Willy Mugenzi
Revitalization of Homegrown Initiatives and Decolonization in Rwanda
A central argument can be made - the post-genocide Rwanda prioritized the revitalization of Homegrown Initiatives (HGIs) as a pathway for decolonization. Rebuilding the post-genocide Rwanda centered on HGIs – “endogenous solutions,” is constitutionally provided for, specifically in Article 11 and article 139 (Keverline & Sully, 2023:54). Other crucial reasons abound. Homegrown Initiatives constitute Rwanda’s genocide prevention strategy and, there is a generalizable consensus amongst policymakers, scholars and practitioners, that HGIs have accelerated recovery, reconciliation and development. Overall, the purpose of this paper is to highlight how Rwanda’s HGIs contribute to decolonization in post-genocide Rwanda. Two specific objectives are explored: first, to highlight Rwanda’s HGIs as decolonizing agents. Secondly, to demonstrate how they (HGIs) have contributed to genocide prevention and accelerated post-genocide recovery and set Rwanda on a development trajectory. Evidence therein is informed by documents systematically reviewed (policies, laws, technical reports, scholarly articles) and anecdotal evidence. The analysis of the foregoing will be proceeded by lessons learned and recommendations. Invariably, the latter align with objectives.
Biography
Dr. Willy Mugenzi (PhD) is Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Rwanda Cooperations Initiative (RCI). RCI’s mandate is to promote knowledge sharing of Rwanda’s Homegrown Solutions and good practices. Mugenzi is a researcher and scholar of peace and conflict studies, certified Mediator by Rwanda Supreme Court, a Board Member of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (2023). He is the founder of the African Peace and Prosperity Institute (APPI). He is a visiting professor of New Tendencies in Peace and Development at Jaume University (Spain). Mugenzi has a PhD in Peace & Conflict Studies, two Masters (MPC), Master’s in project planning & management, Professional Certification in Strategy, Management & Leadership and he is a certified M&E Specialist. Formerly, he taught Social Justice and Peace (Kenya), Peace and Conflict Management, Conflict Prevention and Conflict Transformation (UR, Rwanda). His research interests relate to exploring the nexus between peace and prosperity and the intimate relationship between HGIs, Development and Peacebuilding. He has consulted for the World Bank, UNICEF, UNDP and worked with EAC (Kenya) and NBI (Uganda). He speaks and writes English (Very Good), French (Good), Swahili (Fair) & Spanish (fair).