The second Multi-Stakeholder Forum of the ANSWER project took place on 10 September 2025 at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV), gathering 67 participants from diverse sectors to advance disability inclusion in higher education in Rwanda.

Representatives included assistants from public (24) and private (16) higher education institutions, NGOs (10), teacher training colleges (6), ministries (4), pre-primary and primary schools (3), as well as participants from an assistive technology company, a training center, a boarding centre for children with autism, and a government agency. Notably, eight participants with disabilities actively contributed to the discussions.

The forum’s main objectives were to review policy recommendations from the Interim Multi-Stakeholder Forum Report (D8.4) and to collect inputs for the upcoming Proposal for a National Strategy on the Effective Implementation & Monitoring of Disability Inclusion in Higher Education (D8.6).

A dynamic group activity formed the centerpiece of the event, with participants divided into six groups tasked with identifying priority measures to strengthen the participation of students with disabilities in higher education. Each group selected the most critical measure within their category and evaluated it against feasibility, urgency, and implementation timeframe. Findings were presented and debated collectively, with the goal of consolidating key policy actions.

The forum concluded by emphasizing the importance of identifying both generic and specific challenges hindering implementation and proposing practical remedial actions for responsible institutions. Despite concerns over time and budget constraints, participants agreed that the recommended measures remain both realistic and essential for progress.

Closing remarks were delivered by Mr. David Mugabo, Advisor to the Minister of State of Education, who underlined the significance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in driving inclusive education forward in Rwanda.