Projects

Earth Sciences have been applied in Rwanda since the early 1930ies when the colonial mining companies were exploring the country for its mineral resources. Unfortunately, during that colonial period, only scarce geoscientists were trained throughout the country. Thereafter, the importance of Earth Sciences (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Geomorphology, etc.) was nearly overlooked in the country’s Education schemes. Currently, Rwanda is developing and facing new challenges which require an advanced understanding of earth systems. While efforts are being deployed by the policy-makers, the need for Earth Scientists remains high. However, nowadays, a number of young Rwandan Earth Scientists are graduating from Universities.

As a YES National Chapter, it is necessary that we develop activities that promote our profession and careers, at the one hand. Our activities should raise awareness of the community, institutions and policy-makers about how the Earth Sciences can contribute to approaching developmental issues, at the other hand. In this context, the global YES Network’s vision “Promoting Earth Sciences for Society” is a solid basement upon which we are building our own work. Among the current geological issues in Rwanda are:

• Geo-hazards related to the western branch of the East African Rift System that makes up the Western boarder of the country (active volcanism and seismic risks, as well as the landslides).

• Geotechnical and Hydrological problems that raise the need of relevant expertise in the mines and quarries as well as construction sites throughout the country.

• The increasing need of Energy to foster the growing industrial sector appealing for valorization of the country’s geothermal potential.

• The increasing need of raw materials (ores, oil, gas, etc.) to boost the country’s economic growth appealing for the implementation of new exploration/mining approaches.

In light of the preceding, a dynamic network of young geoscientists is of interest in Rwanda. Therefore, we are tailoring activities aiming at communicating with the different stakeholders (policy-makers, Universities, Private Companies and state institutions as well as the local communities) about ways to address the geological issues raised above. A main component of our work is promoting the education of geosciences through raising awareness about how they contribute to confronting societal issues.