International Partnership - Rwanda delegation visits Palatinate - Environment and Tourism
With the prolonged visit of a delegation from Rwanda, the Palatine community of Kallstadt aims to foster closer collaboration with the eastern African country. "We will see what ideas come up during the exchange," said Mayor Thomas Jaworek. He can propose, besides contact with a cooperative in Rwanda, an exchange of the Pfalzwald Biosphere Reserve, as well as cooperation between museums and schools. "Grassroots partnerships like these require a lot of heart and soul." The visit is planned from today Wednesday to Tuesday (30.7.).
One aspect is tourism, said Jaworek. "We will, for example, look at alternative accommodation options on a camping site and in a youth hostel." The interaction between tourism and environmental protection is also a topic that interests Rwanda. "At the request of the guests, we will look at beekeeping and honey production and can try various honey varieties," explained the CDU politician.
Honey from the Palatinate, coffee from Rwanda
"For comparison: The district of Rutsiro in Rwanda is roughly the same size as the entire Pfalzwald Biosphere Reserve. The mayor - among us rather a county administrator - is responsible for about 300,000 inhabitants. Kallstadt has 1,250 inhabitants," said Jaworek. He had the opportunity to observe partnership projects between Rhineland-Palatinate and Rwanda last year in the context of the exchange. "A highlight was the visit to the Bitenga Basecamps, which we were able to realize with Kallstadt funds and support from the state."
The Palatine community had collected approximately 5000 Euros in 2022 through the sale of Rwandan coffee and beverages at a Corona vaccination event and private donations. "With this, we were able to realize the Basecamp as a project funded by the state within the partnership." Now it's about laying the foundation for further steps.
- The delegation from Rwanda is interested in establishing a partnership with the commune of Kallstadt in Rhineland-Palatinate, particularly focusing on tourism and ecology.
- Mayor Thomas Jaworek suggested exploring the possibility of cooperation between a cooperative in Rwanda and Kallstadt's Pfalzwald Biosphere Reserve.
- During their visit, the Rwandan delegation will explore alternative accommodation options in a camping site and youth hostel in Kallstadt.
- The delegation has shown interest in learning about beekeeping and honey production in Kallstadt, as well as trying various honey varieties from the Palatinate region.
- Last year, Mayor Jaworek had the opportunity to observe partnership projects between Rhineland-Palatinate and Rwanda, highlighting the collaboration on the Bitenga Basecamps.
- The funds raised through the sale of Rwandan coffee and beverages at a Corona vaccination event and private donations allowed Kallstadt to contribute to the realization of the Bitenga Basecamps as a project within the partnership.
