UNDP Rwanda Newsletter , Issue 003/2007

July—September 2007

UNity in Diversity

RWANDA

Inside this issue:

Editorial ————————–——–-Page 1

A new push in investment and aid to achieve

the MDGs —–———————— Page 1

The Poverty Environment Initiative project

launched ———————————— Page 2

They have said—————–—–—— Page 2

UNDP Administrator to visit Rwanda in

October ——————–————--–Page 3

UNDP Staff trained on Gender

mainstreaming ————————–-Page 3

Welcome to News Staff —–—--———Page 4

For a greener office ———————–Page 4

A new push in investment and aid to achieve the MDGs is needed - 2007 NHDR .

the views of UNDP nor the government or the

National University of Rwanda

The report reveals that the Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs) can still be achieved

in Rwanda, even within reasonable assumptions

about economic growth and development aid.

However, achieving this will require us to break

with the “business as usual” approach to

development assistance, and create a mutually

accountable partnership for human development.

The Report has been released at the particular

time when Rwanda was finalizing the Economic

Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy

document which focuses on economic growth,

poverty reduction, and governance.

Given the extent of poverty and the small size of

the private sector, the bulk of these investments

would have to be carried out by the public sector.

This would imply a substantial and rapid scaling

up of public investments.

Talking to the journalists, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Hon James Musoni said: “Rwanda needs to increase investments in development sectors mainly in agriculture”. He however regretted the high population growth rate which does go at the same pace with economic growth. He urged the population and development partners to support government endeavors to solve

the high population growth problem.

The National Human Development

Report 2007 released on 26 July

2007 in Kigali has called for a new

agenda of scaling up of investment,

increase in the quantity and quality of

Official Development Assistance. The

r epo r t u r ge s deve lopmen t

stakeholders in Rwanda to promote a

greater coordination and management

of aid.

The report entitled “Turning Vision

2020 into Reality. From Recovery

t o S u s t a i n a b l e H u m a n

D e v e l o p m e n t ” h a s b e e n

commissioned by the United Nations

Development Programme (UNDP) in

Rwanda and prepared by a group of

researchers from the National

University of Rwanda.

“The report constitutes a rigorous and

objective piece of research, which

takes a hard look at the facts, as they

are, without trying to embellish them

or tweak them to suite one or the

other interest”, said Moustapha

S o uma r é , UNDP R e s i d e n t

Representative at the launch event.

He emphasized on the independence

of the report, which represents neither

Editorial Editorial Editorial Editorial

Rwanda is striving to achieve the

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

set for 2015 and it is own Vision 2020.

Already the new generation Poverty

Reduction Strategy, the EDPRS, was

validated by the Cabinet in September 2007.

As for the United Nations System in

Rwanda, the new United Nations

Development Assistance Framework

(UNDAF) has been finalized and the

Country Programme Document in the

framework of the “One UN—Delivering as

One” was validated in September.

On UNDP side, its own Country

Programme Document was formulated and

approved by its board. In view of the above,

all seems to be in place for Rwanda to

embark on a new pace that can speed up

progress towards the MDGs in Rwanda.

This can be possible if the strategies

included in all those fantastic documents

are well implemented and only if all

stakeholders in the development process

play their role and honour their

commitment to the Millennium

Declaration.

UNDP and sister agencies are committed

to supporting Rwanda in the struggle to

eradicate poverty and build a bright future

for Rwanda. As we deliver as One, we

will work with our partners in

development as we push forward the

development agenda of Rwanda.

The Redaction

Hon. James Musoni (left) and Moustapha Soumaré

(right) presenting the report after its release

UNDP Rwanda Newsletter , Issue 003/2007 July September 2007 Page 2

The Poverty Environment Initiative project launched in Rwanda

The second phase of the Rwanda Poverty and

Environment Initiative (PEI II) was launched on Wednesday 01 August 2007 in Kigali. The programme aims to enhance the contribution of sound environmental management to poverty reduction, sustainable economic growth and achievement of the Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs).

