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GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Before talking about the topic of this practical work in details, we want to say that concerning
Rwanda, the Government of Rwanda has been showing a commitment in the context of
environmental protection because this is a must for the whole world (and for developing
countries in particular) on the one hand, and a specific necessity for Rwanda (where the
environment has been damaged by the 1994 Genocide and its consequences) on the other. That
commitment which we are talking about is related to some policies initiated by the Government
such as the National Environment Policy (2003), Forest Policy (2004), Land Policy (2003),
Water and Sanitation Policy (2005), etc.

So, if our work refers to mention some mechanisms and basic principles of capacity development
for environmental management in Rwanda, to say that there is already a certain level of capacity
from the above policies that needs to be developed it would not be wrong. Talking about the
notion of capacity, we have also to remember that Rwanda belongs to developing countries
category. This can push us to see what Christine Niwemugeni (2010) has said: “Poor people in
developing countries often depend more directly on natural resources than any other group in
society. They are usually the first to suffer when those resources are damaged or become scarce.
This means it is vital that we consider the environment in all our development work.’ She
continued saying that how we manage the environment will affect the long-term success of
development and play a significant part in our progress towards the Millennium Development
Goals(MDGs). This is why MDG 7 commits us to ensure environmental sustainability. It
demands that we make the principles of sustainable development an integral part of our policies.
We must consider the environment when making decisions, just as we consider economic and
social issues.”

Finally, she said that environmental management is the most promising way to make this
happen: the Sustainable Development. Without this understanding, we risk turning today’s
development successes into tomorrow’s environmental challenges. So, what about Rwanda?
How Rwandans perceive the importance of adapting different mechanisms to the environmental
issues? Of course for the purpose of this work we will try to analyze some answers to those
questions.
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I REVIEWING SOME USEFUL CONCEPTS

I.1 Environment

As we saw it in the course of environmental assessment and sustainable development (2011),


environment is a term mostly used in an ecological sense to cover natural resources and the
relationships between them. But, social aspects (including human health) are also often
considered as part of the environment. Issues relating to aesthetic properties as well as cultural
and historical heritage (often in built environment) are frequently included.

Niwemugeni (2010) said that the natural environment, commonly referred to simply as the
environment, encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some
region thereof. In other words environment can be taken as a set of all external factors
influencing the life and activities of people, plants, and animals (Here, let’s note that those
external factors may also be understood in a certain way as risky consequences from harmful
influences of human activities).

We can say that the fact of reviewing the definition(s) of environment is not useless because
there are some important aspects we need to analyze minutely from it. For instance that one of
human health pushes us to keep in mind that first of all “environment” refers to human beings
instead of merely referring to the natural world. And for the purpose of this practical work,
environmental management (either in Rwanda or elsewhere) starts or should start by managing
and protecting human beings.

I.2 Environmental Management

For us, environmental management is considered as a set of different activities and


environmentally friendly approaches aimed at answering adequately the following question:
How can the environment be developed sustainably? Undoubtedly, a good answer to that
consider the earth as a one system in which there is an interdependency among the lithosphere,
the hydrosphere, the atmosphere, and finally the biosphere.
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I.3 Sustainable Development

A well known definition of sustainable development has been coined by the Brundtland
Commission which says: “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (World
Commission on Environment and Development, 1987).
The reality related to living conditions in Rwanda shows us that many people (over 80%
according to different recent studies) depend mainly on agriculture for their survival and other
activities which may imply a direct contact with nature. So, it is better to understand the notion
of sustainability also in terms of that context (considered as common in many developing
countries, Rwanda included) hence quoting the definition of sustainable development by Food
and Agriculture Organization: “ Sustainable development is the management and conservation of
the natural resources base, and the orientation of technological and institutional change in such a
manner as to ensure the attainment and continued satisfaction of human needs for present and
future generations. Such sustainable development in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors
conserves land, water, plant and animal genetic resources, and is environmentally non-degrading,
technically appropriate, economically viable and socially acceptable”. (FAO, 1988).

