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Welcome to the WCO RWANDA-FESPAD 2006 website.
There are few more important tasks facing the world today than healing the wounds of Africa. Its problems seem insurmountable, and Rwanda, scarred by an especially brutal conflict, might seem to be a hopeless case.
It is precisely the scale of these challenges that makes Pan-African Festival of Dance such a remarkable and wonderful event. Rwandans have not given up hope; instead, they have turned to the riches of their culture to reconstruct their nation. Through FESPAD, Rwandans are building peace and inaugurating a new type of cultural diplomacy. They also hope to revitalize their economy, improve their quality of life and create a new industry of cultural tourism. Rwanda¡¯s culture has sustained the nation's spirit; now it has a chance to secure its economic health.
We believe that culture can be harnessed to serve peace and development. Events like FESPAD prove, simply and movingly, the truth of that belief. Therefore, we call on the international community - artists, tourists, healing - arts practitioners and humanitarians - to come to Rwanda, present your work and enjoy the pageantry of FESPAD. Your attendance is the best way to support Rwanda's renaissance, and to contribute to a new movement in cultural diplomacy.
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