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REPUBLIC OF RWANDA

MINISTRY OF SPORTS AND CULTURE BP: 1044 KIGALI TEL: 583525/583513 Fax:583518

POLICY ON CULTURAL HERITAGE

September 2008

CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 4 1.1. Definition of Cultural Heritage ..................................................... 4 1.2. Contexts ........................................................................................ 6 2. OVERALL GUIDELINES ......................................................................... 9 2.1. Vision 2020 .................................................................................. 9 2.2. National Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) and National Investment Strategy (SNI).................................................................. 10 2.3. Seven-Year Government Programme ....................................... 10 2.4. International Development Goals (MDGs, NEPAD, UNESCO, the Cultural Charter for Africa)................................................................. 11 3. PRESENTING THE CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR ........................... 12 3.1. Statement of the problem of the cultural heritage sector ....... 13 3.2. Constraints and opportunities in the cultural sector ............... 13 4. PRINCIPLES OF THE POLICY ON CULTURAL HERITAGE ................... 16 4.1. Principles relating to intangible cultural heritage .................... 16 4.2. Principles relating to physical cultural heritage ....................... 17 4.3. Cultural tourism related principle and marketing .................... 18 5. VISION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR ........................................ 19 6. MISSION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR .................................... 19 7. OBJECTIVES OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR ....................... 19 7.2. Specific objectives...................................................................... 19 8. COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIES FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR ................................................................................................................. 21 8.1. Strategies on developing adequate and qualified human resources: ........................................................................................... 21 8.2. Strategies relating to maintaining and enhancing tangible and intangible cultural heritage ............................................................... 21 - Update the inventory of immovable cultural heritage; ............. 21 8.3. Strategies relating to promoting Rwandas cultural values and encouraging their implementation in daily life: ............................... 22 8.4. Strategies relating to adopting a legal and regulatory framework in connection with cultural heritage: ............................. 22 2

8.5. Strategies relating to promoting regional and international cooperation on cultural heritage: ...................................................... 22 9. PROGRAMS OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR ............................... 23 10. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY ON CULTURAL HERITAGE ...... 23 10.1. Institutional framework ........................................................... 23 10.2. Monitoring and evaluation ...................................................... 24 10.3. Objectively verifiable indicators .............................................. 25 11. CONCLUSION ................................................................................... 26

POLICY ON CULTURAL HERITAGE

1. INTRODUCTION Before the colonial era, Rwanda was, unquestionably, a nation-state with a people sharing the same religious beliefs, the same traditions, same customs, speaking the same language, Kinyarwanda, in short, having a same culture. To consolidate their power, colonizers and missionaries have, from the outset, sought to blot out the identity and collective memory of Rwandans. Thus, many traditional cultural practices such as worship for ancestors were described as wild and pagan, and in some places trees and sacred places were destroyed. The Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 4 June 2003, as amended to date, reaffirms Governments commitment to protecting sound traditional and cultural practices based on Rwandan philosophy and culture in general. The Constitution stipulates that Government has the obligation to ensure preservation of its cultural heritage, memorials and sites of genocide. Today, more than ever before, the Ministry holding Culture within its remit, strongly upholds that cultural heritage in both its material and immaterial aspects and as a resonant expression of a peoples identity, constitutes a determining factor for unity, national reconciliation and contributes to national development and to a shared brighter future. 1.1. Definition of Cultural Heritage In civil law, for a legislator, heritage means a set of assets and obligations of a person, conceived as a universal right, i.e. as moving structure whose assets and liabilities can not be separated. Therefore, heritage refers to the idea of a legacy of past generations which

we must transmit intact onto future generations. It therefore goes beyond the mere personal property. According to UNESCO, the following are regarded as components of cultural heritage: - Monuments: architectural works, works of monumental sculpture and painting, elements or structures of an archaeological nature, inscriptions, caves and combinations of elements, which are of outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art or of science; Buildings: groups of separate or connected buildings which, because of their architecture, their homogeneity or their place in the landscape, are of outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art or of science; Sites: works of man or the combined works of man and nature, and areas including archaeological sites which are of outstanding universal value from a historical, aesthetic, ethnological or anthropological point of view.

