The Youth Sector Strategic Plan translates into an action framework as defined by the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS II) theme of Productivity and Youth Employment, Vision 2020, the UN MDGs. The Youth Sector operates from a multifaceted and youth-driven environment. Accordingly, in determining its future thematic focus, various factors (impacting delivery of services) have been identified; especially, sector status, achievements, challenges, structure, and affiliations. Relevant with the Youth Sector, the situational analysis below presents an assessment of this environment. 2.1.1 The Vision 2020 places emphasis on youth and women socio-economic development; vocational and technical training in the fields of technology, engineering, and management; and encouragement of skills development and micro-credit schemes that will boost self-employment for young technicians. Special emphasis is on innovative, small-scale entrepreneurs to promote efficiency and a continuous upgrade of technical skills. To this end, appropriate programs will be launched through Ministry of Youth and Information and Communication Technology aimed at on-the-job training, in-service training, and distance learning. Given the continued importance attached to youth, Productivity and Youth Employment is one of four thematic areas for EDPRS II (a document that shall guide Rwanda’s aspirations of medium-term development from 2013 to 2018). 2.3 Four breakthrough achievements have been achieved by the Youth Sector to date. These achievements are as follows: Launch of the Kimisagara One Stop Youth Employment and Productivity Centre to promote and facilitate youth employment. Youth Access to Finance Program and National Policy on Volunteerism approved by Rwandan Cabinet. Establishment of IRVSDC to coach delinquent youth in acquiring life skills and vocational skills, for purposes of becoming economically- and socially-productive citizens. Implementation and coordination of youth-driven activities based on national priorities and represented through two major programs: 1) Youth Mobilization, Education and Youth Cooperation; and 2) Youth Economic Empowerment. 1.1 A central EDPRS II objective is to increase the quality of life of all Rwandans through rapid economic development and sustainable economic growth at 11.5% per annum and accelerated poverty reduction below 30%. 3.10 The Youth sector will endeavor to mainstream capacity building, gender and family, environment, climate change and disaster management, regional integration as well as HIV. In line with the Government of the Republic of Rwanda goal of attaining a green economy, the youth with undergo sensitization programs on environment, climate change and disaster management. This is to ensure that they do not impact the environment negatively and to continue in their endeavors to empower themselves economically.
Rwanda · 2013-07-01