I.4 Understanding the meaning of capacity development

By applying that expression of capacity development to this work we can say that for us, it
simply refers to the reinforcement of institutional capacity, how community members (Rwandans
in this work) become more knowledgeable about environmental management-related activities
and requirements, and what could be needed (in terms of money, skills…) to implement those
activities. So far, the correlation between environmental management and sustainable
development is already clear but more explorations will be made below.
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II ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN RWANDA

In this section the main point is not to describe the features of the physical environment in
Rwanda. Instead, we are going to look at some threats to the overall environment because some
mechanisms and guiding principles we will see below, are supposed to find adequate solutions to
those threats, but in general they are aimed at improving the environmental sustainability.

II.1 Views of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on threats to the
environment in Rwanda

According to UNDP (2011), Rwanda’s economy and the livelihoods of her people are dependent
on natural resources that are increasingly under pressure from unsustainable use resulting in
environment degradation. The main challenge is utilization of natural resources in the promotion
of economic growth while simultaneously conserving natural resources and avoiding soil
erosion, deforestation and environment general degradation and dealing with challenges climate
change. Environmental conservation in Rwanda is impeded by inadequate and unclear long-term
strategies for environmental mainstreaming as well as lack of capacity and the strategy within
environmental institutions. This is a barrier towards the achievement of the Economic
Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) and Vision 2020 priorities in
environment.

The effects of environmental degradation in Rwanda are particularly acute with respect to the
living conditions of rural areas and the urban poor. Rural households in particular strongly rely
on natural resources as a basis for farming, energy production and housing. Additionally,
environment degradation has been severely exacerbated by conflict, repeated population
displacement and the clearing of natural areas for the resettlement of refugees from surrounding
states since 1994. Because of this, Rwanda has entered the realm of environmental management
at a critical point in time, recognizing that the proper management of its natural resources is a
fundamental requirement for a sustainable existence in the future. It is thus the objective of
UNDP Rwanda to support aid and ensure the forward movement of environmental sustainability.
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II.2 Views of the United States’ Agency for International Development

Through the Rwanda Environmental Threats and Opportunities Assessment 2008 Update
(ETOA), USAID has made some comparisons between the 2003 assessment and the 2008
update. According to USAID(2008), There is no doubt that tropical forests, biodiversity, and
Rwanda’s overall environment are in peril, and the principal threats that were named in 2003
remain the same today, although the finer details have changed. The three overarching, primary
threats are:
1. Human population pressure on the landscape
2. Insufficient or weak legal and institutional frameworks for the environment sector are not in
place and/or operational
3. Natural causes (usually exacerbated by humans)

Other threats to Rwanda’s natural environment include: energy pressure; degradation of wetlands
and lack of clean water; agricultural inefficiencies and soil erosion; climate change and waste
disposal issues. Besides that, USAID talked about some challenges in developing and defining
environmental management:

 Inter-sector and intra-sector coordination;


 Engaging young environmental governance institutions;
 Building sustainable capacities in a highly dynamic environment characterized by
frequent reforms;
 Weak information and knowledge management systems, etc.

Also according to Theobald Mashinga (2007), Rwanda has adopted the Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA), because there have been some environmental challenges posed by
environmental degradation. Those include: soil erosion, deforestation, wetland drainage, water
degradation, climate change, and the loss of biodiversity.

Despite those above analyses regarding the environmental issues in Rwanda, there are some
other facts which will be mentioned below and will show us that the capacity to protect our
environment is there but needs to be reinforced.
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II.3. Facts related to the capacity to manage our environment

That capacity which we are talking about, of course it is there and it can be reflected in different
efforts that have been made in different domains with an overall aim of managing the
environment. Among them we can mention the: formulation of environmental policy (2003);
enactment of environmental Organic law No. 04/2005 of 08/04/200 (2005; establishment of
Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA), to coordinate and oversee all aspects
of environmental management for sustainable development); The Constitution of the Republic
of Rwanda, adopted in June 2003, ensures the protection and sustainable management of
environment; and encouragement of rational use of natural resources; other socio-economic
development policies and strategies such as “Rwanda Investment and Exports Strategic Action
Plan, 2005-2007”.

