Uganda/Rwanda 15.08.2010 - 01.09.2010
Program IFIL.ch study trip to Uganda and Rwanda
● | During the first days of our study trip we will explore Kampala, the political, economic and cultural centre of Uganda. For this purpose, our program contains a visit to the Owino Market, a guided city tour and meetings with interesting discussion partners. These include politicians, journalists, economic experts and representatives of NGOs. Furthermore, we will have the opportunity to visit a company. This visit will enable us to rethink our known business concepts by comparing them to foreign concepts. The mixture of different dialogue partners should highlight the different characteristics, qualities and problems of Uganda. In this case, the aims and problems of a poor farmer are as important as the thinking of a civil servant or the opinion of an economic expert. All of them contribute to a comprehensive review. We will have critical discussions about the European influence in Africa. On the one hand, we see influences in the present; namely development assistance or European companies in Uganda, and on the other hand we will talk about the ongoing effects of the colonial period. |
● | After we have gotten to know the African way of life we will leave Kampala and start our journey to Kigali. Queen Elizabeth National Park, where we will go on safari, will be our first stop. In beautiful African landscape we will forget about the stressful city life and gain new energy for the rest of our trip. |
● | The next stop will be held in the province of Kabale, which is situated in the southwest of Uganda. In Kabale we will gain insight into a local social business initiative by visiting the MTRC, Mushroom Training and Resource Center. This is a perfect example for what you can achieve by combining the concepts of social business and development assistance. Before reaching Kigali, we will take an unforgettable bath in the (schistosomiasis-free) lake Bunyonyi. The picturesque landscape can be compared with the shots from the movie the “Lord of the Rings”; green afforested or farmed hills, gorgeous deep blue lakes and white heap clouds on the sky. |
● | In Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, we will focus on the events that took place in 1994 and their consequences. The conflict between Hutus and Tutsis escalated and resulted in the death of 800’000 people. These events have naturally caused huge challenges for the current government as well as for Rwandan society. How can you eliminate the tensions between the different ethnic groups? How could the genocide happen even though the whole world was watching? Which juristic procedures and institutions try to answer the question of guilt? How can you stimulate the economy? In order to find answers, we will visit the Genocide Memorial Centre as well as the Belgian embassy, and we will talk to journalists and development workers. |
● | When we leave for Kampala again, the journey draws to a close. The new attained knowledge should enable us to compare the political and economic systems of Rwanda and Uganda, and to classify the new insights appropriately into a global perspective. |
● | As a conclusion of our study trip, we will head to Jinja, a placid village situated directly on Lake Victoria. Those of us who are keen on another adventure will have the opportunity to do a Nile white water rafting. After spending the night in Jinja we will return to Entebbe, where our journey will end. |