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Rwanda has won Future Policy Award 2011 owing to the National Forest Policy that was introduced in 2004 and reviewed in 20110, thus becoming the world’s most distinguished and innovative forest policy.

The United Nations-backed awards were announced September 21 by the World Future Council (WFC) at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA.

Rwanda’s forest policy became the best of the three winning policies that focus and contribute to the conservation and sustainable development of forests which benefits present and future generations.

WFC Director Alexandra Wandel said while announcing the gold medal for the country’s national forest policy that: “Despite the genocide and continuing population and land pressures, Rwanda is one of only three countries in Central and Western Africa to achieve a major reversal in the trend of declining forest cover and is on course to achieving its goal of forest cover of 30 per cent of total land area by the year 2020.

“The Government of Rwanda has taken a lead in developing visionary forest policy but also bio-diversity conservation, ecotourism and green jobs.”Wandel stressed.

The event brought the former United States track and field star Carl Lewis, a nine-time Olympic gold winner and now UN Goodwill Ambassador.

The event also brought Mr. Lewis, a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) who in his sporting career won 10 Olympic medals, nine of them gold, and 10 World Championships medals, eight of them gold.

In his remarks he said, “I kind of know about awards, I’ve had a few myself and I think it’s much more important that we talk about this award because it affects everyone.

“It talks about reforestation and overcoming hunger. So I’m delighted to make the Future Policy Award more well-known and to carry out some of the inspiriting energy of the Olympic spirit that I’ve had in the past” said Lewis.

The Director of the Secretariat of the UN Forum on Forests, Jan McAlpine, illustrated that the awards come ‘at a really critical time’ because of the slump in the economy, the needs of dealing with development goals and the complexity of dealing with natural resources and adverse impact of unsustainable exploitation on climate, biodiversity and livelihoods.

The annual awards celebrate policies that create better living conditions for current and future generations, and seek to raise global awareness and speed up action towards just, sustainable and peaceful societies.

This year’s topic was forests, with 16 entries from 20 countries, and the announcements took place under the sponsorship of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

Forest cover has increased by 37 per cent since 1990, massive reforestation and planting that promote indigenous species and involve the local population have been undertaken, and new measures such as agro-forestry and education have been implemented.

One silver award went to the US Lacey Act amendment of 2008 which prohibits all trade in wood and plant products that are knowingly illegally sourced from a US state or any foreign country, forcing importers to take responsibility for their wood products.

The second silver went to Gambia’s Community Forestry Policy, put in place with FAO support, the first in Africa to provide local populations with secure and permanent forest ownership rights.

Transferring forest tenure from state ownership to management by local communities enables them to reduce illegal logging and forest fires, slow desertification and benefit from the forest products.

The Permanent Secretary in the Minisrty of Health Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana has said that most of diseases in Rwanda come from poor hygiene and malaria.

The ministry official was speaking to the press at the an annual meeting with all health personnel from all health centers in Rwanda.

The meeting which aims at assessing what has been achieved, improving quality in health sector, fighting against diseases and infrastructural development also attracts partners in health sector.

”Most of these were achieved at a considerable point including centralizing health centers and medical insurance,” added Dr. Ndagijimana.

Dr. Ndagijimana says the existing plan in the Ministry is to prevent diseases other than treating them.

“We are also focusing on capacity building for doctors and medical staff in order to fight these diseases even though there is a considerable improvement,” Dr Ndagijimana added.

Several heads of health centers igihe.com approached were reluctant to comment on barriers in their profession at their respective health facilities.

This Wednesday at the parliamentary building, the general assembly of the chambers of deputies adopted the draft law regulating Road Networks in Rwanda.

The draft law regulating road networks, regulates boundaries of the road, categories of the road and how they will be maintained.

The draft law provides for different road categories; state roads, District and Kigali City Roads and any other place considered as a town and private roads, as stated in the draft law.

