The CEO of CDKN visited Rwanda

By DUSABEMUNGU Ange de la Victoire

On 23rd May, 2011 the Chief Executive Officer of the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), Sam Bickersteth, was in Kigali where he met the Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Stanislas Kamanzi to discuss how to deal with the impact of climate change and actions that can be implemented in order to reduce its effects.

“Rwanda among other countries in the world always strives for the sustainability of environment by increasing the number of trees that are planted every year to ensure the growth of forests where biological spaces will not be threatened by human activities”, Hon. Stanislas Kamanzi said.

The Minister added that forests will help in reducing the impact of climate change on human being and called for every one’s support in protecting forests to ensure the sustainability of environment.

Sam Bickersteth appreciated efforts made by the Government and people of Rwanda to safeguard the environment so to enable the sustainable development of the country. Before concluding his visit in Rwanda, Sam Bickersteth visited Kigali genocide memorial centre to pay tribute to the victims of 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

After being explained to how the genocide was planned and how it was implemented, Sam Bickersteth pledged to intensify the fight against genocide ideology and urged nations to directly intervene where conflicts are rising before reaching the alarming point as it happened in Rwanda.

“Never let the Genocide happen again and keep upholding the truth and preserving the dignity” The CEO of CDKN concluded.

The CDKN is an organization that supports decision-makers in designing and delivering climate compatible development by combining research, advisory services and knowledge management in support of locally owned and managed policy processes. CDKN also works in partnership with decision-makers in the public, private and non-governmental sectors nationally, regionally and globally where it holds strongly to the ideals of human development and environmental sustainability