Undoubtedly, those above initiatives are in accordance with the following key principles as tools
guiding some mechanisms we will see below. Some of those principles include:

 The “Vision 2020” that calls for a well regulated environment management system that
takes into account principles of sustainable development and at the same time
contributing to poverty reduction. This corresponds to what we learned in the above
mentioned course, when we talked about safeguarding environmental assets for
sustainable development and poverty reduction as a seventh element justifying the
importance of Strategic Environmental Assessment in development;
 The article 67(organic law) requires that projects, programmes and policies that may
affect the environment shall be subjected to environmental impact assessment before
obtaining authorisation for implementation. As we know, Sadler and Verheem (1996)
quoted by Murwanashyaka (2011), defined a policy, a plan, and a programme in a clear
manner hence differentiating them. But also we learned that Environmental Impact
Assessment goes with project while Strategic Environmental Assessment goes with
policy, plan and programme.

Those two main principles with their philosophy are behind the effective and efficient
implementation of some existing mechanisms which we are going to talk about.
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III EXISTING OVERALL MECHANISMS OF CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT FOR


ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN RWANDA

In this section we are going to talk about two overall policies or mechanisms aimed at
developing the capacity of Rwandans in that domain of environmental management in Rwanda.
They are called “overall” because they include many other sub-mechanisms which will facilitate
their implementation in different areas and by different people.

III.1. Education for Sustainable Development into Schools

According to REMA (2010), the Government of Rwanda recognizes the development challenges
facing the country. Being party to many international agreements and conventions such as the
DESD 2005‐2014, Rwanda is keen and aware of its responsibilities to implement measures that
promote sustainable development through different modes of education. Towards this, the
government sees Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as an opportunity to
continuously build its citizens’ capacity towards healthy measures for utilizing the country’s
resources to lead productive livelihoods and improve quality of life. In order to enhance the
delivery of its mandate in promoting Sustainable Development, REMA recognizes the need to
have a clear strategy for Environmental Education for Sustainable Development (EESD) through
the Environmental Education and Mainstreaming Unit. It therefore became paramount to develop
an implementation strategy to guide and give direction to the provision of EESD in all sectors of
the economy.
A background is given consisting of the social, economic and ecological context of the country
inclined towards aspects of ESD, the definition of operational terms and the government’s
policies on education. A SWOT analysis established gaps in the prevailing education policies
with regard to Sustainable development concerns. A situation analysis revealed that the
education system had missed out on building important values, knowledge and skills that
recognize the importance of sustainable development. ESD provides an excellent opportunity for
Rwanda to fill the existing gaps. This EESD strategy presents the goal, objectives and the
corresponding strategic activities. The strategy has prioritized areas of intervention by all
stakeholders including government, private sector and civil society organizations.
Specific objectives of the strategy include: Education and awareness to increase public
participation in sustainable development, Capacity build future leaders to have the commitment,
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Expertise and leadership to ensure sustainable development; Integrate Environment and


Sustainability issues in the School Curriculum to improve the quality of learning and make it
relevant to the needs of the society; Capacity build the media to report and communicate
sustainable development by providing Information required to address pertinent sustainable
developmental challenges; Enhance the quality and relevance of Technical and Higher education
to respond to local sustainable development challenges.
The flagship programmes include: Promotional Programme on EESD: EESD in Primary and
Secondary schools, Training Programme for the Media on EESD Reporting, Mainstreaming
EESD into Technical and Higher Education programmes. To enhance the implementation of
EESD, a five year Action Plan and implementation framework has been developed.