UNESCO further defines "intangible cultural heritage" as practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and know-how as well as related instruments, objects, artefacts and related cultural spaces recognised by communities, groups and, where necessary, by individuals as part of their cultural heritage. This intangible cultural heritage, transmitted from generation to generation, is constantly maintained by communities and groups according to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history, and gives them a sense of identity and continuity, hence contributing to enhanced respect for cultural diversity and human creativity. In short, heritage is any object or collection, whether natural or cultural, tangible or intangible, recognized by a community for its values of testimony and historical memory hence the need to protect, preserve, enhance and transmit it onto descendants.

1.2. Contexts 1.2.1. National Context

Rwandans, anywhere and through the ages, are proud of their identity, but because of the history of their country, young Rwandans do not know much of their rich cultural heritage. Achievements of the National Cultural Troupe are one expression of such cultural treasures. As part of promotion of cultural heritage and exchange between African cultures, from 1998, the African Union (formerly OAU) has made Kigali, the capital of African Dance. In this connection, Rwanda organises every two years, the Pan-African Festival of Dance (FESPAD) in which artists from across the continent and even those from the Diaspora meet in Rwanda to present and perform, before the public attending this event, African cultural diversity from their respective countries. 1.2.2. Socio-economic context

- Rwandas cultural heritage contributes to national economic growth through the upgrading of several elements including: Patterned decoration following the hand-woven basket Agaseke, cultural techniques and making performing arts profitable; Ubudehe was a mode of collective work geared towards production using combined forces of a group. This practice has its origins in the socio-economic history of Rwanda. Umuganura, formerly national holiday for cereal harvest (sorghum and finger millet /eleusine), it was an expression of community identity and emphasised the importance of economic production as a family. - Through cultural tourism, cultural heritage refers, in the same capacity as

other productive sectors, to job creation and sale of handicraft products, etc. - It also promotes creation of new infrastructure allowing more economic benefits for the site and surrounding community. - It contributes to environmental management and enables rational use of local natural resources and development of ecotourism. - The management and conservation of heritage promote research in various scientific fields (history, sociology, anthropology, archaeology ...).

1.2.3. Socio-political context

Rwanda seeks to develop and resolve conflicts arising from among its people based on inherited cultural methods and systems. The elements below can serve as examples: Gacaca: this traditional popular court was a way to do justice applied in the Western legal system. The typically Rwandan judicial system, which has its roots in the ancestral cultural heritage, is currently applied as a mechanism to ensure reconciliation among Rwandans after the genocide against Tutsi in 1994. Abunzi: once, within Rwandan society when a conflict arose between neighbours or between families, wise men, of moral integrity and without bias, acted as mediators to reconcile conflicting parties before their disputes would cause serious damage. Therefore, Government of Rwanda has adopted this model to encourage settlement of cultural conflict between citizens. Imihigo: performance contract currently signed between the employer and employee is taken from the inherited cultural model of work tailored towards perfection. Thus, this system of

work encouraged Rwandans to always be elites "Intore" in everything they undertook. Itorero: institution that the Government wishes to make operational throughout the country and which is based on a model of the traditional Rwandan school young people had to attend to prepare their future lives by sharpening their knowledge, know-how, social life for the benefit of the country. They also learned the art of public speaking, games, etc.

1.2.4. Regional and international context

Some aspects of Rwandas cultural heritage are similar to a few elements in the region or elsewhere. This is why, when doing research on cultural heritage, a comparative approach is necessary: - Rwanda shares the same values with other countries in the region: the case of Kinyarwanda which is also spoken in a few countries in the region; - It shared, with other countries in the region, certain cultural practices, for instance, the worship for Lyangombe (Kubandwa) and worship for ancestors guterekera; - At social level, Rwanda shared with other countries in the region, an organization with similar elements: clan or family; - It has cross-border natural sites: Volcano Park located astride Rwanda on the one hand, DRC and Uganda, on the other. As part of protecting cultural heritage, Rwanda has already ratified some international conventions: The Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954);

 The Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972); The Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (1970). Rwanda should also ratify the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003), while proposing for inclusion on the World Heritage List, some of its tangible and intangible cultural property. 2. OVERALL GUIDELINES

The policy on cultural heritage is an integral part of the National Policy on Culture. It sets out broad guidelines of the sector and provides a solid foundation for its sustainable development and takes into account the national and international guidelines such as: 2.1. Vision 2020

