About Us

Who we are

Reading is the cornerstone of academic success, and “finding ways to engage pupils in reading may be one of the most effective ways to leverage social chang. If children leave primary school with a strong foundation of literacy skills, they will be ready for a lifetime of reading and learning that will furnish the knowledge and inspiration they need to further improve their economic competitiveness, health, civic engagement and quality of life.

In an effort to develop and foster such a culture of reading among children and adults throughout Rwanda, the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) through the Rwanda Education Board (REB) and in cooperation with development partners (DPs) launched the Soma Rwanda/ Rwanda Reads initiative in July 2012. The habit of reading can play a significant role in achieving the objectives of the Government of Rwanda’s Vision 2020 by empowering the citizens of Rwanda to independently seek and access print materials. Also aimed at improving literacy and language outcomes among students, Rwanda Reads is fully in line with the Education Sector Strategic Plan (2018/19-2023/24) which explicitly outlines priorities and policy actions targeting the acquisition of literacy skills among Rwandan primary and secondary school students.

Reads seeks to support, facilitate, and promote efforts to create literate citizens of Rwanda more capable of influencing their own individual achievement, economic growth, and better health - all of which will contribute to the overall development and prosperity of the country. By investing in the readers of today, Rwanda Reads supports the leaders of tomorrow. The guiding framework for Soma Rwanda/Rwanda Reads focuses on identifying and overcoming capacity gaps and analyzing supply and demand among stakeholders. The following graphic illustrates how various activities contribute to this initiative.

What we do

Rwanda Reads aims to cultivate a culture of reading in a holistic, coordinated manner toward advancing a more literate society better capable of contribution to its own progressive and prosperous future. As noted above, various initiatives and activities targeting the promotion of a reading culture are being implemented by different stakeholders, but much more could be achieved with increased collaboration of efforts. Rwanda Reads aims to develop synergies and bring all stakeholders together, providing a platform for information sharing, networking, and promotion of activities and initiatives with the common goal of improving opportunities for reading that maximizes energy, effort, and resources throughout the country. By design, Rwanda Reads is a multi-institutional initiative.

Rwanda Reads is not an implementation body itself, but rather a knowledge platform and a coordination forum bringing various stakeholders in both the public and private sector together under one common purpose. Rwanda Reads will be responsible for strengthening efforts to promote a culture of reading throughout Rwanda. In particular, it will be responsible for the following:

Facilitating the coordination of stakeholder activities so that 1) efforts are complemented rather than duplicated and 2) stakeholders can learn from each other and capitalize on what is working well;
Facilitating networking among stakeholders in the education sector and industry to support supply and demand of books
Identifying, fostering, and promoting initiatives that target the production, distribution and use of reading materials
Providing a forum for open dialogue on successes and challenges as well as sharing of best practices
Supporting campaigns and other initiatives that promote reading
Maintaining a webpage that highlights and promotes activities that encourage literacy in schools, homes, and the community at-large.

A Steering Committee coordinates the efforts of Rwanda Reads. The Rwanda Reads Steering Committee reports directly to the Education Sector Working Group (ESWG) through the co-chairs. Currently co-chaired by MINEDUC and USAID, the Steering Committee is the ultimate decision-making body for the Rwanda Reads platform. The Steering Committee’s key roles and responsibilities are outlined below:

Reviewing and validating Rwanda Reads initiatives proposed by the Technical Committee.
Institutionalizing reading and literacy in government structures and systems, such as the initiation of literacy volunteers
Approving the September National Literacy Month Concept Note and providing strategic direction in the promotion of literacy events taking place throughout the country.
Participating in literacy campaigns and other advocacy activities for Rwanda Reads and other stakeholders to secure political and social commitment to fostering a culture of reading
Supporting the establishment of sub-committees to lead on specific initiatives endorsed by the Steering Committee
Advise on the quality of web content
The co-chairs shall have the power to invite other relevant participants to attend Steering Committee meetings depending on the agenda

The agenda for the quarterly Steering Committee meetings will be set by the co-chairs, and be focused on actions necessary to coordinate initiatives across ministries and further policy-level advocacy related to reading promotion. The agenda and invitations will be circulated by the co-chairs through email and members will have an opportunity to add items as appropriate. Items to be discussed at the meeting must be included on the agenda, but under exceptional circumstances an item not on the agenda may be addressed at the meeting provided all members present or represented agree to this addition. Each Steering Committee meeting will conclude with a set of resolutions for follow up. Roles of the Co-Chairs

Providing strategic direction to the conduct of all Steering Committee meetings
Communicating all relevant information concerning Rwanda Reads, including strategic documents, reports, meeting agenda and schedules including sending communications/invitations on behalf of the Steering Committee
Receiving and reviewing literacy-related documents and reports pertaining to the mandate of the Steering Committee (this includes policy papers, new literacy initiatives or programs etc)
Chairing Steering Committee meetings.

