Barbados and Rwanda Explore Youth, Sports and Cultural Exchange

On Friday, August 22, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment hosted a courtesy call with Rwanda’s Minister of Youth and Arts, Hon. Sandrine Umutoni, to discuss strengthening ties between the two nations. The discussions centered on youth development, education, sport, and the creative economy, with both countries highlighting shared priorities and opportunities for collaboration.

Central to the conversation was a mutual commitment to equipping young people with the skills and opportunities to overcome poverty. Both Barbados and Rwanda are pursuing programmes that support school dropouts, promote entrepreneurship, and ensure that youth remain connected to their history and culture.

On the cultural front, the Ministers explored the possibility of exchanges in music, arts, and performance. Suggestions included partnerships between the Barbados National Orchestra, NIFCA, and Rwanda’s National School of Music, as well as opportunities for Rwandan groups to share their expertise in dance, drama, and the arts with Barbadian youth.

Sport was also a strong area of focus. Rwanda, whose most popular sports include basketball, football, and cycling, expressed interest in developing new sporting opportunities. Barbados offered to introduce road tennis, an indigenous Barbadian sport , in Rwanda through training and coaching exchanges. Netball development was also raised as a potential area of cooperation.

The Ministers further discussed technical training, skills development, and scholarship opportunities that would allow young people from both nations to participate in exchange programmes and gain international qualifications. Barbados shared details of its youth-focused initiatives such as Project Protégé, the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES), the Barbados YouthADVANCE Corps (BYAC), and the Youth Hotline, as examples of local programmes empowering young people.

Both Ministries expressed enthusiasm about advancing these initiatives, recognising the value of cultural and educational exchanges in building a brighter future for the next generation.