Peace Dialogues
Example: Walk us through a specific example(s) of how this solution makes a difference; include its primary activities.
Marketplace: Who else is addressing the problem outlined here? How does the proposed project differ from these approaches?
Joseph
Ryarasa Nkurunziza, Dr.
Never Again Rwanda
, KV, Kigali
, BU, Butare
After-School Provider.
Public (tuition-free)
More than 5 years
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Operating for less than a year
Never Again Rwanda promotes critical thinking through Public Speaking, a fun method built on our success with debate competitions.
We are the first to bring Public Speaking to a country with rich oral traditions to a youth eager to voice their opinion.
Never Again Rwanda has experience with debate trainings and competitions and supported schools institutionalize it since 2006. In 2011 alone we trained 149 students & teachers from, hosted three debate competitions, each attended by over 300 listeners. We are now building experience with public speaking and expect similar outcomes with schools adopting public speaking into their curriculum because students want to continue practicing this fun method. Both debate and public speaking build on Rwanda's cultural value of rich oral traditions. Thus, this format fits wonderfully into the Rwandan culture. Furthermore, public speaking is not resource intensive for schools to adopt. Therefore, it is the ideal format for Rwandan schools to implement and easily adopt to create empathy and critical thinking skills in Rwandan schools.
Our project will give youth a voice to reflect on pertinent issues in Rwandan society. Through training and providing a platform they can begin being active citizens. We are showing students and teachers the value of public speaking and we will support them in installing this fun method in their own schools as was experienced with the method of debate.
8 secondary schools in Huye District have successfully participated in a training and public speaking competition.
The first draft of the handbook for the training is finalized.
A training for students and their teachers gives them the necessary knowledge to compete in an organized competition.
A public speaking competition is organized for students and teachers to let them experience the fun of such an event.
At least two schools in the Southern Province have successfully held public speaking competitions on their own.
A training of trainers provides the necessary human resources to allow trainings in more schools.
Trainings are brought to two new districts in the Southern Province including 32 secondary schools.
Two schools are provided with our support to launch their own public speaking competitions.
During the 2011 commemoration debate, organized by Never Again Rwanda, it became clear that debate as a method to tackle commemoration is not suitable (since Rwandan commemoration cannot be divided into for and against). Wanting to expand on issues of commemoration and peace building, the method of public speaking was introduced. To allow for a maximum impact it was decided to come up with an extended training including topics such as systemic thinking, conflict resolution or active listening. To round it up it was agreed that support for schools who want to incorporate it into their school life will be given since the triage – training – competition – support – has already proven effective with the method of debate.
NAR partnerships range from local NGO’s, government institutions and the private sector. More specifically Never Again Rwanda are or were engaged in partnerships with the following organizations: USAID, UNDEF, AKIBA UHAKI FOUNDATION, UN HABITAT, Global funds for Children, National Endowment for Democracy, GIZ, Rwanda Governance Advisory council and many other local Associations.
The Peace Building Program Coordinator will take a lead. He is supported by an international peace advisor from GIZ, who is building his and the organization's capacity. The financial and logistic department will support them as well as all other staff members during competitions, where many hands are needed. Furthermore an intern will help with different organizational matters to make this project a success.
Never Again Rwanda is ready to share experience made with public speaking and debate. With 5 years of experience in Rwanda using debate as an implementation method, lessons learnt, models and practices are ready to be shared with others. Furthermore, collaboration with such projects is always anticipated by us.