The youth must be taught about the Genocide

The youth from Ruhashya sector in Huye district have come out to request for more information regarding the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This is a challenge that confronts the Rwandan youth wherever they may be.

Monday, April 12, 2010

The youth from Ruhashya sector in Huye district have come out to request for more information regarding the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This is a challenge that confronts the Rwandan youth wherever they may be.

Teaching youth about Genocide, is still a very new concept and without doubt a challenging topic. However, it is important to learn about the Genocide, because, creating awareness about it, especially among future generations, is one way of preventing it from occurring again.

The Ministry of Education in partnership with stake holders in the fight against Genocide, should develop training seminars and instructional materials for teachers, to offer them guidance on how to talk to teenagers about the Genocide.

After the students get a clear understanding of what happened in Rwanda in 1994, it will be easier for them to identify actions they can take – both as individuals and groups– to build on the Government’s reconciliatory efforts and to ensure that Genocide does not happen again.

Through these lessons, the youth will learn about the need to take responsibility for such crimes and to speak out for those with no voice.

They need to understand that they do not need to be in defined leadership positions to prevent violence. Each individual has a role to play, and collectively, it makes a big difference.

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