Speakers

H.E. Sandrine UMUTONI

Minister of State for Youth and Arts, Republic of Rwanda

Sandrine Umutoni serves as the Minister of State for Youth and Arts since August 22, 2023. Prior to that, she served for 7 years as the Director General at the Imbuto Foundation, a non-governmental organisation founded in 2001 by the First Lady of Rwanda, H.E. Jeannette Kagame, to contribute to the development of a healthy, educated, and prosperous Rwandan society.

Prior to her work with the Imbuto Foundation, Ms. Umutoni was involved with international development institutions and immigrant and refugee communities in Atlanta, USA. Her contributions encompassed education, policy research, and promoting access to literature and the arts in both the United States and Rwanda.

With a strong affection for her homeland, Rwanda, Sandrine Umutoni has a deep passion for community development, social studies, exploring new cultures, and the creative industries. Notably, she authored her debut children’s book titled ‘Nayima’s Prize’ in 2016.

Ms. Umutoni’s educational achievements include a B.A. in International Relations from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, USA. Additionally, she holds an M.A. in French Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Translation from Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. She is proficient in French, English, and Kinyarwanda and has an intermediate level of proficiency in Spanish.