01 December 2002

Since 1974, UN Volunteers have been active in Rwanda contributing to a variety of development projects, from teaching in rural communities to supporting small, medium and micro enterprises. However, in 1994 the UN Volunteers programme in the country took a dramatic turn in response to the aftermath of the genocide. More than 150 UN Volunteers were involved in resettling and reintegration activities and protecting the well-being of two million returning refugees. UN Volunteers were also involved in the promotion of human rights in collaboration with the United Nations Assistance Mission to Rwanda (UNAMIR), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP). Since 1995, long-term development projects have been reestablished and humanitarian interventions continue to employ a steady number of volunteers.

International Year of Volunteers (IYV)
During IYV 2001, many volunteer associations in Rwanda were created with support from the national steering committee. This allowed for the mobilization of all social classes in the country around the year's objectives. Continuing the theme of IYV, a solidarity camp gathering more than 100 participants was organized from 2-7 September 2002 in the City of Gisenyi. Discussion at the camp focused on the role of youth and volunteerism, the promotion of peace and reconciliation, and the mobilization of volunteers in communities. The camp, funded by the Belgian government, proved to be an effective method in continuing the momentum started by IVY 2001.

UN Volunteers activities 1996-2001:

UNV carried out projects aimed at enhancing the income-generating activities of mainly female genocide victims. UN Volunteers field workers helped reorganize and restructure 720 community-based and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) resulting in the development of many local enterprises. The development of training modules also enabled project participants to be trained in literacy, beekeeping, sewing, joinery, soap making, agriculture, and the breeding of fish, cattle and goat.
Volunteers organized an intensive 48-day literacy training programme resulting in 224 project partners receiving reading and writing skills. Training manuals were developed and copies were distributed to the project partners.
Twenty-two UN Volunteers served as professors at the National University of Rwanda and the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology. UNV's presence contributed substantially to the resumption of teaching activities at the post-secondary level.
Two volunteers assisted the Ministry of Finance and Economy in expanding the state and public investment budget. They were also instrumental in the drafting of the National Human Development report.
Volunteers established a legal assistance and representation fund to support the Kigali Bar Association in its efforts to help genocide accused and civil claimants in genocide trials.
UN Volunteers' current contribution to Rwanda
Today, there are 20 UN Volunteers serving in Rwanda working with UNHCR, UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). They are:

providing Information and Communications Technology (ICT) support under the framework of the Cisco-Learning Academies Programme;
fighting against HIV/AIDS and determining the socio-economic impact of the epidemic;
supporting other UN agencies and programmes (one UNV Programme Officer, based at the UNDP Country Office, represents UNV in Rwanda; UN Volunteer works as an operations officer with UNFPA);
promoting nutrition and food security; and
protecting the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons by providing expertise in the field of protection work, logistics and public information.
In addition,39 Rwandan nationals are working as international UN Volunteers supporting the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (15), the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (4) and the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (4). The remaining volunteers are assigned in Burundi, Comoros, East Timor, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, the Republic of South Africa, Somalia and Tajikistan.

UN Volunteers future role
It is anticipated UNV will expand its activities in Rwanda under the projects now formulated in the framework of the United Nations Development Framework 2002-2006. UNV has already received requests for a number of positions within the UNDP office. In addition, discussions are under way to define UNV's possible role in the process of decentralization in Rwanda and specifically for the province of Byumba. A meeting for the approval of the UNV-initiated project focused on strengthening the family and reintegration of street children will be held in the coming weeks. The implementation of this project will lead to the recruitment of a significant number of volunteers.