Minister Ploumen (International Trade & Development Cooperation) was the keynote speaker and held an impressive speech. To read the entire speech go to: /www.netherlands.embassy.gov.rw/uploads/media/KWIBUKAspeech-Ploumen-7April2014.pdf
Some remarkable quotes:
'Not one country heeded the call from the Security Council. As a result, the whole world shares responsibility for the tragedy. My own country is no exception.'
'Last year I visited the Genocide Memorial Centre in Kigali. It was an important day in my life. It is important to stop and think about what happened in 1994. It's important for us to meet here today and remember those who were so savagely killed. It's important to pause and reflect on what man is capable of.'
'Today, twenty years on, a new generation of Rwandans has grown up in peace and security. For them, a new chapter is being written with the most recent campaign called Ndi Umunyarwanda, or 'I am Rwandan'. It is a fresh attempt to encourage people to talk about what happened and help them understand the complex social impact of the genocide.'
'I feel that the biggest challenge is this: Rwandans will have to rediscover confidence in themselves and in one another. The confidence that they can stand on their own two feet, not only as a society but also as individuals. Free from fear, at peace with their neighbors and with respect for the common human values we all share.'
'The Netherlands wants to show its friendship by assisting in that process. We want to contribute to those positive developments. For instance by helping to rebuild the judicial system, as we have been doing over the past years. And by helping Rwanda to take the next steps towards a free society. I want to paraphrase ambassador Karabaranga, who was quoted this morning in a Dutch newspaper. He said: 'In the end Rwanda wants to move away from dependency and create equal partnerships with friendly countries.'
'As a true friend the Netherlands wants to travel alongside Rwanda on its journey to a brighter future, getting to know one another better and learning from each other along the way. We want to accompany the Rwandans on their quest for greater trust and confidence. It is a challenge. But Rwanda has met bigger ones in the recent past. '
For more information: www.netherlands.embassy.gov.rw