The programme is led by the Ministry of Lands, Environment, Forests, Water and Mines (MINITERE) and the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), and aims at integrating environment into national policy and district planning,

policy and budget processes.

The main purpose of the first phase was to ensure the integration of environment into the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) during its formulation phase. The second Phase will be articulated around Rwanda’s medium term needs, namely capacity building for environmental mainstreaming and sound environmental management at the local, district, and national level, to enable successful implementation of the EDPRS and its environmental commitments.

“The UNDP and UNEP partnership under the Poverty Environment Initiative programme has evidently facilitated participating countries including Rwanda to approach poverty reduction strategies through integration of environment in national policy, planning and budgetary processes”, said Patricia Hajabakiga, Minister of State in Charge of

Land and Environment.

“I hope the Poverty Environment Initiative project will contribute to prevent in more efficient and effective way to the environmental and economic risks we face and will contribute to the achievement of our long-term goals such as the EDPRS and the MDGs and the establishment of the healthy sustainable development and prosperity of this country”, added

Soumaré.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Hon. James Musoni, appreciated the continued support given by UN agencies in various fields and particularly the environment sector. “This project is a clear testimony of how UN has regarded environment management as cornerstone to sustainable

development”, said the Minister.

He added that Poverty Reduction and Environment are placed high priority among the development priorities of the Government of Rwanda. “This project fits well in the framework of the EDPRS where all the sectors will have linkages to reduce poverty through enhancing sound environment management, promoting sustainable economic growth with ultimate target of achieving the Millennium

Development Goals”, Musoni said.

This second phase will run over 3 years for a total budget of US$ 2,3 Million from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UNDP.

The second phase of the PEI has five main outputs: an improved capacity within key ministries and institutions to understand and analyse links between poverty and environment and to integrate environment into policymaking, planning and budgets; an improved capacity at district level to understand and analyse links between poverty and environment and to integrate environment into development planning; an increased awareness and more effective participation of stakeholders in environmental policy and planning processes at both district and national level; an improved national funding levels for investing in environmental sustainability; and an improved capacity for monitoring poverty and environment linkages at both national and

district level.

“Environmental degradation is directly linked to impoverishment of the people, many of them relying on the natural resources” said Mustapha Soumaré, UNDP

Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator.

Minister of Finance James Musoni (left) and the

UNDP Resident Representative signing the project

They have said on Environment ...They have said on Environment ...They have said on Environment ...They have said on Environment ...

K e m a l D e r v i ş UNDP Administrator

It is no longer a question mark

scientifically: climate change is happening

– slowly - but it is happening. It is slow,

but it is accelerating, and I don’t think we

can deny that it does represent a major

challenge to the human community.

H.E. Paul Kagame P r e s i d e n t o f t he Rep u b l i c o f Rwanda

“When we measure the gap between

R w a n d a ’ s v i s i o n o f s o u n d

environmental management and where

we currently stand, it is evident that

many challenges remain”.

Mr. Ban Ki-Moon

UN Secretary General

“We must be guided by the reality that

inaction now will prove the costliest

action of all in the long term”.

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UNDP Rwanda Newsletter , Issue 003/2007 July - September 2007 Page 3

In the city of Kigali, the Administrator will UUUUNNNNDDDDPPPP RRRRwwwwaaaannnnddddaaaa ggggooooeeeessss GGGGrrrreeeeeeeennnn

A workshop on gender mainstreaming for

UNDP Staff started at UNDP Rwanda on 5 July 2007 for two days. The objective of the workshop was two fold: The purpose of the gender training is twofold: to extend basic understanding and knowledge of gender issues and gender terms, and to increase gender mainstreaming capacity of the office, in particular for programme staff and

management.

As participants have varied levels of understanding and experiences of gender equality and gender mainstreaming, the workshop aimed at ensuring that all staff have a general understanding of gender equality, women’s empowerment and how to bring these issues into their own work through gender

mainstreaming.

