{"id":22312,"date":"2022-07-18T12:58:51","date_gmt":"2022-07-18T12:58:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/rwandan-youth-in-diaspora-urged-to-replicate-walk-to-remember"},"modified":"2022-07-18T13:18:59","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T13:18:59","slug":"rwandan-youth-in-diaspora-urged-to-replicate-walk-to-remember","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/photo\/rwandan-youth-in-diaspora-urged-to-replicate-walk-to-remember","title":{"rendered":"Rwandan youth in Diaspora urged to replicate \u2018Walk to Remember\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>A group of youth who pioneered \u2018Walk to Remember\u2019 in Rwanda has urged their compatriots in Diaspora to use the same approach among others to fight against genocide denial that is on the rise.<\/p>\n

\u201cWalk to Remember\u201d was conceived in 2009 by members of Peace and Love Proclaimers (PLP) to empower the youth of Rwanda and around the world to take a stand against Genocide.<\/p>\n

\u201cWalk to Remember\u201d event is annually organized where Rwandan youth match in remembrance and honour of victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.<\/p>\n

PLP, which pioneered the walk, is an association founded in 2007, by 38 high school students who were at the time at Lyc\u00e9e de Kigali (LDK).<\/p>\n

It has so far over registered 10,000 members in schools across the country according to Naswiru Shema, the Executive Director of the organisation.<\/p>\n

Speaking, on Saturday July 16 to a group of over 100 Rwandan youth from 15 countries, Shema said \u2018Walk to Remember\u2019 if embraced by all Diaspora could attract many youths in the commemoration event and serve as a weapon to fight against genocide denial abroad.<\/p>\n

The young Rwanda Diaspora doing tour dubbed \u201cRwanda Youth Tour\u201d has so far visited different museums that tell the story of Rwanda\u2019s liberation struggle and genocide memorials.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe idea of Walk to Remember is to tell where we come from and where we want to go. That is the message we want to give to Rwandan youth abroad,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Shema who became PLP Executive Director in 2020 said they are working with the government to set up PLP associations abroad where young Rwandans are living and studying.<\/p>\n

\u201cYouth especially in schools should use all their efforts and means to fight against genocide ideology and denial,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Walk to Remember pioneers also launched KU GICANIRO (at the bonfire), an initiative that aims at to commemorate 1994 genocide against the Tutsi by educating youth it’s causes and consequences highlighting youth’s role and responsibility in preventing such atrocities now and in the future.<\/p>\n

During 28th commemoration, KU GICANIRO was attended by Jeannette Kagame the First Lady of Rwanda, other government officials, diplomats and young people in Rwanda.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe youth and the old sit together to discuss issues in the community and find solutions for them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Paul Rukesha , the Director General of Communication and Partnership Cooperation in the ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE) told the youth that genocide denial is on the rise and that they should take lead in the fight.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe genocide denial and distorting facts about 1994 genocide against the Tutsi via YouTube and other social media is on the rise and youth should use different resources to fight against it. They are required to be critical thinkers, use books about genocide and other resources,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Major General Emmanual Bayingana, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence told the Rwandan youth abroad to learn from RPF-Inkotanyi values that stopped 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and liberated the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe struggle Rwanda passed through should be a lesson to youth. The youth should not be discouraged by genocide deniers. They need teamwork to build a strong and peaceful country,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Minister of Youth and Culture, Rosemary Mbabazi urged the youth to combat divisionism both in Rwanda and abroad.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe divisionism led to killing more than one million Tutsi. We only need unity and young Diaspora should also learn a lesson so as to make the right decisions. Where there is a will, there is a way,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Jasmine Kabandana, a young Rwandan living in Belgium said: \u201cwe have learnt about Rwanda\u2019s genocide history and transformation journey. This will give us an incentive to keep being involved in the commemoration process, fighting against negationism and teaching others the history of the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

Serge Gihozo , another young Diaspora said, \u201c As Rwandan youth abroad we should join our efforts in case we detect those who are distorting facts about 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sheha Ruzindana, Rwandan youth living in UK added: \u201cMy role would be when I go back I will talk to my friends and share my experience of social media about the truth of 1994 genocide against the Tutsi so they can also join youth tour in Rwanda next year to understand how unity is at front.\u201d<\/p>\n\r\n