Rwandan officials are emphasizing the need to educate youth about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is crucial in fostering unity and reconciliation as well as bringing to an end the cycle of trans-generational trauma

The call was made during the oath conference – a new initiative that seeks to equip young people with the knowledge that helps them understand the history of the Tutsi genocide, unity and reconciliation as a way to achieve lasting peace.

The meeting, held virtually under the theme ‘Uniting Rwandans Under One Identity I am Rwandan’ was organized by Peace and Love Proclaimers, a youth-led non-profit organization founded in 2007 with the intent to foster reconciliation, advocate for children rights and fight HIV/AIDS.

“We only have Rwanda, it is our country and there is neither a replacement nor spare parts to it. So, we should protect it against anyone who would want to divide us or sink us back to where we are coming from,” said Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth and Culture Edouard Bamporiki.

Bamporiki welcomed the initiative saying that such programs show how important it is for young people to take the lead in honoring victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and commit to ensuring Genocide never happens again.

“These days, Genocide against the Tutsi deniers are using a strong weapon that everyone holds; social media.”

Sentiments equally shared by the Ambassador of Israel to Rwanda, Ron Adam.

Sharing Israel’s experience, Adam challenged the youth to “learn and read about the Genocide against the Tutsi and to influence the government of Rwanda and the UN to change the decision-making process of the Security Council.”

Rwandans and friends of Rwanda will on April 7, commence weeklong activities organized to mark the 27th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The day serves to commemorate more than a million people who were killed in the carefully planned massacre that lasted 100 days, from April through July 1994.