Discussions among Community Leaders

At the beginning of this term, the final one of the academic year, the adult students of my English class at the district requested that we engage in group discussion three mornings/week to improve their speaking and presentation skills in English. This entire year has been an extraordinary learning experience for me, but facilitating discussions with these community leaders was an especially fulfilling way for me to gain a better understanding of this country, its history and its people.

While all of the students had some English language experience prior to this class, I am extremely impressed with the progress they have made in ten months’ time, particularly in speaking. I have listed this term’s discussion topics and key questions below:

Political Issues:
1) September 11th, 2009: 8 years ago today the US was attacked in two major cities by Islamic fundamentalist terrorists connected to the Al Qaeda network, resulting in the death of thousands.
Do you think the world is more or less safe since the attacks?
Do you think the US or another major superpower (UK, France, Russia, China, etc) will be subject to a major terrorist attack in the next 10-15 years? (Consider all possible scenarios)
2) Major Religions: Consider the similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam.
Do you think these two religions are inherently opposed to each other? If so, how? How can Islamic nations like Iran and Saudi Arabia maintain diplomatic relations with western countries that were founded in Christian values?
Related discussion topics: -Sharia law versus democratic governance systems, women’s roles in each religion/religious denomination, extremist groups in each religion, both current and historic (Christian fundamentalists, Al Qaeda , the KKK), the notion of jihad and any Christian parallels (the Crusades are one example)
3) Israel-Palestine: Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: which countries support which sides and why?
Which side do you support and why?
Consider the history of the Jewish population, and the notion of a homeland. Are there parallels to Rwanda’s history, present state or even future with respect to the Diaspora?

Social Issues:
4) Population: Rwanda is Africa’s most densely populated country, with a growth rate of 2.76%, among the highest in Africa. Women in Rwanda produce an average of 5.5 children per family. Is it necessary for Rwanda to control its population growth, due to a lack of available resources? Why or why not?
Should the government intervene in familial affairs by promoting contraception, family planning, the education of girls or by enforcing strict mandates?
What have other underdeveloped countries (China, India, Iran) done to control their population growth?
What is the influence of the Roman Catholic Church on Rwandan politics and individual families?
5) Marriage: What are the traditions and customs surrounding marriage in Rwanda, in the past and present?
How long is the courtship period and what does it entail?
What is the function of the dowry?
What roles do respective family members play before the wedding and during the ceremony?
How do these practices differ from practices in the United States?
6) What do you think of arranged marriage?
Should families play a substantial or even direct role in the choosing of a spouse? How does family influence marriage arrangements in Rwanda and in other countries like India, Afghanistan, China and the United States?
7) In Rwandan culture, is it normal and expected that everyone (save religious figures) be married?
What do you think of divorce? In which cases is it socially/morally acceptable, if ever?
What is love – an emotion or a commitment?
What do you think of polygamy?
What do you think of gay marriage/relationships?
8) Gender: Is it necessary for women to have leadership positions in Rwandan society?
If so, how can we encourage women to pursue professional careers in the government and as doctors, journalists, engineers, etc?
How do working women in Rwanda and in the United States balance their career and their family?
Is there still a prevailing belief in Rwandan culture that women should maintain traditional roles at home?
How can the government support female professionals and families at the same time?

Regional/Economic Issues:
9) Integration: What do you think of political/economic integration into the East African Community?
What are the positive and negative aspects of integration?
What do you think of adopting a common currency with other community members (Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda)?
How have other countries that are part of a supranational community, such as EU member-states, benefited and/or sacrificed aspects of sovereignty in joining?
10) What are the fears of integration?
What must happen in each country and collectively for integration to be successful? What role does the English language play?
If you had the opportunity, would you be willing to move to another country in East Africa for work?
11) National Interest: How can Rwanda improve itself economically, politically, and socially?
12) Culture Shock: Integration into a community like the EAC usually brings with it an increased movement of people between countries to pursue jobs and opportunities that may not be available in their home country. If you were offered a better job in another country, would you take it? Why or why not?
If you left Rwanda and settled in another country, either within the EAC or anywhere else in the world, which aspects of your life might be different, and how?