Opening the workshop, the Resident Representative, Mr. Moustapha Soumaré called

upon all staff to take seriously this training and

to actively participate as gender mainstreaming

is critical for UNDP work.

“It is up to us to identify the impact of our programs” said Luke Wasonga adding that the approach of mainstreaming gender in all our programmes is crucial for attaining development objectives. “We should look at how to incorporate gender issues in all our programs, both ongoing and pipelines projects”,

Wasonga said.

One of the facilitators of the workshop, Stephanie Urdang said “Gender analysis is a socio-economic analysis”, explaining its

relevance in every development programme.

The 2 day workshop has allowed UNDP staff to better understand the concept of gender mainstreaming and acquired tools and skills to make a gender analysis and to engender their

daily work and activities.

They expressed the need to associate the projects staff as gender mainstreaming cannot succeed unless all involved parties are gender sensitive in all they do. The project staffs need thus this kind of workshop to allow them to strategically implement gender sensitive

activities.

Gender Mainstreaming has been recognised by the UN as a globally accepted strategy for promoting gender equality. UNDP Rwanda has committed to this strategy by developing a Country Office Gender Mainstreaming

Strategy for 2007-2012.

UNDP Staff Trained on Gender mainstreaming

Staff actively participated to the workshop.

Here a participant during a group work

UNDP Administrator to UNDP Administrator to UNDP Administrator to UNDP Administrator to

visit Rwanda in Octobervisit Rwanda in Octobervisit Rwanda in Octobervisit Rwanda in October

UNDP Administrator, Mr. Kemal Derviş, will visit Rwanda from 11 to 13 October 2007 as part of his African tour to three out of four African “One UN – Delivering as One” pilot Countries. During his three days visit, the Administrator will hold high level discussions with various partners of the ‘One UN – Delivering as One’ initiative. He will share views with the Rwandan officials, civil society organizations and private sector representatives, the donor community and the UN Country Team on the status of the progress of the reforms at country level and on their existing

cooperation with UNDP.

Mr. Kemal Derviş, UNDP Administrator The Administrator will be accompanied by the UNDP Africa Regional Director, Mr. Gilbert Houngbo, will visit a number of UN supported projects in the Western and Eastern Province as well as in the City of Kigali. In the Western Province, the delegation will visit an environment management programme at the decentralized level along the shores of Lake Kivu. In the Eastern Province, the delegation will visit the Millennium Village project in Mayange, to see how coordinated efforts towards achieving the MDGs can positively change the lives of the people.

A new push in investment A new push in investment A new push in investment A new push in investment

and aid to achieve the and aid to achieve the and aid to achieve the and aid to achieve the

MDGs is needed MDGs is needed MDGs is needed MDGs is needed Continued from

page 1

Rwanda has achieved remarkable results in areas such the access to education, gender equality and democratic governance. According to the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, some targets of Vision 2020 have already been achieved. It is the case of the life expectancy that has shifted from 39 years to 51 years today. It is also the case of target of reducing HIV/AIDS prevalence to only 6% while the current prevalence rate is of 3%. In some sectors progress has been recorded but the target is still to be met. It is the case of the number of people living of agriculture that has to drop from 90% to 50%

by 2020.

Participants recommended the next report to take into account the gender dimension of human development as well as job employment mainly for the youth. The report stimulated discussions among stakeholders which enriched their experience and gave new ideas for the next National Human

Development Report.

In the city of Kigali, the Administrator will attend to a gacaca court session and visit the e-parliament project. He will also hold discussions with the two bureaus of the Rwandan parliament and with the Forum for

Women Parliamentarians (FFRP).

The objective of the “One UN – Delivering as One” pilot is to improve the impact, coherence, efficiency and positioning of the UN system in Rwanda to enable it to better help Rwanda speed up progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Rwanda Vision 2020.