State roads include highways connecting Rwanda and neighboring countries,district and Kigali city roads, are roads connecting districts enabling tourists to reach other areas and other gazetted places.

Its provided in the draft law that the state roads, district and Kigali city road boundaries will be implemented on both sides of the road after six months after implementation of the law.

However, regarding the expropriation of residents along such roads, its planned that, during the construction of state roads, Kigali city and district roads , the process has to be conducted according to the law governing expropriation inline with general interest of the public.

Rwanda that joined the EAC bloc in 2007 is up to revive its National Monotoring Committee (NMC) to become an effective body to address various Non Trade Barriers (NTBs).

This was discussed on September 20, by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Private Sector Federation under the patronage of the Trade Mark East Africa, a multi-donor funded agency set up to promote regional trade and economic integration in East Africa.

The Agency hosted a high level validation workshop of the ‘National Strategy for Eliminating Non-Tariff Barriers’ at Serena Hotel.

The event attracted over 70 participants coming from both the public and private sector, such as Sorwathe, Bralirwa, and Association of Transporters, Ministry of East African Community, Rwandan Revenue Authority, Rwandan Bureau of Standards, Immigration General Secretariat and National Police.

The goal was to reverse the situation by strengthening the Rwanda NMC’s operations,enabling it to become the driving force of the NTB elimination process at national and regional level.

Permanent Secretary in MINICOM, Emmanuel Hategeka in his remarks said: “I am confident that the strategy will provide the inspiration and drive towards the elimination of all NTBs that we are facing as a country.

“The strategy will also enable us engage with neighbouring countries in a meaningful way as we seek to lower the cost of trading across borders”, added Hategeka.

The Strategy is to build around three strategic outcomes, each addressing important capacity issues and processes in the monitoring and elimination of NTBs using different advocacy channels both regionally and nationally.

The press statement from MINICOM shows that due to evidence from various studies conducted in the last two years, it is clear that the cost of Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs) for EAC countries runs into tens of millions of dollars.

It shows that within the bloc landlocked countries such as Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi carry the greatest cost of NTBs due to distance from the main ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam.

The other obstacles include bad road infrastructure, delays at border crossings and lack of harmonized import and export standards and procedures are still an obstacle to trade within the region.

As a result of imports of one container in Rwanda, for example, is more than 3.5 times higher than in Tanzania and 2.5 times higher than in Kenya.

To address the problem of NTBs the EAC Protocol envisaged the establishment of theNational Monitoring Committees on NTBs (NMCs) as a national mechanism for monitoring and coordination of NTB elimination.

However, the functioning of these committees has not been very effective in either the national or regional context and the list of the main NTBs registered in the Time Bound Programme for Elimination of NTBs has not recorded much progress since Rwanda joined the EAC in 2007.

The core part of this strategy therefore, aims to revive the NMC to become an effective body to address various NTBs.

According to the statement, the main reasons for the lack of progress in the National Monitoring Committees on NTBs (NMCs’) work have been lack of authority, coordination structure and resources, lack of analytical capacity to address priority NTBs in a meaningful way.

Also identified are insufficient representation and contribution of the private sector to its operations, insufficient regional cooperation between the NMCs and lack of a strategic planning approach to monitoring and elimination of NTBs.

The Kigali City (MVK) is in plans of constructing pedestrian flyovers in the coming future. These flyovers will be located at the main round about in the city center, Kimihurura, Gisimenti and at Giporoso.
The flyovers will come as a solution for pedestrians that find difficulties in crossing these places during busy hours of the day.

This has been confirmed by Mr. Bruno Rangira in charge of information in MVK in an interview with Igihe.com.

Asked on the condition and appearance of the flyovers, Bruno Rangira could not confirm the exact picture of the infrastructure after all the study is still ongoing.

“We shall give you a full picture of the infrastructures after the study being conducted by NIGUS is complete and handed over to the city authority”.

