Today, as we join the rest of the world to observe the International Day of Peace, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the ideals of peace. This year’s theme, Shaping Peace Together, reminds us all that actions for peace must extend to all governments, multilateral corporations, civil society organizations, citizens and especially youth.
Since Never Again Rwanda’s inception in 2002, we have prioritized youth in all our activities and
initiatives. The basic reason is because youth make up today’s society and they also have a responsibility to mold the future. All our programs and projects focus on meaningful and inclusive participation and engagement of youth as part of the key goal. We engage youth in critical thinking trainings, peace education, promotion of human rights, governance, and healing. We also encourage youth to use their talents like poetry, debate, drama, music, theatre, and football to build and promote peace. Currently, NAR has a network of youth in Rwanda and beyond, totaling to over 10,000 youth including those in our youth affiliated clubs and associations. All the youth are trained on different peacebuilding approaches given Rwanda’s post-genocide context, and they are taught tolerance and mutual respect. In addition, NAR has created a network of youth peace ambassadors in the region and world-wide through its Peace-Building Institute.
Every year, Never Again Rwanda, National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) and other peace actors organize youth-parliamentary exchanges to discuss the role of youth in promoting peace, opportunities, and challenges. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is adding yet another layer of tragedy, NAR in partnership with NURC, alongside other peace actors, has hosted a webinar dialogue with young people. The dialogue is a platform for youth to discuss on their role in promoting peace, challenges, and opportunities as well as their approaches to engage their peers and communities to shape peace together.
On this day, we also commend the Government of Rwanda’s relentless commitment to peace in Rwanda, by establishing different post-conflict and reconciliation mechanisms, integrating peace education in the school curriculum, emphasizing women’s and youths’ role in peace building as well as collaboration with peace actors among many others.
We pledge to continue working with other partners to promote peace and support youth to be agents of peace at family, community, national and global levels.