The cultural policy reinforces the cooperation with other sister countries giving priority to countries in the region. As such, initiatives have been undertaken to enhance this cooperation such as the East African Community Arts and Culture Festival (JAMAFEST).
Rwanda’s Cultural policy seeks to engage public, private and other stakeholders in their respective fields of intervention: education, employment, new technologies, statistics, foreign affairs, trade, etc. The Ministry revised the cultural policy in 2012, after Rwanda has ratified the Convention 2005 on Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, in order to readjust and incorporate the present realities of the fast growing creative industry sector. Therefore, the revised policy constitutes the main mirror of the cultural expressions. Cultural policy is adapting to new challenges whereby the development of a cultural strategy is mandatory with emphasis on concepts like strengthening the fight against copyright piracy, establishment of institutions to better involve cultural professionals and civil society. Rwanda Academy of Language and Culture, Rwanda Arts Council, Media High Council are some of the institutions established for the purpose empowering cultural professionals.
Rwanda has focussed on the upgrading of national cultural expressions and popular participation in cultural activities as a means to promote dialogue and unity. Throughout the year, MINISPOC organizes several awareness initiatives countrywide. The country also focuses on education and training for all young Rwandans at all levels. Arts education has been introduced in primary and secondary as well as in higher education. Some of the examples of such initiatives include education for reading and writing (L3) Initiative, Rwanda Book Initiative, technical training to artistic professions and communication (Miss Geek, Digital Media Academy) among others.
There have been efforts to promote culture through initiatives that impact on the social cultural and economic standards of the population, including cultural and artistic festivals such as Umuganura celebration and the Pan-African Dance Festival (FESPAD).
The cultural policy reinforces the cooperation with other sister countries giving priority to countries in the region. As such, initiatives have been undertaken to enhance this cooperation such as the East African Community Arts and Culture Festival (JAMAFEST).
Rwanda’s Cultural policy seeks to engage public, private and other stakeholders in their respective fields of intervention: education, employment, new technologies, statistics, foreign affairs, trade, etc.