Completion of the Internal Negotiation Competition - Empowering the Next generation of Negotiators

As part of our commitment to capacity building under the Professional Development Program, the Center for Law and Innovation (CLI) at Certa Foundation launched the second edition of the National Negotiation Competition. This initiative gives law students across Rwanda a platform to develop practical negotiation skills and reinforces the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in legal practice.

In December, CLI trained over 40 law students from five leading law schools, University of Rwanda (UR), Kigali Independent University (ULK), University of Kigali (UoK), Independent Institute of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK), and INES Ruhengeri through intensive negotiation and ADR sessions. Experienced facilitators, including past winners of the competition, led the training, guiding students through negotiation strategies, communication techniques, and problem-solving skills with real-world simulations.

After the training, each university hosted its Internal Negotiation Competition, where students applied their knowledge in simulated trade and investment negotiations. The winning teams are now advancing to the National Negotiation Competition, where they will compete for the chance to represent Rwanda in the International Negotiation Competition.

This competition goes beyond academics; it invests in Rwanda’s legal future. By integrating ADR into legal education, CLI is shaping a generation of legal professionals skilled in negotiation and mediation critical tools for building an accessible, efficient, and sustainable dispute resolution system. Strong collaboration with law schools and their leadership has played a key role in making this initiative a success.

Through this initiative, CLI continues to advance Rwanda’s vision of becoming a regional leader in ADR, ensuring that future legal professionals are prepared to lead in negotiation, mediation, and dispute resolution advocacy.

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