Kigali, Rwanda — Rwanda’s efforts to expand youth-focused development partnerships took center stage as the Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana, held a courtesy meeting with Jessie Thomson, Chief Executive Officer and President of Right To Play International. The meeting underscored the value of their long-standing cooperation and explored new avenues to scale up impact across the country.
According to officials, the discussions focused on the existing partnership between the Ministry and Right To Play, which has played a role in promoting education, child protection, and youth empowerment through sport and play-based learning. Both sides acknowledged the progress achieved so far and reaffirmed their shared commitment to expanding opportunities for young people.
During the talks, Minister Nsengimana highlighted Rwanda’s ongoing push to invest in innovative and inclusive programs that support children’s development beyond the classroom. He noted that partnerships with global organizations remain critical in delivering practical solutions that improve learning outcomes, strengthen resilience, and promote social inclusion.
Jessie Thomson welcomed the continued collaboration, emphasizing Right To Play’s mission to ensure children everywhere can learn, grow, and thrive through structured play. She praised Rwanda’s proactive approach to youth development and expressed readiness to deepen cooperation through new initiatives tailored to local needs.
The meeting also explored potential areas for expansion, including scaling community-based programs, strengthening capacity building for educators, and leveraging sports as a tool for life skills development. Stakeholders believe such initiatives could further align with Rwanda’s broader national priorities in education reform and youth empowerment.
Observers say the courtesy call signals renewed momentum in public–private partnerships aimed at delivering sustainable social impact. With Rwanda continuing to position itself as a leader in innovative development models, strengthened ties with organizations like Right To Play could help amplify outcomes for children and young people nationwide.
While no formal agreements were announced, both parties expressed optimism about the future of the collaboration and the opportunities ahead. The engagement is expected to pave the way for deeper cooperation that builds on past successes and supports Rwanda’s long-term vision for inclusive growth driven by empowered youth.