A large number of city dwellers interviewed on the new infrastructure confirmed that once these flyovers are put in place, road accidents will drastically reduce.

An interviewee who prefered annonymity said that this will put to use ample usage of space given the increasing number of vehicles in the city center, “Someone may spend about 30minutes waiting for traffic to slow down. This delays the person from work especially during the morning hours when we are all going to work places”.

Not only will pedestrians benefit but also vehicle owners and drivers especially in time management. Ndahiro Julius another interviewee told Igihe.com, “It prevents chaos on the road because pedestrians have their own road and the follow if cars keep on moving without stopping at zebra crossings”

Rwanda like the rest of the world yesterday September 21 marked and celebrated the annual International Day of Peace at Petit Stade Remera that attracted a peace walk from KBC Kimihurura round point to the stadium.

Rwandan artists’ peacemakers hosted attendants to a concert where different governmental and nongovernmental organizations participated.

The theme for International Day of Peace this year says ‘make your voice heard’ under the overall idea of peace and democracy.

Jean Batiste Habyarimana, the Executive Secretary of Rwanda National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) on behalf of organizer of the event this year said that the day commemorates and strengthens the ideals of peace both within and among all nations.

Habyarimana in a press interview challenged Rwandans to celebrate and rejoice the day because of the past history.

“As Rwandans since the 1994 genocide there has been an interesting step to development, peace and stability and today we play a good example to the international scene. Let us keep on ensuring peace and stability through promoting security, fight poverty, and guarantee health standards and social comfort,” He emphasized.

The Kigali City Mayor Fidele Ndayisaba said that development and social stability is all about peace.

“In Kigali we are secure and we give better services to the public which means that we have peace. Today we just joined other organs to celebrate the day and to make a continuous mobilization at the event,” said Ndayisaba.

Aurelian Agbinonu, the UN Resident Coordinator recommended the Rwanda Defense Forces who are in peacekeeping mission in Darfur that contributed greatly to reducing of human suffering there while ensuring peace in the area.

He also challenged the youth to be peace volunteers and ensure stability.

The Minister in the Presidents’ office Venancia Tugireyezu as the chief guest at the event in her remarks urged parents and guardians to play crucial role in mobilizing the young upon the peace building.

The day was recommended in 1982 by the United Nation (resolutions 36/37 and 55/282), and the UN’s theme for International Day of Peace this year says ‘make your voice heard’ under the overall idea of peace and democracy.

In Rwanda, over the past two years, the International Day of Peace has been organized and celebrated under the lead of the United Nations Office in Rwanda.

This year, the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission as her mandate of coordinating all activities related to peace and unity requires, has decided to take the lead of organizing and coordinating this year’s celebrations.

The current report that has been released shows that unless boys join the cause, girls are fighting a losing battle for gender equality.

The findings compiled in the 2011 edition of ‘because I am a Girl: The State of the World’s Girls’ in printed by the International children’s rights organization; Plan International.

The edition this year asks the question, “So, what about the boys?”
The survey attributes that the solution of the inequality problem is the working together by men, women, boys, girls and teenagers of all sexes.

“The boys have the power that has been given to them from childhood,” Hamimu Masudi, Plan’s campaign co-coordinator for East and Southern Africa, told agencies.

“If you’re going to get the girls to have power, then you’ve got to engage the boys.”

The report argues that boys must be influenced of the unfairness of gender inequality to be committed to changing it.

The survey was carried out to more than 4,000 people ranging from 12- to 18-year-olds from countries including Rwanda, India and the United Kingdom, revealing gender stereotypes that are still deeply entrenched in both boys and girls.

Sixty five per cent of participants from Indian and Rwanda somewhat agreed that a woman should tolerate violence to keep her family together.

A further 43 per cent agreed there are times when a woman deserves to be beaten.

Sixty seven per cent of boys and 71 per cent of girls surveyed in Rwanda believe changing diapers, bathing and feeding the kids are a mother’s responsibility as did 83 per cent of boys and 87 per cent of girls in India.

