Engaging Youth in Building an Equal and Inclusive Society Manual

The project's overarching goal is to promote peaceful dialogue and democratic values through human rights-based approaches, with a focus on influencing the understanding of the rights of the most vulnerable groups in Rwanda. The specific objective is to support youth in expressing and debating their views on democratic values, taking leadership roles in political participation, and effectively promoting and protecting human rights while celebrating their diversities. The project targets five districts: Nyamagabe, Gisagara, and Huye from the Southern Province, and Nyabihu and Ngororero from the Western Province. The project aims to address the challenges faced by Rwandan youth, including limited economic and job opportunities, inadequate access to social and political rights, lack of proper mentorship, poor quality of education and critical thinking, interlinked problems of social isolation and low engagement in their communities, lack of self-esteem, and a lack of linkage between the youth and local leaders. The project's methodology involves training youth champions and local decision-makers on democratic values, human rights, and social justice. The training program is designed to enhance the capacities of local leaders to boost youth civic engagement and respond to youth needs and responsibilities. The project also aims to create avenues and initiatives that address the challenges faced by Rwandan youth. The project's focus on youth civic engagement is critical, given the significant role that youth play in Rwanda's active population. According to the 2006 National Youth Policy, youth constitute 61.5% of the active population. However, the youth were manipulated by politicians during the Genocide against the Tutsis, partly due to their lack of critical thinking skills and participation in decision-making processes. The project's objectives are aligned with the President of Rwanda's vision of building an inclusive society. In a speech delivered in Huye district on February 25, 2019, President Paul Kagame emphasized the importance of addressing poverty and promoting the well-being of citizens. The project's focus on promoting peaceful dialogue, democratic values, and human rights is critical in achieving this vision. The project's training program is designed to address the challenges faced by Rwandan youth, including limited economic and job opportunities, inadequate access to social and political rights, lack of proper mentorship, poor quality of education and critical thinking, interlinked problems of social isolation and low engagement in their communities, lack of self-esteem, and a lack of linkage between the youth and local leaders. The project's methodology involves training youth champions and local decision-makers on democratic values, human rights, and social justice. The project's training program is designed to enhance the capacities of local leaders to boost youth civic engagement and respond to youth needs and responsibilities. The project also aims to create avenues and initiatives that address the challenges faced by Rwandan youth. The project's focus on promoting peaceful dialogue, democratic values, and human rights is critical in achieving the vision of building an inclusive society in Rwanda.