characterized by divisions of power and consensus decisions. Freedom of the press is limited and the desire to not open the wounds from the genocide is given as an excuse to justify censorship.
Sweden gives broad support for democracy and increased respect for human rights in Rwanda. The Swedish police have been working with the Rwandan police force for many years to train them on the value of democracy in their work. The election commission is receiving Sida’s support to strengthen the culture of democracy and public participation. Other important contributions have focused on public financial management and decentralization programmes within public administration. Sweden is co-operating with the state as well as the civil society.
Economic development
Rwanda is experiencing major economic reforms. The current regime has identified economic development as the most important factor in the fight against poverty. Modernizing the agricultural sector and investments in IT, the services sector and tourism will pave the way for Rwanda’s new economy.
For many years, we have been supporting Rwanda’s IT authority, which is responsible for implementing the country’s IT policy. The authority has established an information technology infrastructure within public administration that has made work routines within all government institutions more efficient. Effective and rights-based use of natural resources and economic development for the poorest people are expected to be important ingredients in Sweden’s support for Rwanda’s strategy for combating poverty.
Information about Rwanda’s IT authority – the Rwanda Information Technology Authority.
Research and Universities
Sida supports partners so that they better plan, produce and use research for development and economic growth. Sida’s intention is that Rwanda should be able to conduct their own research of international standard in areas that they have prioritised.
Each country has its own unique premises for development and economic growth thus it is central that the cooperation partner is able to generate and maintain expertise and knowledge in key areas.
Example of what Sida support in bilateral cooperation:
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Master- and PhD education in cooperation with Swedish and international partners
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Research councils
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Administrative reforms of universities
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Investments in infrastructure for example ICT, libraries and laboratories
Link to The Unit for Research Cooperations activities in Rwanda
Book tips:
- Rwanda conflict: its roots and regional implications / Dixon Kamukama
- A Thousand Hills: Rwanda's Rebirth and the Man Who Dreamed It / Stephen Kinzer
- Culture and Customs of Rwanda / Julius O. Adekunle
- The Strategy of Antelopes: Rwanda After the Genocide / Jean Hatzfeld
- We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families: Stories from Rwanda / Philip Gourevitch