The Rwanda Reads Technical Committee will be established to support the Steering Committee as the decision-making body and inform key discussions on literacy promotion and fostering a culture of reading. The Technical Committee will be chaired by the Secretariat. The Technical Committee will meet once per quarter; however, additional meetings may be called to act on key priorities.

The key roles and responsibilities of the Technical Committee include:

Propose topics for the quarterly Steering Committee meetings and develop agendas for annual General Assembly meetings and share them with the co-chairs
Lead on the planning and coordination of literacy campaigns and other advocacy activities for Rwanda Reads throughout the year including:
Drafting the September National Literacy Month Concept Note and presenting it to the Steering Committee for approval;
Organizing activities showcasing literacy initiatives and mobilizing Rwanda Reads members to host events throughout the month of September and where possible, throughout the year;
Providing guidance to Rwanda Reads members on the organization of literacy-related events throughout the year.
Collecting and reviewing initiatives, activities, articles, and research in the area of literacy to be shared with both the Steering Committee and the General Assembly and/or posted on the webpage;
Facilitating networks among stakeholders to maximize efforts and foster an atmosphere of mutual learning;
Advocating for institutionalization of reading and literacy in government structures and systems, such as the initiation of literacy volunteers;
Identifying key advocacy opportunities to promote the culture of reading in Rwanda;
Promoting membership expansion to increase participation across all provinces in Rwanda;
Conducting outreach to constituents;
Active participation in the Rwanda Reads events including learning events and National Literacy Month.

The main role of the General Assembly will be to:

Active participation in Rwanda Reads events including learning events and National Literacy Month
Share plans, new initiatives, and identify areas of collaboration
Share achievements, experiences, and lessons learned.
Share institutional constraints in promoting a reading culture and discuss ways of addressing these
Share items for the webpage.

The agenda for the annual General Assembly meetings will be approved by the co-chairs. The agenda and invitation will be circulated by the Secretariat through email in advance so that individual members of the General Assembly meeting have the opportunity to add items as appropriate. The General Assembly will discuss only items on the agenda. Membership is open to any organization, institution, business or individual who is interested in supporting the promotion of reading in Rwanda.

Rwanda Reads has four working groups organized by thematic areas in literacy promotion and fostering a culture of reading. The working groups include the following:

Book Sector Working Group
Civil Society Working Group
Community Libraries Working Group
Formal Education Working Group.

Each working group will be chaired by a Rwanda Reads member. Working Group chairs will be elected at General Assembly meetings and serve a two-year term.

Frequency of Meetings:

Steering Committee meetings will be held once per quarter. However, extraordinary meetings may be called at any time to address urgent matters related to this initiative. Additionally, sub-committees may be formed from amongst steering committee members and meet more frequently, reporting on activities at the Steering Committee meetings. Steering Committee meetings will be action-oriented and focus on high-level oversight and coordination. Technical Committee meetings will be held once a quarter while the General Assembly meeting will be held once a year.

The co-chairs will appoint a Secretariat that will provide coordination, monitoring and administrative support for Rwanda Reads. Key roles and responsibilities of the Secretariat include:

Reviewing and validating Rwanda Reads initiatives proposed by the Technical Committee.
Institutionalizing reading and literacy in government structures and systems, such as the initiation of literacy volunteers
Approving the September National Literacy Month Concept Note and providing strategic direction in the promotion of literacy events taking place throughout the country.
Participating in literacy campaigns and other advocacy activities for Rwanda Reads and other stakeholders to secure political and social commitment to fostering a culture of reading
Supporting the establishment of sub-committees to lead on specific initiatives endorsed by the Steering Committee
Advise on the quality of web content
The co-chairs shall have the power to invite other relevant participants to attend Steering Committee meetings depending on the agenda

Providing strategic direction to the conduct of all Steering Committee meetings
Communicating all relevant information concerning Rwanda Reads, including strategic documents, reports, meeting agenda and schedules including sending communications/invitations on behalf of the Steering Committee
Receiving and reviewing literacy-related documents and reports pertaining to the mandate of the Steering Committee (this includes policy papers, new literacy initiatives or programs etc)
Chairing Steering Committee meetings.