III.2. Environmental Health Policy

According to the Ministry of Health (MINISANTE, 2008), that policy includes other useful
mechanisms. Among those mechanisms we can mention the following:(1)Environmental health
education remains the most effective means to improve hygiene and sanitation; (2) Among the
responsibilities of environmental health officers is the surveillance and assurance of the safety of
food and water for human consumption. The surveillance of food safety and water quality will be
carried out wherever food or water is exposed or offered for human consumption; (3) The
National Human Settlement Policy recognizes the human right to housing for every citizen. The
housing should be decent, able to protect and improve the living conditions of the occupant.
Environmental health personnel should be part of the building specialist team indicated by the
policy as an assurance that all requirements for hygiene and sanitation were taken care of; (4)
Proper management of liquid and solid waste is crucial. While improvement on existing beliefs
and practices is important, appropriateness of waste management technology with reference to
particular waste has a bearing to its affordability and hence acceptability and application. The
environmental health personnel will in collaboration with other relevant Sectoral Ministries,
Research and Training institutions, Private Sector, offer a range of technologies for waste
management to individuals, families, communities and institutions; (5) Malaria is a major health
problem in the country. Mosquitoes and other vermin such as fleas, flies, lice, cockroaches and
mice must be controlled. Where chemical control is preferred to biological means, care and
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control must be taken not to contaminate the environment, food or water. Collaboration with the
Ministry responsible for animal health is crucial to ensure control of animal diseases spread to
humans; (6) Environmental pollution is governed by the Rwanda Organic Law. In carrying out
their responsibilities, EH personnel should be conversant with provisions of this law and
requirements for its implementation. The team implementing the Law who should include EH
personnel should focus on protecting children and ensure impact assessment of all activities that
are likely to negatively affect the human health; (7) The Government of Rwanda has a law
governing occupational health and safety in work places. However, the law should be translated
into codes of practice to guide its implementation and enforcement. All employers should be
guided to establish relevant internal Health and Safety Policies at the work place; (8) Port health
is essential in ensuring diseases are not imported into the country. Food, animal and plant
diseases of public health significance must be controlled at the port of entry; (9) The emphasis on
schools is crucial to target the vulnerable youth at the same time a large proportion of the population
whose behavior is transformable. The approaches would include incorporating environmental health
in the curriculum, participating in EH promotion of school sanitation, promotion of personal hygiene,
promoting and participating in EH competitions through songs, dance and drama etc; (10)Burial
grounds should be located in areas that will not contaminate water sources. Such grounds should
not be near facilities developed for human habitation or areas designated for commercial and
industrial purposes. The maintenance of the facilities should include maintaining records for
proper identification of the deceased and cause of death as provided by the Law on Cemeteries.

CONCLUSION
As a conclusion, we can say that fortunately the capacity for environmental management in
Rwanda has began to be built and according to us the relevant sectors and institutions need to
look at how to foster that capacity so as to meet with different requirements concerning the
environmental management. In other words this means that if every Rwandan makes his own
efforts and applies the content of the above mechanisms to his small role in protecting the
environment, undoubtedly, that capacity will be developed even though some of those
mechanisms seem to be in infancy stage. To achieve this, we need also effective ongoing
trainings especially for Rwandan youth.
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REFERENCES

Mashinga T. (2007). Environmental Planning in Rwanda: Environmental Impact Assessment


(EIA) as a planning tool and its effectiveness. Unpublished paper on http://www.rema.gov.rw,
retrieved on 28th/3/2011.

Murwanashyaka E. (2011). Environmental Assessment and Sustainable Development. Lecture


notes. National University of Rwanda.

Niwemugeni C. (2010). Environmental Management. Lecture notes. National University of


Rwanda.

Nsanzimana D. & Tushabe R. (2010). Guidelines for infusing Education for Sustainable
Development into Schools in Rwanda. Unpublished paper on http://www.rema.gov.rw, retrieved
on 29th/3/2011.

Other electronic sources:

Food and Agriculture Organization, http://www.fao.org, retrieved on 28th/3/2011.

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, http://www.iiasa.org, retrieved on


27th/3/2011.

Ministry of Health, http://www.moh.gov.rw, retrieved on 28th/3/2011.

http://www.undp.org.rw, retrieved on 29th/3/2011.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID). (2008). Rwanda Environmental
Threats and Opportunities Assessment (ETOA) Update from http://www.usaid.gov, retrieved on
29th/3/2011.

Other useful readings.


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