{"id":60232,"date":"2023-12-09T08:47:47","date_gmt":"2023-12-09T08:47:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/aegis-conference-explores-intergenerational-trauma-role-of-post-genocide-youth-in-healing-and-reconciliation"},"modified":"2023-12-09T14:20:47","modified_gmt":"2023-12-09T14:20:47","slug":"aegis-conference-explores-intergenerational-trauma-role-of-post-genocide-youth-in-healing-and-reconciliation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/aegis-conference-explores-intergenerational-trauma-role-of-post-genocide-youth-in-healing-and-reconciliation","title":{"rendered":"AEGIS conference explores intergenerational trauma, role of post-Genocide youth in healing and reconciliation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>AEGIS Trust, an international non-governmental organisation that works to prevent genocide, crimes against humanity and mass atrocities worldwide, on December 7, concluded a two-day conference that unravelled the complexities surrounding Rwanda\u2019s past and its impact on the youth today.<\/p>\n

Under the theme \u201cA Research for Policy Conference \u2013 Navigating Intergenerational Legacies of a Violent Past\u201d with a focus on Rwandan youth, the primary aims were to link researchers to practitioners, including policymakers, facilitate the dissemination of produced work to potential users, and create a safe space for peacebuilding and intergenerational dialogues.<\/p>\n

By doing so, the conference sought to amplify the visibility of locally produced research, catalyse ongoing discussions, and deepen understanding of the youth\u2019s pivotal role in addressing and navigating the shadows of a violent history of the past in shaping the future.<\/p>\n

Some beneficiaries during a meeting<\/p>\n

The gathering also featured keynote talks and research presentations by local scholars seeking to bridge the gap between policymakers and evidence-based insights from the field.<\/p>\n

Exploring how the youth engage with the echoes of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and entrenched traditional gender norms, the conference aimed to pave a path towards healing and progress.<\/p>\n

Claver Irakoze, the project coordinator at AEGIS Trust, said the conference was centred on intergenerational dynamics. \u201cWe are looking into different issues that young people are dealing with in post-Genocide Rwanda in line with the theme.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe question is to examine what young people are inheriting from parents who experienced the violent past, including the Genocide and the persecution that preceded it. Also, how are young people identifying themselves in post-Genocide Rwanda and imagining their future?,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Irakoze added: \u201cSome of the research presented focused on translating and transforming intergenerational trauma, specifically on understanding the experiences and responses of Rwandan youth.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlso presented was the reconciliation process in post-Genocide Rwanda. We are interested in examining the dialogue between young and old people as they work through issues related to inherited trauma, unhealed wounds, and life after the Genocide. Some of these young people live with the shame of coming from families of genocide perpetrators, while others live with parents who cannot speak out about the traumatic events.\u201d<\/p>\n

Irakoze acknowledged that there is intergenerational conflict between parents and children, arguing that the research presented highlighted behaviours that indicate various problems among the youth.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cThe prevalence of drug abuse among young people, family conflicts, a slight increase in suicide rates, depression, anxiety, and trauma all point to the suffering of the younger population in various ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

Communication breakdown between generations is a key issue contributing to the problem at hand, he added. \u201cMany parents choose to remain silent, leading the younger generation to seek their own ways of coping with a past they did not personally experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

He mentioned that there is hope for young people to advance in research after realising that understanding their origin is crucial for success in life. He also noted the importance of policy makers and practitioners implementing highlighted findings.<\/p>\n

Providence Mbabazi, an emerging researcher at Ndabaga Impact, said some young people lack clarity regarding their family history, often obtaining information from sources like the media.<\/p>\n

\u201cFamily matters and experiences linked to their parents can also contribute to trans-generational trauma, notably affecting children of Genocide survivors, particularly during the commemoration period, impacting them directly or indirectly,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Mbabazi added: \u201cIt is crucial for the youth not to assume their family\u2019s past but rather delve deeper to comprehend their history better. Equally, we should embrace a new transformation characterised by love, unity, and patriotism.\u201d<\/p>\n

Johanna Teague Ambassador of Sweden in Rwanda delivers remarks during the meeting.<\/p>\n\r\n