Joseph NKURUNZIZA completed his studies at the Medical School in 2005 at the National University of Rwanda. For the last six years, Joseph has worked as both a physician and an advocate with local and international health and development organizations within Rwanda. He serves as the co-founder and Board Director of Never Again Rwanda, a peace building organization that is promoting human rights and advocating peace among Rwandan youth. Through this organization, Joseph has promoted discussion of the causes and consequences of genocide and conflicts at the national and international level. He has also initiated a project called Youth Engagement in the Democratic Process in Rwanda, which is implemented in Rwandan high schools and higher Institutions of learning which aims at helping to provide the nation’s youth with the skills to make informed decisions in governance and human rights and raise interest in national policy issues and leadership. His work in Rwanda gives young people the guidance, encouragement and knowledge to be active citizens.
He also serves as the Co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Health Development Initiative-Rwanda (HDI), a local non-governmental organization committed to improving the health of disadvantaged populations across Rwanda. HDI aims to improve both the quality and capacity of health care available to Rwanda’s poorest communities, of which women compose a disproportionate percentage. As such, Maternal and Child Health and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights are two of HDI’s primary focus areas.
Lastly Joseph was honored by Junior Chambers International as one of the 2010 ten outstanding young persons of the world.