Over 60 per cent of participants in India believe when money is tight it is better to educate a boy instead of a girl.

The report also found that toys are often differentiated by sex, with advertisers pitching them to girls and boys differently. Nor is this confined to the northern hemisphere, as North American toys are often imported to Latin American countries as Well.

Challenging gender stereotypes that are sometimes reinforced by community, culture and religion is challenging in both boys and girls.

In many countries, there is a higher worth placed on boys from birth, and it comes with high expectations.

“They’ve been told never to cry,” said Masudi. “They have been told when they are sick they should not go in bed.”

According to the report, boys living in that macho pressure cooker can suffer lower academic scores and be more likely to take part in destructive and violent behaviors.

Boys also benefit, however, when there is more equality in the relationship with their female contemporaries, Masudi said.

The empowerment and education of girls has long been identified as a key factor in reducing poverty, particularly in developing nations.

Plan International chief executive Nigel Chapman said, “Of course, many boys are affected by poverty lack of opportunity and also violence, but girls face double discrimination by being young and by being female.

“Everyone, including boys, benefits from a more just, equal world but it cannot be attained by girls alone we must all play a more active part.”

Sensational artist Kitoko Bibarwa has released a new song titled Akabuto literally meaning a fruit. The distribution of the akabuto song started today.

It’s a boom boom dancehall song sang in three languages; Kinyarwanda, English and Swahili.

In an interview with Igihe.com Kitoko said the new song fits well in all dancing clubs across the East African Community as it has been his target while he compsed the song.

Kitoko said, “This song was produced by Washington from Uganda. Personally I really love it and hope it will be liked by all people who like music across EAC bloc since its in three languages.

The Singer says he wants to promote himself and the Rwandan music as well.

The song includes the words like boom boom, kiss kiss kiss and mmwwwee mmwwweee.

Rwandan artists mainly those involved in peacemaking have brought their arts together to celebrate and promote peace, unity and reconciliation on the International Day of Peace that is being celebrated all over the world.

Our reporter at the event received messages they are delivering to the Rwandans and all people in the world.

Dieudonné Munyanshoza :”I wish people living in Rwanda and all over the world to cerebrate this day of peace because there is nothing that can be reached upon without peace.

“Let’s fight for peace, unity and lets reconcile to each other in order to reach a sustainable development.
“I pledge to all Rwandans and others living in the world to overwhelmingly observe and celebrate this day” the renowned singers concluded.

Intore Jean De Dieu Tuyisenge a.k.a Tora Kagame: “Iam happy for this day and I wish all people to fight for peace to prevail in this world”.

Award winning filmmaker Edouard Bamporiki: “People to have peace in their hearts and to inevitably set off peace revolution and friendly people should tell each other about peace. Peacemaker bears peace child”

Staff Sgt. Robert: “People should play big part either in protecting peace, security or even protecting the surroundings.

“Peace and security should be protected by all people- civilians, police or soldiers because we are all important to each other”

Kizito mihigo: “Some artists played a role in promoting hatred that made the 1994 genocide inevitable and therefore today artist should play part in liberating the nation, spread love where hatred was spread, promote unity where divisionism was spread”.

Sophie Nzayisenga a.k.a Amahoro: “we have to be happy today because we have peace and stability in Rwanda and we have to fight for it as we respect each other and as we also help each other”.

Marc Mico Nsengiyaremye: “To love the nation is the first priority to promote and this will result into ensuring our country with peace and unity, and all people should love the nation.

“As public figures, we have to be example in delivering message of peace to the public because no peace no love”.

Mani Martin: “I celebrate this day because this goes with my normal sayings and I wish our nation to play an example in promoting peace across the world”.

Kitoko Bibarwa: “Nothing can be done without peace either personally or even publically and this is not the government program but should be done at family level”.