The Rwandan government launched on October 30, “Rwandapedia” a website “developed, owned and managed by Rwanda” where she gives her own version of the history of its development.
“Until lions have their own historians, the saying goes, history of hunting always glorify the hunter.” This philosophy is at the root of rwandapedia.rw project website officially launched on October 30 , on the sidelines of Transform Africa on new technologies.
This website, designed by the Office of the Spokesman of the Rwandan government – with the financial support of the African Development Bank – is the result of a year and a half of work. “It was developed by Rwanda, it is managed by Rwanda and is held by Rwanda, insisted Mushikiwabo , the spokesman of the government, at the launch party. It allows us, the Rwandans, of tell our story in our own way. “
This site slick design in English and Kinyarwanda tells the country through 23 items, which include a focus on “home grown solutions” dear to Kigali policies “house” inspired by the Rwandan tradition. Researchers, journalists, or simply curious, and can find information about the “Gacaca”, these popular tribunals for crimes committed during the 1994 genocide , or the “Girinka” program, which aims to distribute a cow ( animal revered in Rwandan culture) per poor family.
“We made sure that the items are clear and accessible to the greatest number, but also to provide all documentary sources, to enable those who wish to deepen,” said Joel Ndoli Pierre, in charge of project .
“It [Rwandapedia] is a means by which Rwandans can share the story of ourselves, our country, and especially our reconstruction journey, our development. It is done in a very transparent way, a credible way and it is accessible to all. It solves the problem of inconsistent and patchy record keeping during the post-genocide critical development period,” said Mushikiwabo.
Unlike the famous Wikipedia, Rwandapedia however, is not a collaborative site. Users are invited to send their contributions or comments, but they are filtered by the directors.
But maintaining the online archives needs more than the input of those who created it, but everyone’s contribution will make it go a long way. The tools are there (with the 4LTE technology) to spur this country’s development, we only need to set our priorities right. Otherwise, Rwandapedia and the 4G were the icing on the cake of a truly enriching technological week – Transform Africa Summit 2013.
Credit: Jeune Afrique
