As Rwanda remembers the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, young people play a central role. They make up a significant part of our country’s population, and their participation in commemorations matters deeply, both for keeping memory alive and for ensuring it is passed on accurately to future generations. Young people are key to preserving the past and learning from it, so they can help build a better future. Their involvement in remembrance events is not just an act of respect; it is a commitment to ensuring that the lessons of history are never forgotten. By taking part, young people help make sure that such a tragedy is never repeated.READ ALSO: Our Past event to go to QatarREAD ALSO: Nduhungirehe to youth: Avoid complacency, safeguard unityAcross the country, many young people are actively engaging with Kwibuka, joining the Walk to Remember, participating in discussions, expressing themselves through art, and supporting initiatives like the Our Past Commemoration Event. Beyond in-person involvement, many are also using social media and other online platforms to educate others, raise awareness, and share stories that deepen our understanding of history. In doing so, they help keep memories alive while also reflecting on how the past continues to shape their present and future. It is wonderful to see young people taking a genuine interest in their history and wanting to share it with others, whether online or in person. They are playing a meaningful role in preserving our heritage and ensuring we learn from what happened.READ ALSO: Our Past founder on Kwibuka in Europe, supporting Rwandan diaspora to combat genocide ideologyIt is equally encouraging to see young people actively protecting the truth. They are not only learning about what happened, but also standing against misinformation, especially online, where false narratives can spread so quickly. Many are on a path of continuous learning, questioning, and seeking deeper understanding, going beyond what they have been taught to find knowledge and create change. By speaking out against distortion and promoting accuracy, they are helping to build a more informed and responsible community. They are coming to understand that remembrance is not only about knowing what happened, but about protecting how it is remembered. This is a serious responsibility, and one that many young people are embracing with real confidence and purpose.READ ALSO: One child's ordeal at age nine during GenocideHowever, engagement is not uniform.Some young people choose not to speak out during this period, or step back from public participation, and some even leave the country. This deserves to be understood with care and compassion. People process difficult memories in different ways, and for some, withdrawal is a personal response to the weight of this time of year. Others may step away from social media or public conversations as a way of turning inward. This can be a painful period for many people, and it is important to respect the different ways people choose to cope, so that everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves, whether by speaking out or by stepping back.At the same time, disengagement can become a real concern, particularly when it comes from indifference, misinformation, or an unwillingness to engage with the truth. This reminds us that remembrance is not only something personal. It is also something we carry together.READ ALSO: ‘Our Past’ founder on the role of youth in nation-buildingIt is also worth thinking about how some approaches to commemoration risk changing its meaning in ways that make the occasion feel less significant. While finding creative ways to involve young people is so important, we must make sure those efforts remain respectful and true to what is being remembered. There is a balance to be found between creativity and purpose, always keeping sight of why we gather: to remember, to learn, and to reflect on what happened.Educating younger generations about our history is something we all share responsibility for. It does not fall to any one person or group. Families, schools, organisations, and young people themselves all have a part to play. And this learning cannot only happen on special commemorative days. It needs to happen throughout the year, so we can build a generation that does not merely remember what happened, but truly understands it. By working together, we can help young people develop a deeper understanding of the past and its lasting impact on our present and future, helping them become more engaged and informed members of society.READ ALSO: Activist Intwari on what it takes to mobilise the youth around a causeWe have seen real progress, especially online. Many young people are pushing back against harmful narratives and refusing to give ground when others try to twist or deny what happened during the Genocide against the Tutsi. But even with all this progress, there is still much work to be done. Denial and distortion continue, both within the diaspora and around the world, and that is a reminder that we cannot stop now.Young people have a vital role to play, and it goes beyond simply taking part. They need to take ownership of the truth, of what happened, and of the story of where our country is going.Kwibuka is more than an act of remembrance. It is a commitment to learning from the past and carrying its truth forward to future generations. We need to be honest about what happened, make sure it is understood by all, and move forward together.Christian Intwari is the Founder and Executive Director of Our Past Initiative, a youth-led organization dedicated to educating young Rwandans about the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi while promoting unity, remembrance, and community action.
