Africa-Press – Rwanda. Youth leaders from various districts in Kigali attended a two-day Rwanda Reflect Seminars whose aim was to educate the youth on the causes of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, its historical context, and Rwanda’s journey towards recovery.
The event which was organised by Rwanda We Want and International Alert Rwanda run from April 24-25 and was held in line with the 30th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Rwanda We Want is a forum dedicated to fostering youth leadership, while International Alert Rwanda works to address the root causes of conflict. The seminars explored Rwanda’s history, focusing on governance, education, media, and international factors that contributed to the genocide.
Colbert Rulinda, the Executive Director of Rwanda We Want, emphasised the importance of engaging young people in discussions about Rwanda’s history.
“Often, youth find themselves not engaging in conversations with their parents, resulting in a lack of knowledge about history. This seminar aims to bridge that gap by providing youth with the opportunity to learn extensively about Rwanda’s history,” he said.
The first day of the seminar examined governance during the colonial period and pre-1994, emphasising how genocide ideology gradually took root.
Lonzen Rugira, a researcher, pointed out that governance plays a pivotal role in shaping societal attitudes and behaviors, which can either foster unity or incite division.
Lonzen Rugira, a researcher and Lambert Kanamugire from AEGIS Trust in a panel discussion at the seminars
Lambert Kanamugire, an official from AEGIS Trust, a non-profit organisation dedicated to preventing genocide, led participants through the state of governance and education before the genocide, illustrating how these sectors contributed to the spread of divisive ideologies.
Ariane Inkesha, the Country Director of International Alert Rwanda, stressed the need for youth to understand history, saying,
“It’s crucial for the youth to delve into our history, as it equips us with vigilance and discernment, enabling us to recognise the warning signs that may jeopardise Rwandan unity.”
Joyce Musabe, an expert in education and curriculum, discussed the transformative changes in education after the genocide, stressing their role in promoting unity and resilience. She noted that education is a cornerstone for societal progress and reconciliation.
Joyce Musabe, Educational and Curriculum Expert, emphasized the pivotal role of education in the sustainable rebuilding process
The second day began with powerful testimonies from Emmanuel Bizimana and Ezekiel Twiringiyimana, both participants in USAID Rwanda projects and active members of the Rwandan youth community. They shared their personal stories of loss and recovery. Twiringiyimana lost his parents during the genocide, while Bizimana’s father was a genocide perpetrator. Despite their differing backgrounds, they found common ground through youth groups, which helped them integrate into society and engage in conversations about Rwanda’s history.
Participants during the Rwanda Reflect Seminar at St Famille
Participants also explored the role of the media in the radicalisation and mobilisation leading up to the genocide.
Solange Ayanone, a member of the City of Kigali Council and a journalist, explained how the media was used to incite violence before the genocide but noted the significant progress made since then. Today, journalists in Rwanda have greater independence and freedom to report without constraint.
Additionally, Ayanone discussed the responsibility that comes with social media use, urging young people to use social media platforms to educate others and to prioritize fact-checking.
Albert Rudatsimburwa, a journalist, echoed this sentiment, warning of the dangers of misinformation on social media and encouraging vigilance in sharing accurate information.
The seminars concluded with group discussions, where participants shared their key takeaways and expressed their commitment to promoting a positive and united Rwanda. They highlighted the importance of using social media responsibly and learning from past mistakes to prevent them from happening again.
Parfait Busabizwa, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Arts, praised Rwanda We Want for organising the seminars and stressed the role of youth in building Rwanda’s future. “The youth represent a reservoir of solutions; they are integral guardians of the future,” he said.
Parfait Busabizwa, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Arts, in his remarks thanked Rwanda We Want for preparing such seminars aimed at educating youth about Rwanda’s history.
Over 60 youth representatives from Rwanda We Want, USAID Dufatanye Urumuri and the National Youth Council attended Rwanda Reflect Seminars. The seminars are set to take place in different regions during the 100 days of commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Joseph Nsengimana, retired politician and diplomat, educate youth participants on the international factors during the seminars
Participants follow a presentation during the Rwanda Reflect Seminar at St Famille
Solange Ayanone, member of the Council of the City of Kigali and a journalist, Albert Rudatsimburwa, a journalist and Tito Harerimana, a media influencer stressed on the importance of using social media appropriately.
Emmanuel Bizimana and Ezekiel Twiringiyimana give their testimonies at the seminars
Ariane Inkesha, the Country Director of International Alert Rwanda and Colbert Rulinda, Executive Director of Rwanda we want, at the Rwanda reflect seminars.
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