Professional meetings in Kigali

This morning, we met with the Rwandan Legal Aid Forum. The top picture is their Program manager, Mr. Frank Mugisha, addressing us. Not surprisingly, they have many of the same issues and problems as we have in the U.S., particularly, funding.The best part of the meeting, however, was the "five minute" break, which turned into a half hour as engaged individual discussions with the members of the Forum present. That led to the joint picture above.
Next was the most exciting part of the trip so far - a private meeting with Mr. Tharcisse Karugarama, the Rwanda Minister of Justice. He explained the history of the Rwandan justice system and particularly the choices made on how to deal with the perpetrators of the genocide. The eventual decision was to employ "Gacacas," which were essentially community courts, which were designed to promote "truth, justice and reconciliation."

So that no one thinks this trip is all work and no fun, on the way back to the hotel, we made a stop at a crafts mall for some shopping.