Under Vision 2020, cultural heritage is described in a comprehensive framework that makes Rwanda: - A nation founded, for several centuries, on a shared history, having shared values and a shared vision of the world; - A country with inclusive identity. Vision 2020 states, inter alia, that its aspirations are to make Rwanda a country proud of its fundamental values with no discrimination among citizens. In this instance, cultural heritage is highlighted and is, with

no doubt, regarded as a cornerstone for a prosperous Nation built on solid heritage. 2.2. National Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) and National Investment Strategy (SNI) Cultural heritage is an efficient contribution to poverty reduction as it lays a solid foundation for national harmony to ensure sustainable development. It generates income through visits to historic and cultural sites, establishment of shops and sales of handicrafts in the vicinity of sites. Cultural heritage offers tremendous opportunities for economic development, including through cultural tourism and cultural industry. For the moment, the most important challenge to be addressed is to find both national and international investors who can invest in this buoyant sector, with resources so far untapped. Furthermore, relevance of cultural heritage in development was highlighted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 26 August to 4 September 2002: indeed, cultural heritage has been positioned as the 4th pillar of sustainable development, behind economy, environment and social affairs. 2.3. Seven-Year Government Programme The Seven-Year Government Programme includes cultural heritage in general through the following activities: Establish Rwanda Academy for Culture and Language; Sensitise parents and educators on learning and teaching cultural values to children and youth using written documents and various debates; Sensitise Rwandans and particularly State institutions on the protection of historical and cultural events and sites; Sensitise investors to develop tourism / cultural industries and strengthen existing ones.

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2.4. International Development Goals (MDGs, NEPAD, UNESCO, the Cultural Charter for Africa) 2.4.1. The Cultural Charter for Africa The Cultural Charter for Africa encourages African Union Member States to rehabilitate, restore, preserve and promote cultural heritage while developing, within itself, all the dynamic values and rejecting anything that is a hindrance to progress. It also supports its protection at both legal and practical level under the best standards applicable in this area. 2.4.2. MDGs (Millennium Development Goals)

In all its aspects, cultural heritage is part of priorities of MDGs. These stipulate that: - Cultural heritage is a potential reservoir for development though largely untapped so far; - In the ongoing decentralization process, grassroots authorities have a crucial role to play in designing strategies to protect cultural heritage, promote cultural identity for improved quality of peoples lives; - Regarding planning tools and projects, cultural heritage should be taken into account to improve peoples living conditions; - The role of local communities in heritage management should be strengthened; - Cultural heritage should become a strategic component of development plans at grassroots level therefore contributing to enhanced dialogue among nations. 2.4.3. NEPAD (New Economic Partnership for Africas Development) NEPAD places cultural heritage at the fore front as a factor for peace and national harmony. It also advocates for preservation of traditional cultural practices likely to contribute to enhanced national identity, cultural diversity and dialogue among nations.

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2.4.4. UNESCO This Organisation pays special attention to various forms of cultural heritage. These include: - Fighting against global threats that may affect the World Cultural and Natural Heritage or disappearance of any form of intangible heritage. It also attaches great importance to the sites and monuments, because they contribute to social cohesion, dialogue and cultural diversity among peoples. Ensuring that living expressions, traditions that a people or a community has received from his ancestors and passed on to their descendants, often transmitted by word of mouth, are jealously protected, because they give to each of the depositories a sense of identity and continuity, through its ownership and perpetuation, for present and future generations. UNESCO also contributes to the fight against theft, looting, illegal import and export of cultural property, which often occur at archaeological sites in public and private collections, in religious buildings, in cultural institutions (case of museums) etc. and encourages return of such property in their countries of origin.

Lets recall that, to ensure sustainable principles to protect tangible and intangible cultural heritage: The United Nations proclaimed 2002 the International Year of Cultural Heritage and invited UNESCO to be a leader; The United Nations have proclaimed 2008 the International Year of Languages.

