Rwanda is set to make a meaningful cultural impact at the 21st International Youth Media Summit (IYMS) in Paris this July, through the participation of Ikirenga Art and Culture Promotion (ACP), a Kigali-based nonprofit championing youth creativity and storytelling.
The summit will gather 60 young filmmakers from over 19 countries to produce short films addressing urgent global challenges such as poverty, discrimination, and climate change.
Rwanda’s involvement, facilitated by Ikirenga ACP, highlights the country’s growing role in using the arts as a vehicle for social change and international collaboration.
As part of a newly announced partnership with IYMS, Ikirenga ACP will help bring filmmaking training and workshops to Rwandan youth, while also supporting their selection for future summits.
The collaboration is expected to expand opportunities for young creatives in Rwanda to engage with global platforms and contribute to impactful storytelling initiatives.
The films created during the summit will premiere at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris before being showcased at festivals and educational platforms worldwide, amplifying youth perspectives on critical global issues.
Pierre Hakizimana, Executive Director of Ikirenga ACP, emphasized the shared vision behind the partnership, stating:
“Both IYMS and Ikirenga believe that young people are not waiting for the world to change. They are the ones changing it.”
Rwanda’s participation through Ikirenga ACP underscores a broader commitment to empowering youth voices and fostering cross-cultural dialogue through the arts, positioning the country as an active contributor to global conversations on social transformation.
By Andrew shyaka
