General Assembly of JICA Alumni Association of Rwanda (JAAR) （6th July, 2014）
On 6th July, a special session of the General Assembly of JAAR (JICA Alumni Association of Rwanda) was held at the Umubano hotel in Kigali. JAAR was established in 2004 by some of the ex-participants in JICA trainings, and there are about 200 active members for now. JAAR has been striving to enhance socio-cultural ties between Japan and Rwanda as a professional network using their acquired experience through training in Japan or other countries. JAAR has officially obtained the status of a NGO from Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) on June 2014.
Ambassador Ogawa attended this General Assembly and made an opening speech. In his speech, he mentioned that he was able to join the Umuganda with JAAR last November, and some members of JAAR participated to the cultural event which was organized by the Embassy of Japan in Feburary. In addition, he expressed his appreciation of JAAR member’s contribution to the development of cordial relationship between Japan and Rwanda, and told them that he was expecting further contribution in the future.
In the General Assembly, some important topics were discussed including the coming activities such as cultural event, session to share their knowledge in Japan, a new pilot project named “National Center for capacity in food transformation”, community activity of tree plantation, launching of JAAR website and so on.
(Left : Ambassador Ogawa giving his opening speech, Right : General Assembly )
(Left : General Assembly, Right : Mr. Moriya JICA Chief Representative, in his closing remarks)