3. PRESENTING THE CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR Rwandas cultural heritage, seen from a general perspective, is rich and diversified. But it has, for long, been regarded as being a sector of minor

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importance, and, because of such consideration, failed to play its basic role of developing the nation. However, there is no doubt cultural heritage is one of the main pillars for sustainable development. 3.1. Statement of the problem of the cultural heritage sector National cultural heritage has long been an area whose products were insignificant compared to its share in national development. As an indication, until 1994, Rwanda had no strategic plan for development of its cultural and historical sites. Apart from folklore, for a long time ever, little was known of Rwandas cultural heritage both at national and international level, for various reasons: - There never have been any strategies and mechanisms for the management and conservation, preservation and enhancement of cultural heritage; - Cultural heritage is not incorporated into the development plan at the level of provinces and districts; - Development of cultural heritage was seen by some people as a return to tradition, especially after the abolition of the monarchy and recovery of independence; - Cultural heritage was not considered to be one of the main pillars of sustainable national development. 3.2. Constraints and opportunities in the cultural sector 3.2.1. Constraints - Insufficient human resources The sector suffers from a serious lack of human resources in the area of cultural heritage management and conservation. This deficiency is a major obstacle to development. - Inappropriate regulatory instrument So far, Rwandas cultural heritage is governed by the Law-Decree of 16/08/1939 on protection of sites, monuments and production of

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indigenous art. This text is no longer appropriate and is obsolete as it dates back to colonial era. - Misappreciation of cultural heritage Most people consider folklore to be the sum total of Rwandas cultural heritage ignoring the rich and diverse immovable cultural heritage found in all districts of the country, tangible property exhibited in our museums, knowledge and traditions held by some Rwandans. - Traditional cultural practices qualified as paganism Due to the influence of imported religions, several traditional cultural practices are not implemented because they were despised, treated as being wild and contrary to civilization". - Destruction of public buildings regarded as cultural heritage During construction of buildings in urban centres or other activities carried out in rural areas, some elements of cultural heritage were destroyed; There is also need to point out that destroying heritage amounts to violating conscience and mind of a nation rendering its history and identity barely distinguishable. 3.2.2. Potential Rwandas cultural heritage is rich and diversified; it contains: Tangible cultural heritage : Sacred hills, forests and trees with legendary history; traditional huts and royal palace; churches and other colonial buildings; caves and rocks with bas-reliefs marking the legendary or historical events that have occurred on the site; thermal springs and wells used for ritual purposes; genocide memorial sites; Etc.

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 Intangible cultural heritage : national language spoken and understood by all Rwandans; cultural practices and traditional techniques highly appreciable; oral traditions; highly developed performing arts whose fame transcends national borders (case of the dance of the Intore); habits and customs; developed traditional institutions (ubwiru, ubusizi ...)

Rwandas cultural heritage potential :

- Existence of a national policy on culture: since 2006, Rwanda has a national policy on culture which outlines the guidelines, principles and vision of the sector. - An inventory of immovable cultural heritage made in 2004, Rwanda has carried out its inventory of immovable cultural heritage. The inventory should be regularly updated. - Political will: Government through the Ministry holding cultural heritage and public institutions entrusted with such heritage are willing to safeguard and promote Rwandas cultural heritage. - An area with resources still untapped: it is worth investing in the area of cultural heritage as it is a new sector with opportunities to capitalise on. - International support: after the agreement on some international conventions related to cultural heritage, international institutions are willing to support Rwanda in the process of developing this sector: ICCROM, UNESCO, etc.

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4. PRINCIPLES OF THE POLICY ON CULTURAL HERITAGE

Principles of the policy on cultural heritage include: 4.1. Principles relating to intangible cultural heritage 4.1.1. Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage The policy on cultural heritage should consolidate the benefits from the heritage left by our ancestors to sustain Rwandan identity over the years. 4.1.2. Protection and promotion of mother tongue Extensive research in linguistics should be made which will consider measures to safeguard dying local dialects: case of Ikirashi and Ikinyambo spoken in the Eastern Province, Urushobyo spoken in the Western Province, Urukiga spoken in Northern Province, etc. 4.1.3. The living human treasures It is urgent to capitalise on the wisdom and know-how of old knowledgeable people. "Utaganiriye na se ntamenya icyo sekuru yasize avuze (A person who did not chat with their father will never know what their grandfather might have said). 4.1.4. The cultural practices and traditional techniques The policy on cultural heritage will promote cultural practices and traditional techniques recognized as meeting the expectations of the community as an expression of their cultural identity.

