Kwibuka20. Think 1994. Think Rwanda.
Whether or not you were around then, you will have heard something about when this tiny country imploded into one of the most horrific genocides the world has ever witnessed. ‘Genocide’; it’s a curious word. But look at it closely – ‘genocide’; ‘gene’; the idea of a genocide is to wipe out a gene pool. That is what happened in Rwanda in 1994.
2014 marks the twentieth anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. Rwanda is now a country of hope, a country which has moved on immeasurably from the horrors which took place in 1994. I went to Rwanda in May 2013, to participate in the WAGGGS Fifth World Centre pilot. Read more here.
I was inspired by the way in which Guides du Rwanda is embedded in the community, running projects to assist women and children who are affected by violence, much of which stems from the 1994 genocide.
Kwibuka20 is a series of events taking place in Rwanda and around the world. These events lead up to the national commemoration of the genocide in Rwanda, which begins on 7 April 2014, twenty years to the day since the genocide began.
LaSER is inviting members to be involved in this commemoration. There are two ways in which you can participate:
- Be part of A Million Voices to remember the lives lost in the Genocide against the Tutsi, show support for survivors, and join with Rwanda and friends from around the world to work for a brighter future. To take part in A Million Voices all you need to do is create a message that embodies the Kwibuka20 theme ‘Remember, Unite, Renew’. The message can be through a photo, poetry, song, drawing, painting, film or writing. After you have created it, simply upload it to Kwibuka20 Website. You can also record a video message directly through the site.
- The Kwibuka20 Blog Post Competition is a chance for young people to explore issues of genocide, atrocity prevention, conflict and peace-building and show the world the discussions that are taking place in the global youth community. You can answer one of three questions, each related to part of the Kwibuka20 theme: ‘Remember, Unite, Renew’.
Entries will be judged by a panel of experts on genocide prevention and the international media. Winners will be published in the international press and alongside shortlisted entries in the inaugural edition of the Generation for Change journal, Our Voice:
1. Why is it important to remember the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and mass atrocities elsewhere?
2. How can we tackle division and prejudice, and unite around our shared humanity?
3. How can societies rebuild and renew after state-sponsored discrimination, hate and conflict?
Judges are looking for sophisticated analytical skill, coherent arguments and interesting debate. Entries should be between 1000 and 2000 words and can be submitted in English, French or Kinyarwanda.
The twentieth commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi is an important occasion to remember the lives that were lost and unite to ensure it never happens again – in Rwanda or elsewhere. Being part of the Kwibuka20 Blog Post Competition is one way of doing just that.
Entries close on 31 March 2014. Read the rules and guidelines carefully before submitting your entry. Visit the Kwibuka20 Website for more information.