After the project kick-off mission to Rwanda had taken place in July 2018, it was clear that missions by the Rwandan partners to Rhineland-Palatinate should follow, in order to ensure the successful exchange of expertise within the individual municipal partnerships. This is why delegates from the districts of Karongi and Nyamagabe have been visiting their partners in Bad Kreuznach and Birkenfeld November 25 to November 30.
'Ideas are flowing' – this is how Bonaventure Uwamahoro, Mayor of Nyamagabe District, summed up the first days of the mission. Together with Juvénal Habayo Sinibagiwe from the district, he was getting to know the combined municipality of Birkenfeld from various perspectives. The agenda included working meetings with the municipal administration, various appointments, and tours on the topics of tourism, energy efficiency, renewable energy and solid waste management.
One particular highlight of the mission was a meeting with the Prime Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate, Malu Dreyer, at the beginning of the week. This was organised by the partners from Birkenfeld in conjunction with an event to present an electric citizens' car.
The Bad Kreuznach – Karongi partnership also focused its agenda for the entire week on the results of the kick-off mission. The key topics of land use and town planning were addressed at various meetings and workshops. The two sides quickly identified links to planning processes in Karongi District, and in connection with that planned knowledge sharing and staff training activities.