Nation-building: Difficult Choices, Sustained Effort, and a Vision for the Future. One thing Rwanda’s journey since 1994 continues to teach me is the importance of seeing beyond the immediate moment, connecting the dots between decisions, and understanding how today’s actions contribute to a much bigger vision. I still remember a jingle from the years following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, warning people about landmines and how to stay safe. From Gacaca to public health campaigns during COVID-19, public awareness has been one of many instruments used to inform, protect and mobilise communities. Campaigns have specific purposes. They do not replace the hard work happening in offices, negotiation rooms, institutions and communities, or out in the field every day. Rwanda’s reconstruction has required addressing immediate needs while planning for generations to come. From women’s representation and environmental protection to mountain gorilla conservation and drones delivering lifesaving blood to remote communities, these choices reflect a long-term vision that places human life, and dignity, at the centre of development. That same commitment extends to safety and security, particularly in a post-genocide society still facing threats to its security, and social cohesion. But safety also means protecting our physical and mental well-being. Mental health practitioners are raising concerns about addiction and deeper societal pressures. I sometimes wonder whether the extraordinary resilience that helped us survive and rebuild has also meant carrying unresolved pain, and whether some of that pain is becoming more visible in younger generations, alongside challenges unique to their time. This is why excessive alcohol consumption, drug abuse and other addictions cannot be taken lightly. Government cannot address these challenges alone. Civil society, families, educators, faith communities and businesses must also take responsibility for creating environments in which families and young people feel supported, valued and empowered. Public awareness campaigns must therefore be continuously evaluated, and tailored to their objectives. But their visibility should never be mistaken for the totality of the work behind them. Nation-building also requires us to cultivate a habit of looking beyond what immediately meets the eye: seeking context, connecting the dots and exercising critical thinking before drawing conclusions. Ultimately, a people-centred approach to governance must go hand in hand with a society that takes responsibility for one another.