UNDP Rwanda goes GreenUNDP Rwanda goes GreenUNDP Rwanda goes GreenUNDP Rwanda goes Green

UNDP Rwanda has started its

greening initiative

Greening the office needs to be at the center of all UNDP Rwanda business processes. The organization is aware that the burden on the environment caused

by greenhouse emissions can be

catastrophic if not dealt with adequately.

In order to become a carbon-neutral

organization, UNDP Rwanda is committed to not only reduce environment burden caused by its daily activities but also offset those emissions by example planting trees. According to a few UNDP country offices experience, flight trips generate the highest burden in terms of

Co2 production.

UNDP strategy to make the office greener include decreasing the Country Office environmental impact through saving of resources (electricity, water, paper, etc.)

and increase “Co2” performance, integrating and applying environment-friendly principles in procurement and supporting the setting up of a “Greening

the One UN”.

Some tips for greening the office:

• If you have to print a document or

email, just print the text you need

• Turn off your monitor when you go

for lunch, a meeting or even a tea

break

• Turn off your PC if you're not going

to be using it for a few hours

• Make the most of natural lighting -

open the blinds

UNDP Rwanda Newsletter , Issue 003/2007 July September 2007 Page 4

UNDP Rwanda Newsletter , Issue 003/2007 July September 2007 Page 4

S t a f f N e w s S t a f f N e w s S t a f f N e w s S t a f f N e w s

M. Paul Farran, said good bye to Rwanda and in particular to the Aid Coord ina t ion Uni t where he has stayed for

2 years as programme Associate.

Staff at UNDP will remember Paul for his valuable contributions to the coordination of aid and the good partnerships he has developed with various development partners. He will be missed by all who used to work closely with him at UNDP and the External Finance Unit in the

Ministry of Finance.

Paul has left for a new appointment in

Afghanistan.

Ms. Carrie Taylor is

the new Project

Manager for the

DFID/UNDP

Programme for Strengthening Good

Governance project.

Before joining UNDP Rwanda, Carrie was a Programme Officer in Governance for UNDP Barbados and the OECS. She has also worked for the Conference Board of Canada, CIDA, and OXFAM, amongst others. Carrie holds a Masters Degree in International Affairs (International Political Economy) from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton

University, Ottawa, Canada.

Ms Robin Ogilvy joins the office as Head of the Aid Coordination Unit. Prior to joining UNDP, Robin worked in Rwanda as a Fellow of the Overseas Develop-ment Institute (London), building capacities for aid management in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics and sociology from the University of Cambridge, and is a dual British / French national. In his spare time, Robin enjoys running, travel and

learning (very slowly!) Kinyarwanda.

Giving the cup to the winner of the championship, the Deputy Resident Representative / Operations, Safiou Esso thanked all participants for their

participation.

He said management will support such activities as they are in line with the office work-life balance

strategy.

This newsletter is published quarterly by the United Nations Development Programme in Rwanda,

P.O.Box 445 Kigali, Rwanda

Director of publication: Moustapha Soumaré

Chief Editor: Jean de Dieu Kayiranga

For more information: Please contact <jean.kayiranga@undp.org> ,

Tel.(+250)590440,(+250)08455778—Website: www.unrwanda.org/undp. ©UNDP 2007

Ping-Pong championship ends

The ping-pong championship that started in

June 2007 ended in October 2007. The contesters of the games were awarded

various prizes on October 5.

Jean de Dieu Kayiranga, who won the first “Staff Association Championship cup” was awarded beside the cup, an envelope of

30,000 Rwandan francs.

The second place was won by Chrys Birasa who was awarded 20,000 Rwf of cash while the 3rd place was won by Fidele Habimana

with a prize worth 10,000 francs.

Jean de Dieu Kayiranga holding the

cup - looking on is Safiou Esso, the

Deputy Resident Representative/

Operations

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience

and resources to help people build a better life.

In Rwanda, UNDP is an effective partner of the people of Rwanda in the accomplishment of national priorities and the Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs) through strengthening national capacities and governance for sustainable development.

By 2015, let’s achieve the Millennium Development Goals by Keeping the Promise: