Vanessa currently lives in Kigali, Rwanda, in the Kanombe district near the airport. Originally from this town, she has spent her whole life there with her family. She is a student of education sciences and also works as a teacher in a nearby school.

1. Global challenges and related solutions

1. Wars and international conflicts

Vanessa identifies armed conflict – particularly the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran – as one of the world’s biggest problems. Wars cause loss of life and the destruction of essential infrastructure – stunting countries’ economic and social development: “Wars kill everyone, and that’s not good for anyone: governments should make it a priority to find the root causes of conflict and provide solutions”.

2. Drug abuse and its social consequences

Vanessa identifies drug use as a major obstacle to global development. She notes that this particularly affects certain regions of Africa such as Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as other continents, notably America: “drugs prevent people from working and contributing to the development of their countries “. In her view, the problem is exacerbated by the involvement of certain leaders in this scourge – whether they are consumers or organisers of trafficking.

3. Economic opportunities for young people

Vanessa stresses the need to create economic opportunities for young people in Rwanda. She notes that many young people do not have access to stable jobs or training appropriate to the needs of the labour market or to setting up a business.

4. Inclusive education

Vanessa is particularly sensitive to the lack of support for children with disabilities. She is calling for efforts to be made to ensure that they can be integrated into schools or referred to special schools – stating that “everyone should have the right to a quality education, regardless of their abilities”.

2. Rwanda’s challenges and related solutions

1. Overcrowding in certain regions

Vanessa points out that Kigali, where she lives, suffers from excessive population density, while other areas of the country remain underpopulated: “some places are so overpopulated that land prices are rising to very high levels, while other areas remain empty and poor”. She identifies this inequality as an obstacle to balanced development.

2. Health infrastructure

Vanessa believes that Rwanda’s healthcare system, although “promising”, needs to be improved: “some people still die because the services in hospitals are not good enough or are too far away”

3. Economic opportunities for young people

Vanessa stresses the need to create economic opportunities for young people in Rwanda. She notes that many young people do not have access to stable jobs or training appropriate to the needs of the labour market or to setting up a business.

4. Inclusive education

Vanessa is particularly sensitive to the lack of support for children with disabilities. She is calling for efforts to be made to ensure that they can be integrated into schools or referred to special schools – stating that “everyone should have the right to a quality education, regardless of their abilities”.

3. If Vanessa were President of the World…

If Vanessa were President of the World, she would prioritise the following actions:

• Strengthening world peace: Vanessa would give priority to resolving international conflicts, believing that wars are the main obstacle to global development. In her view, “the first role of a world leader is to listen to citizens and understand the root causes of conflict”. She would set up international platforms for dialogue to convince the leaders of countries in conflict to live in harmony and avoid confrontation. For Vanessa, showing “the consequences of war on people and infrastructure” can motivate leaders to change their approach.

• Improving access to healthcare: For Vanessa, global health is an absolute priority. She would deploy resources to improve access to healthcare, particularly in disadvantaged regions. “Pandemics have shown that we need to be prepared to protect everyone”. Vanessa would introduce a comprehensive training system for healthcare workers and encourage medical research to combat new health threats. She would also like to raise public awareness of hygiene to prevent the spread of disease.

• Tackling economic inequality: Vanessa plans to create a fairer economic system in which “everyone has opportunities to achieve their goals”. To achieve this, she would set up microcredit programmes accessible to all, as well as initiatives to encourage entrepreneurship: “rather than giving people what they want, we need to show them how to get there themselves”.

• Proposing ambitious ecological policies: Vanessa considers environmental protection to be essential. She would strengthen cooperation between countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energies. She would also seek to educate people about the importance of preserving nature, “an indispensable condition for human well-being”.

4. Vanessa’s dream world in 2050

In 2050, the world is at peace. Respected international institutions promote dialogue between nations, resolving conflicts before they arise. Pandemics are now well under control: health establishments are equipped with the best technologies, and infectious diseases are prevented through improved hygiene and universal health education; vaccines available to all have eliminated the most dreaded viruses.

Drug abuse has been curbed thanks to effective educational campaigns and appropriate rehabilitation programmes. Community centres now welcome the most vulnerable people, offering them a second chance to contribute to society.

Rwanda has benefited from all these favourable developments, and more: Kigali, once overpopulated, has managed to decongest its central districts thanks to demographic redistribution policies. Rural areas, now equipped with modern infrastructure, are attracting families and young entrepreneurs. We are seeing an urban exodus. Vanessa, who still lives in Kanombe, admires the perfect balance between nature and urbanisation that now characterises Kigali.

In education, a decisive turning point has been reached. In addition to an increase in the number of vocational training courses accessible to young people, children with disabilities, who were previously too often left on the sidelines, now benefit from inclusive schools that promote their potential

Vanessa, now a university professor, is playing an active role in these changes. She teaches at the University of Kigali, in a course specialising in teacher training. At the same time, she runs a small international trade business, exporting Rwandan handicrafts to European and Asian markets.

Vanessa, 46, is married with three children. She lives in a spacious house in Kanombe, the district of Kigali where she has always lived. Her carefully designed home has ten rooms, including an office where she prepares her courses and projects. The decor, which is both modern and warm, aims to “reflect her personality”: sober colours, natural wooden elements and Rwandan arts and crafts adorn each room.

When she’s not working, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her family and friends. At weekends, she often organises picnics on the shores of Lake Muhazi – a popular destination for its tranquillity and picturesque scenery.

Holidays are a special time for Vanessa and her family. She loves exploring other African countries, such as Tanzania and South Africa. She hopes one day to explore Asia with her family, fascinated by Eastern cultures.