Strengthening the Development of Social Work in Rwanda (Closed)

This is a research group on strengthening the development of Social Work in Rwanda.

Project Goal: To Build the Capacity of the Social Work Program at the National University of Rwanda (NUR)

Proposed Objectives: To engage university and community stakeholders in the development of a plan for the establishment of a Center for Social Work Practice and Education

In 1999, the National University of Rwanda (NUR) founded a social work program to train Rwandans to address individual and community needs. This program was part of the university’s commitment to respond to the psychosocial, emotional and physical effects of the 1994 genocide on Rwandan society. Social workers would support the social reconstruction effort of Rwandans assisted by faith communities and international agencies in forming local social services to respond to a wide range of issues. Currently, 70 BSW students graduate each year. NUR faculty and staff have been working to expand and strengthen the social work program (BSW) to better serve people in local communities and are looking to their Canadian colleagues for assistance.

The goal of the project is to assist in building the capacity of the social work program to expand and improve social work practice with vulnerable populations in Rwanda, including survivors of the genocide, people affected by AIDS, women fleeing violence, street children, ex-prisoners, people with mental health and addiction issues, and people with disabilities. This proposal has involved full consultation with members of the faculty of the social work program at NUR and has their support and approval.