The key roles and responsibilities of the Technical Committee include:

Propose topics for the quarterly Steering Committee meetings and develop agendas for annual General Assembly meetings and share them with the co-chairs
Lead on the planning and coordination of literacy campaigns and other advocacy activities for Rwanda Reads throughout the year including:
Drafting the September National Literacy Month Concept Note and presenting it to the Steering Committee for approval;
Organizing activities showcasing literacy initiatives and mobilizing Rwanda Reads members to host events throughout the month of September and where possible, throughout the year;
Providing guidance to Rwanda Reads members on the organization of literacy-related events throughout the year.
Collecting and reviewing initiatives, activities, articles, and research in the area of literacy to be shared with both the Steering Committee and the General Assembly and/or posted on the webpage;
Facilitating networks among stakeholders to maximize efforts and foster an atmosphere of mutual learning;
Advocating for institutionalization of reading and literacy in government structures and systems, such as the initiation of literacy volunteers;
Identifying key advocacy opportunities to promote the culture of reading in Rwanda;
Promoting membership expansion to increase participation across all provinces in Rwanda;
Conducting outreach to constituents;
Active participation in the Rwanda Reads events including learning events and National Literacy Month.

The main role of the General Assembly will be to:

Active participation in Rwanda Reads events including learning events and National Literacy Month
Share plans, new initiatives, and identify areas of collaboration
Share achievements, experiences, and lessons learned.
Share institutional constraints in promoting a reading culture and discuss ways of addressing these
Share items for the webpage.

Rwanda Reads has four working groups organized by thematic areas in literacy promotion and fostering a culture of reading. The working groups include the following:

Book Sector Working Group
Civil Society Working Group
Community Libraries Working Group
Formal Education Working Group.

Each working group will be chaired by a Rwanda Reads member. Working Group chairs will be elected at General Assembly meetings and serve a two-year term.

Frequency of Meetings:

The co-chairs will appoint a Secretariat that will provide coordination, monitoring and administrative support for Rwanda Reads. Key roles and responsibilities of the Secretariat include:

Preparing quarterly reports for the co-chairs to present at Basic Education Sector Group (BESG)/ESWG meetings;
Drafting invitations to Steering Committee, Technical Committee and General Assembly meetings and forwarding to the co-chairs for approval:
Invitations will be disseminated by the co-chairs for Steering Committee meetings and the Secretariat for the Technical Committee and General Assembly meetings.
Taking notes at Steering Committee, Technical Committee and General Assembly meetings and forwarding minutes to the co-chairs for approval and broader dissemination;
Tracking follow up actions from resolutions agreed at Steering Committee meetings, as necessary to inform future agendas;
Reviewing relevant reports and documents pertaining to issues discussed or for discussion in subsequent meetings;
Ensuring availability of resource materials to Rwanda Reads, as well as supporting the Platform in the coordination of events, particularly through regular updating of the Rwanda Reads website;
Leading on the drafting of communication content for literacy promotion campaigns;
Managing, on a day-to-day basis, the content and layout of the Rwanda Reads website, ensuring that the availability of resource materials, news items and information about events are regularly disseminated to stakeholders;
Monitoring and supporting the effective functioning of any sub-committees which have been mandated by the Steering Committee to support specific literacy promoting initiatives;
Maintaining a calendar of events, including meetings, and updating members on progress achieved within the Platform;
Managing any logistics that may be required for the effective functioning of Rwanda Reads, as requested by the Steering Committee;
Be active in Rwanda Reads, including with the following critical responsibilities:
Coordinating with other Rwanda Reads members in organizing content for quarterly learning events, ensuring cross representation and contributions;
Collaborating with partners and Rwanda Reads members to ensure consistency of messaging and value addition across the literacy campaign;
Leading on the planning and coordinating of literacy campaigns and other advocacy activities for Rwanda Reads and other stakeholders to secure political and social commitment.
Monitor, document and report on members’ literacy activities in the month of September and throughout the year;
Promoting membership expansion to increase participation across all provinces in Rwanda;
Organizing literacy-related learning events on a quarterly basis;
Hosting stakeholder events, such as the book purchasing consortium and Children’s Book Forums;
Draft relevant information concerning Rwanda Reads, including strategic documents, reports, etc. to inform discussions during meetings of both the Steering Committee and Technical Committee;
Facilitate networks among stakeholders to maximize efforts and foster an atmosphere of mutual learning;
Propose topics for discussion by the Steering and Technical Committees;
Approving content to be posted on the webpage.

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What we do

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