Rwanda NEC never looks back on BRIDGE as a professional development programme

Since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda has undertaken various governance reforms aimed at re-enforcing good governance and electoral democracy. Credible, peaceful and transparent elections are the foundation of democratic governance and sustainable development. It is for this reason that the National Electoral Commission (NEC) of Rwanda has been building Election management capacities of its staff through BRIDGE.

The National Electoral Commission of Rwanda with funding support from the Government through the National Capacity Building Secretariat (NCBS) organized two workshops on BRIDGE – Building Resources in Democracy Governance and   Elections module on Introduction to Electoral Administration.The first workshop took place from 7 – 10 February 2017 and the second one from 13-17 February 2017 in Rubavu, Rwanda.

The major objective of the BRIDGE Introduction to Electoral Management course was to provide capacity development as part of a refresher process for all new and old staff. They were timely done in preparation for the upcoming Presidential Elections in August 2017.

The first workshop was officially opened and closed by the NEC Chairperson Professor Kalisa Mbanda. The Deputy Executive Secretary Madam Immaculate Mukarurangwa followed with a welcome note and introductory remarks. The second Group was opened by the Vice Chairperson Rosalie Mukamazera and the Executive Secretary Mr Charles Munyaneza. The high level NEC officials were also participants throughout the workshop.

The participants included Commissioners from NEC and senior head office staff as well as Provincial and Districts officers who were in attendance received certificates of participation at the end of the event. Their presence and contributions tremendously enriched the deliberations.

The facilitators exhibited a good combination of professional experience and diverse backgrounds and expertise. Presentations were selected and conducted according to the focus agreed upon by NEC and facilitators.

Group 1 Facilitators

1. Rindai Chipfunde Vava:- (Female);(Consultant; Zimbabwe) – Lead Facilitator

2. Vestine Mujawamariya:- (Female )(NEC) – Workshop Accredited Facilitator

3. Jean De Dieu Rutatika:- (Male) (NEC) – Workshop Accredited Facilitator

Group 2 Facilitators

1. Rindai Chipfunde Vava:- (Female);(Consultant; Zimbabwe) – Lead Facilitator

2. Liberatha Irambona:- (Female )(NEC) – Workshop Accredited Facilitator

3. Jean Baptiste Munezero:- (Male) (NEC) – Workshop Accredited Facilitator

The first group had 24 participants (15 males and 8 females) participated in the workshop. Whilst the second group had 22 participants (9 females and 13 males)

The experience, content knowledge, commitment and enthusiasm demonstrated by all participants throughout the workshop contributed to the achievement of the aims of the training. The mixture of different organisational experiences and expertise contributed to the success of the workshop. The following were some some of the comments said about the two workshops:

Give few words that describes your experience

• Well co-ordinated and organised

• Wonderful Executed

• Excellent

• Rewarding

• Fulfilling

• Useful

• Interesting

• Satisfied

How did you find the course facilitation?

• Best approach to use adult learning methodologies

• This time around we had many areas we made use and application to Rwandan situation

• Informative use of regional examples

• Comprehensive and broad

• Use of international and local balanced team

• Experienced Facilitators

• Approachable Facilitators