Kigali- Today on 24th November 2017 at Lemigo Hotel was held a national dialogue on Vision 2020 Umurenge Programme (VUP), the ultimate objective of which was to “learn from VUP successes to boost positive change for poor citizens”. The dialogue gathered members of the media fraternity, the civil society, development partners and government institutions. It offered an opportune moment to discuss and share findings from PAX PRESS’ community debates on the functioning of VUP beneficiaries. Further, the workshop has been an occasion for participants to engage in identifying practical solutions to existing challenges in the implementation of VUP, as well as share recommendations to improve the situations of VUP beneficiaries. In her opening remarks, Mrs. INGABIRE Assumpta, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government, commended Pax Press for organizing such a suitable platform gathering policy makers and implementers, development partners and media practitioners to exchange on the implementation of government policies for the betterment of citizens’ lives. She reiterated the contribution of VUP since 2008 in curbing extreme poverty (from 36.9% in 2010/2011 to 16.3% in 2013/2014 as per EICV) through direct cash transfers to the most vulnerable elderly people, public works to earn reasonable wages for rural people, and easy access to loans for people with little income. To these three VUP components have been added more flexible public works (known as “expanded public works”) for households with caring responsibilities, and “Minimum Package for Graduation” to accelerate reduction of severe poverty. Mrs. INGABIRE Assumpta lauded the media’s great contribution in exposing VUP underlying challenges so as to enable decision makers take appropriate measures.    To illustrate VUP achievements, a documentary film produced by Pax Press was launched not only to portray how VUP positively impacted beneficiaries’ lives, but also expose underlying challenges. In the latter case,  delayed payments, reluctant access to “Financial Services” loans and high interest rate (11%), the non-inclusiveness of vulnerable people like people living with disabilities and people with caring responsibilities in public works (pregnant and breastfeeding women) are among persisting issues. Mr. NDIKUBWIMANA Jean Baptiste, the representative of PLWD in Kinigi Sector, expressed the wish for VUP/ Public Works to be thoroughly inclusive and cater for people living with disabilities by incorporating a particular provision in VUP guidelines. Mrs. NIBAGWIRE Roseline, the VUP beneficiary representative in Gasange Sector, Gakenke District, shared her experience on how she improved her daily living, stating that from a 60,000 Frw loan, how she managed to uplift from small livestock (pigs) to cows, built a more suitable shelter (20 sheet roof) and  bought a 300,000 Frw land plot. She revealed that she is now struggling to upgrade from Ubudehe Category One to Two. Mr. GATSINZI Justine, Division Manager of Social Protection at LODA, made an exposé on lots of efforts invested by LODA and partners to improve VUP services. He briefed participants on VUP sub-components of “Minimum Package for Graduation”, and “Expanded/Flexible Public Works” (for households with caring responsibilities). He stated that LODA is committed to 100% timely payments to beneficiaries of “Direct Support” and “Public Works”. Mr. Gatsinzi Justine revealed that “Direct Support” services shall be extended to households with one person labor capacity and caring responsibilities (all this with effect from the forthcoming Financial Year 2018/2019). Under VUP flagship, “Direct Support” services are currently operational in all 416 administrative Sectors, “Financial Services” in 270 Sectors, and “Public Works” in 244 Sectors. Moreover, the VUP sub-components of “Expanded Public Works” and “Minimum Package” have been introduced in 30 pilot Sectors. This workshop was been organized by Pax Press thanks to the financial support from Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA). Pax Press is a journalist network who organizes community debates on citizens’ concerns in rural communities. It annually puts forward the most prominent issue affecting people’s lives for national discussion.