Peace is a “must” and a pre-requisite for sustainable development.
Today, we joined the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day of Peace 2022. The theme of this year – “End Racism. Build Peace.” – reminds us of how racism and other kinds of hate and stereotypical messages continue to poison people’s hearts and minds, which erodes the peace we all seek.
An example is the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, which was a result of long encouraged and enabled politics of divisionism and hatred based on discrimination. Although the people spoke the same language, had the same beliefs and cultural systems, they still brutally killed each other, just because of their differences and identities.
To this day, in far too many communities and varied contexts, peace seems like an unattainable dream. People fight each other because of their differences in religion, ethnicity, materialistic rivals, etc, yet they can choose to work together to curb shared challenges like COVID 19 pandemic, poverty, climate change effects, inequality etc.
To celebrate the day, we have collaborated with Rwanda’s Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement alongside other partners to convene a youth parliamentary dialogue at the Parliament of Rwanda. The dialogue was held under the theme: The Rwandan model in upholding unity and sustainable peace – the role of youth in ending hate speech.
We believe that to lay a solid foundation for our future peace, it is necessary to nurture the passion, dynamism, creativity, and commitment of young peacebuilders and provide them with the tools to build peace in their schools, families, and respective communities.
The event convened more than 500 youth from all districts of the country, policy makers, development partners and CSO representatives. It kicked off with a ceremony of watering a peace tree, a ritual that was started in a similar event, back in 2014 at the Parliament of Rwanda garden. The tree is a reminder of everyone’s role in sustaining ideals of peace throughout generations.
In a country that has known conflict and violence, still dealing with so many of its consequences, has nurtured a culture of hard work and discipline, which has enabled its people to deter violence and killings among communities. All speakers alluded to the country’s commitment to peace, through enacting laws, establishing policies, creating platforms and spaces to teach young people about the country’s history, spreading messages of unity and reconciliation among many others. Some of the key quotes from the dialogue are;
“We all have a shared responsibility to stand for and pursue peace, which is one of the pathways to achieving #SDGs. What Rwanda offers through this dialogue is a new pathway to addressing some of the regional and global challenges.” – UN Rwanda Resident Commissioner, Mr. Ozonnia Ojielo
“Let’s celebrate #PeaceDayRw2022 today, but let us all, every day, and in all actions, create and uphold peace. Spread Love, speak out against hate speech and listen to understand. It starts with me and you.” – Ambassador of Sweden to Rwanda, Johanna Teague
“I am an artist. I was discouraged from singing Ndi Umunyarwanda songs by adults, but I never stopped trying. As youths, we must be bold and committed to convincing adults of the consequences of hate speech and rather spread messages of #Peace and #unity.” – Youth, Jean Marrie Vianey Niyonkuru
“One can not give what they do not have. You cannot build peace when you still have wounds. There is need for concerted efforts in our families and schools to heal the wounds and teach young people our truthful and unbiased history. “ – Deputy Executive Directir at Never Again Rwanda, Eric Mahoro
“Ntabwo hakubakwa amahoro arambye urubyiruko rutabigizemo uruhare. Hakwiye gushyirwa imbaraga mu gushyiraho imbuga zihoraho urubyiruko ruhuriramo rugatanga ibitekerezo rugashaka n’ibisubizo ku mbogamizi ruhura nazo.” – Peace & Love Proclaimers Member, Agasaro Sharon
“Navukiye mu muryango wakoze Jenoside ndetse nigishijwe amacakubiri, gusa nabashije kurenga ayo mateka niyemeza gufatanya n’abandi kubaka igihugu kuko Leta yagiye idufasha kumva neza icyerekezo cy’ubumwe n’ubwiyunge.” – Mugorewase Rachel
“Amateka mabi igihugu cyacu cyanyuzemo akwiye gutera urubyiruko imbaraga zo gukosora amakosa yakozwe kandi ubuyobozi bwiteguye kubashyigikira, kubaha urugero rwiza, umutekano n’icyizero cyo kubaho mu mahoro.” – Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Jean-Damascène Bizimana –
“Twebwe nk’Inteko Ishinga Amategeko tuzakomeza gutora amategeko akumira anahana imvugo zuje urwango, twibanda ku gutanga umusanzu mu kubaka amahoro n’ubumwe no guha umwanya urubyiruko ngo rubashe gusobanukirwa amahoro arambye.” Speaker at Parliament of Rwanda, Mukabalisa Donatille.
Some of the resolutions from the dialogue include, but are not limited to;
- Fighting hate speeches among youth and adults
- Creating more safe spaces for peace
- Enacting laws and policies to fight hate speeches
- Teach youth to use social media effectively.
As an organization with peacebuilding as a core pillar for 20 years now, we have been working with youth and adults under various programs and projects with the aim of preventing genocide, building peace, fostering societal healing, and managing conflicts. We do this by providing safe spaces for youth to discuss the root causes of conflict and overcome their wounds. We also equip youth with critical thinking skills, to foster empathy, appreciate diversity and develop a sense of tolerance and self-responsibility.
Speaking about #Peace is not enough. We also need to nurture a lifestyle that promotes peace. Devoted to peace building, we commit to equipping the young generation with the tools and capacity to play a meaningful role in shaping efforts to fight hate speech, address stereotypes, prejudice, and polarization, promote social cohesion and build inclusive and peaceful societies in their contexts.
Peacebuilding is a journey…….we press on towards lasting peace.
By Immy Mulekatete