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4.2. Principles relating to physical cultural heritage 4.2.1. The architectural heritage The policy on cultural heritage should support the various architectural forms and frames in Rwanda and their components by integrating them into a typically Rwandan context. The streets and public places will generally bear Rwandan marks in order to perpetuate our cultural values. 4.2.2. The genocide memorial sites The policy on cultural heritage should take care of memorial sites and ensure sustainable conservation of all tangible and intangible evidence of genocide which are kept therein to make of these sites places of meditation and education on values of peace, tolerance, non-violence, unity and national reconciliation for the present and future generations. 4.2.3. The areas of cultural interest The policy on cultural heritage must preserve historical sites and monuments as elements belonging to a unifying set of an entity or a larger context and not exclusively as isolated elements or structures. 4.2.4. The archaeological heritage For better management of archaeological heritage, the policy on cultural heritage will fight against any unregulated exploitation of archaeological excavations and preserve this heritage for targeted research. 4.2.5. The heritage of community life The policy on cultural heritage should increase awareness of the Rwandan population to live in harmony with other elements associated with nature and which make up their environment.

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4.2.6. Funeral heritage The policy on cultural heritage should take measures to regulate cemeteries for their better management and conservation. 4.2.7. Archival heritage The policy will promote conservation of the national archives kept on various media in order to keep the memory of its people by protecting them against destruction. It must also negotiate the return of archives and other cultural heritage objects located in Europe and elsewhere in the world, while putting in place such conditions as conducive to their management. 4.3. Cultural tourism related principle and marketing Given the contribution to cultural tourism in national development, the policy on cultural heritage will promote cultural opening to others and contribute significantly in: countrys economic prosperity; creation of cultural industries; promoting awareness and visibility of national cultural heritage; transmission of cultural exchanges; participation in and cooperation between host communities, tourist site curators, touring operators, etc.. To achieve this, the following should be done: put in place infrastructure and cultural amusement centres: villages and cities of culture; train interpreters and cultural guides; diversify cultural events; encourage investment in the sector of cultural tourism; involve local people in tourism development on cultural sites.

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5. VISION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR Cultural heritage must be the basis and driving force to national development. Its management, conservation and development should be tailored towards: promotion of cultural tourism; environmental protection, rational use of local natural resources and ecotourism development; development of social equality, culture of peace and preservation of specific values of sites; research and education.

6. MISSION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR Make cultural heritage a determining factor for national identity and pride for individual people in particular, and Rwandan community in general; As a main pillar for sustainable development, cultural heritage will contribute to economic growth and social harmony among Rwandans.

7. OBJECTIVES OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR 7.1. General goals - Making national cultural heritage the basis for social, economic and political development; - Making Rwanda a cultural flagship at regional and international levels. 7.2. Specific objectives Develop adequate and qualified human resources; Maintain and enhance tangible and intangible cultural heritage;

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Promote Rwandas cultural values and encourage their implementation in daily life; Adopt a legal and regulatory framework in connection with cultural heritage; Promote regional and international cooperation on cultural heritage.

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8. COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIES FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR 8.1. Strategies on developing adequate and qualified human resources: - Build capacities of existing cultural heritage institutions in the area of decentralization; - Educate and train professionals in the management and conservation of cultural heritage; - Provide the sector with the tools appropriate for management and conservation of cultural heritage including new information and communication technologies ; - Encourage creation of associations for management and conservation of cultural heritage. 8.2. Strategies relating to maintaining and enhancing tangible and intangible cultural heritage Update the inventory of immovable cultural heritage; In collaboration with other institutions, identify the nature of cultural sites for inclusion within the national tourist environment, Conduct an inventory of intangible cultural heritage; Encourage investment in this sector; Foster implementation of cultural practices; Preserve and promote the practice of traditional medicine as part and parcel of cultural heritage; Develop a map and a cultural guide in Rwanda; Raise awareness among Rwandans from all walks of life to visit cultural sites; In collaboration with Districts, integrate the management and conservation of the sites under their jurisdiction in their development plan; Encourage creation of public and private cultural institutions; Turn historical sites into ecological models through their development;

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To involve young people in visits to various national cultural sites.

8.3. Strategies relating to promoting Rwandas cultural values and encouraging their implementation in daily life: Inculcate in Rwandans the culture of competitiveness and excellence; Consolidate the method of peaceful resolution of conflicts through Rwandas traditional cultural systems: Abunzi (mediators), Gacaca (popular courts), etc. Appeal to the youth to approach the elderly so as to benefit from their wisdom, knowledge and cultural practices while still alive; Involve the media in raising awareness on preservation and protection of cultural heritage.

