Imbuto Foundation has today hosted its 17 Youth Forum Series at Serena Hotel Kigali. This year’s Youth Forum, “Navigating Pathways: Lifeline to Success”, focuses on career guidance.
The forums form part of the Youth Empowerment and Mentorship Program (YEMP) which continuously engage, educate, and empower Rwandan youth through various activities.
One of the key activities of YEMP is to empower youth to set clear and high goals through the annual Youth Forum Series.
Career Guidance is the first to address the issues most youth face prior to attending university. The forum consisted of 300 participants some of which are high school graduates in their gap year and first year university students.
The forum aimed at equipping the participants with the necessary information and tools to make better and more informed educational and career decisions as they continue on to university.
Imbuto Foundation believes it is imperative for youth to make informed educational and career decisions for their next level of study especially since many youth depend on scholarships and often scholarship restrictions make it difficult to reverse decisions.
Among the student participants were guests such as First Lady Jeannette Kagame, Minister of Education Hon. Dr. Vincent Biruta, One UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Representative Mr. Opia Kumah, including representatives from government and university institutions.
In her address to the students Mrs. Jeannette Kagame said, “Career, as you all know, refers to a profession or occupation that one chooses as one’s life calling. Choosing a career is a delicate issue and often a dilemma for young people.”
The Minister if Education, Hon. Dr Vincent Biruta discussed in his address how important internships are for the youth, as skills are not only obtained at university but also through TVET. He encouraged youth the make use of any internship opportunities.
Topics that were covered during the forum were career options, self-discovery, and career paths.
Minister of Youth officially came to close the forum and told the students that they should embrace change and visualize the end, they should plan accordingly.
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