INTRODUCTION

Paper drafted by Dr. Erasme Rwanamiza, Director General of Education Planning in the Ministry of Education, in reference to talking points he developed for and delivered at the ceremony of closing IRDP’s 2013 National Creative Arts Competition in Schools that was be held in IRDP’s premises at Gisozi on 15th September 2013, where he was representing the Hon. Minister of Education. This event was also an occasion to celebrate the International Peace Day around the topic ‘Education for Peace’. The Representative of the Swedish Cooperation was also present at the event where she delivered some remarks at the opening just before the Opening Remarks that were made by the Hon. Minister of Youth and ICT.

INTRODUCTION

A family is the foundation of any society. It is an entity that gives real meaning to life and existence. As such, it constitutes the cornerstone of any social system. A family is not a casual or spontaneous organization of people but a divinely ordained institution. The foundation of a family is based on marriage, which is a right to every human being (Haralambos and Holborn, 2008).

The above definition brings out two closely related but separate concepts―family and marriage. The concept of family envisages a more complex system of relationships than marriage because it usually brings together not only the couple but also their children and other relatives and friends. In addition, a family acts as a social unit of society, which is usually very close “to the original” model of the entire society in which it operates

INTRODUCTION

Participation and democracy are closely related concepts. Democracy as a concept has been used to emphasize citizens‟ participation in choosing their representatives. In light of political evolution and economic development, democracy implies citizens‟ participation in choosing their representatives, in the design, implementation and evaluation of programmes and policies.

In theory, the local population, who vote play a key role in the decision-making process in matters related to citizens‟ welfare. Voters appoint and dismiss their representatives through the ballot, depending on the promises and/or performance of the elected. Citizens express their decision through a free and fair vote. The votes have the same value for all political organizations who subscribe to the principle of one man one vote. The political bond which unites all citizens considered as equal is the basis for the democracy concept, a contract advocated by Jean Jacques Rousseau. Democratic societies usually ensure that citizens participate equally and play a key role in deciding the future of their country.

Since the 1980s, donors adopted participation as a prerequisite for supporting developing countries. This approach has its consequences. Most developing countries did not trust the idea of tying financial support to participation and putting in place preconditions, which distort the idea behind the principle of participation.