8.4. Strategies relating to adopting a legal and regulatory framework in connection with cultural heritage: Put in place rules and regulations governing the use of Kinyarwanda; Draft a legal and regulatory text to govern national cultural heritage; Put in place a framework banning the import, export and trafficking in cultural property; Fight against any form of looting and destruction of cultural heritage; Prevent abuse of archaeological excavations throughout the national territory; Put in place a system to classify (protect) all sites of national interest; Encourage users of the media on proper use of Kinyarwanda.

8.5. Strategies relating to promoting regional and international cooperation on cultural heritage: Establish mechanisms for the return of Rwandas cultural property kept abroad;

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Encourage ratification of the UNESCO Convention of 2003 on protection of intangible cultural heritage; Reassert the inclusion of key cultural and natural sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List; Promote regional and international cooperation on cultural heritage; Mark international days in connection with cultural heritage.

9. PROGRAMS OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR Main programs of cultural heritage include: - Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage This program has the following sub-components: - identification and promotion of living human treasures; - promoting the national language, Kinyarwanda, and collection of oral traditions and cultural practices. - Management, conservation and enhancement of tangible cultural heritage This program has the following sub-components: - Preservation and enhancement of immovable cultural heritage; - Conservation and development of movable cultural heritage. 10. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY ON CULTURAL HERITAGE 10.1. Institutional framework The Ministry in charge of cultural heritage is the first institution responsible for implementing this policy. However, it works with other national and international partners who, in one way or another, support this ministry for the management, conservation and promotion of national cultural heritage. The table below lists the main partners in the sector of cultural heritage and their possible intervention area:

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Partners Ministries

Interventions -

Implementing the policy on cultural heritage; - Promotion of national and universal cultural values; - Putting in place a legal and regulatory framework; - Protecting national cultural heritage; Organising cultural events. Research institutes and public institutions - Promoting the national language; - Promoting cultural tourism; - Management, preservation and development of national heritage; - Cultural practices and oral traditions; - Research on cultural heritage; - Promoting cultural heritage. International institutions and diplomatic missions - Support to management, preservation and development of cultural heritage; - Training. Associations - Dissemination of cultural values; - Living human treasures; - Promotion of and support to heritage sector. 10.2. Monitoring and evaluation The following mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation will be put in place for better implementation of this policy: - Monitor on regular basis the implementation of the policy on cultural heritage; - Organize regular sessions to assess implementation of the policy on cultural heritage; - Coordinate efforts of partners on cultural heritage.

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10.3. Objectively verifiable indicators A cultural village is built in the late 2020; A national cultural map is produced by end of 2020; In 2020, five cultural / natural sites are registered on the indicative list including two sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List; Collection of oral traditions and other cultural practices are made in one Province every three years; A regulatory framework governing cultural heritage is produced by end of 2010; A historic monument is built in each Province by end of 2020; A regulation governing use of Kinyarwanda is developed by end of 2015; Three associations working to promote Cultural Heritage are created in every Province in late 2015; The National Academy of Language and Culture is operational by the end of 2010; Two senior officials are trained on cultural heritage management every three years; Two cultural events and meetings of high level are organised every three years.

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11. CONCLUSION

A nation without any historical reference to the most relevant events of its past, to the sites where these events occurred, or without tangible or intangible cultural heritage, as evidence of ancestral knowledge, interpersonal skills and know-how is a nation in full decline. This national heritage policy paper sets out the broad guidelines of the sector based on a set of tangible and intangible elements that shape the identity of the Rwandan people: mother tongue also national language, cultural traditions and practices, historical sites and monuments. Protection and preservation of national cultural heritage consolidate national unity, social cohesion, cultural freedom and recognition of our identity. Given that Rwanda shares universal culture with other nations, Rwandas cultural heritage reasserts diversity and dialogue between cultures. Therefore, Government of Rwanda and its partners have the obligation to preserve and perpetuate this ancestral heritage for present and future generations because, on the one hand, it brings in a lot of money as do agriculture, industry, gold or oil and, on the other, it maintains harmony and social balance between peoples.

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