Speaking to IGIHE, Jackiline Hansen explained her efforts to raise awareness among students about the genocide ahead of the 32nd commemoration period.
Hansen said her commitment to this work began within the Rwandan community in the Jylland-Fyn region through Kwibuka activities organized to honor victims of the genocide.
“My commitment began with our early initiatives within the Rwandan community in Jylland-Fyn, particularly through Kwibuka activities dedicated to commemorating the victims of the genocide,” she said.
She noted that from a young age, she felt a personal responsibility to share Rwanda’s history and ensure that the truth about the genocide is preserved.
“From a young age, I made it my mission to convey the truth about Rwanda’s history, guided by my convictions and the lessons I have received,” she explained. “I strongly believe that every Rwandan has a responsibility to defend the memory of our history, especially in the face of those who distort, downplay, or even deny it.”
As part of her awareness efforts, Hansen recently led educational sessions in six schools across Copenhagen, where she engaged more than 400 students in discussions about the genocide and its lasting impact.
The sessions created a space for dialogue and reflection, focusing on themes such as collective responsibility, justice, the reconstruction of Rwandan society after the genocide, and the country’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable development and strengthen resilience among its population.
Hansen recalled one particularly memorable moment during the sessions.
“During one session, some students invited their parents to join the discussion, showing that passing on memory can go beyond school walls and reach the wider community,” she said.
According to Hansen, the strong engagement from students highlighted the importance of educating younger generations through consistent initiatives that preserve historical memory and promote understanding.
“Speaking about our history as Rwandans is a true responsibility,” she concluded.
The event brough together over 120 people, including Kenneth Viagem Marizane, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Labor, Gender, and Social Affairs; Dr. Anabela Inguane, who represented the President of the Maputo City Council; and Rwanda’s Ambassador to Mozambique, Col (Rtd) Donat Ndamage.
Sangwa Aline, the Commissioner responsible for women’s development within the Rwandan community in Mozambique, emphasized that celebrating this day reaffirms the value women hold in the country’s development.
“Let us make the most of the opportunities granted to us by our country, build our self-confidence, and empower ourselves,” she stated.
Ambassador Col (Rtd) Donat Ndamage underscored that Rwandans have a duty to continue developing a nation that prioritizes gender equality, where women and girls play a full and active role in the country’s social, economic, and political life.
He remarked, “We must continue to build a country marked by equality, justice, and sustainable development, where women and girls are fully involved in the governance and life of the country. Women, do not hesitate, you are capable. In partnerships, you are no longer merely helpers.”
Ambassador Ndamage further stated, “Women have a significant role in the governance of the country. In the National Assembly, 63% are women, 28% of local government leaders are women, and 15% are deputy leaders of local governments. Although these numbers remain low, there is hope that they will continue to rise.”
He also expressed gratitude to President Paul Kagame and President Francisco Daniel Chapo of Mozambique for their continuous efforts in promoting women’s rights, gender equality, justice, and their inclusion in decision-making positions, reiterating that the citizens of both countries are one family.
Kenneth Viagem Marizane praised Rwandan women in Mozambique, saying, “Rwandan women are hardworking, intelligent, ethical, and truly beautiful.”
The Rwandan Embassy’s dance troupe in Mozambique entertained the attendees with traditional Rwandan songs and dances, particularly those celebrating the accomplishments of women. Following this, the event continued with social interaction and networking.
“A Woman is of Value” is the Theme for This Year’s International Women’s Day.The Rwandan Embassy’s dance troupe entertained the attendees at the event.The event also included a socializing session.Ambassador Col (Rtd) Donat Ndamage thanked the Presidents of Rwanda and Mozambique for their efforts in promoting women’s rights.Kenneth Viagem Marizane highlighted that Rwandan women are hardworking, intelligent, and ethical.The leaders gathered for a commemorative photo with Rwandan women living in Mozambique.It was an exciting atmosphere at the Polana Serena Hotel, where the event took place.Everyone danced to the best of their ability.
The Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in the United States shared the update on X, highlighting that the retreat brought together diaspora leaders from across the country to discuss strategies for contributing to national growth.
The gathering comes just months after the Rwanda Convention USA 2025, held from July 4 to July 6, 2025, at the Irving Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. The event marked a significant reunion for the Rwandan diaspora, coinciding with the 31st anniversary of Rwanda’s Liberation Day and U.S. Independence Day, creating a festive and celebratory atmosphere.
At the convention, diaspora professionals connected with Rwandan financial institutions, including Bank of Kigali, Equity Bank, BPR, and the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), which is increasingly involved in investment opportunities.
Attendees explored avenues to invest in real estate, technology, and other sectors. Cultural celebrations featured traditional dance troupes and performances by popular artists such as The Ben, Meddy, Kevin Kade, and Element EleéeH, showcasing Rwandan heritage to the diaspora community.
Attendees also accessed government services on-site, including assistance with opening bank accounts and obtaining administrative guidance from Rwandan representatives.
The 2025 convention attracted thousands of participants, demonstrating the diaspora’s commitment to strengthening ties with their homeland.
The Washington retreat builds on this momentum, focusing on practical steps to harness the diaspora’s resources, knowledge, and networks in support of Rwanda’s ongoing development, with unity, youth participation, and strategic engagement seen as key drivers for the country’s future.
The retreat brought together Rwandan diaspora leaders from across the United States to discuss strategies for contributing to national growth.The retreat was also aimed at strengthening community unity and promoting youth engagement.
In an interview with IGIHE, Batamuriza Ange, one of the event organizers, explained that the initiative aims to strengthen ties within the diaspora while introducing the richness of Rwandan culture to a wider audience in the United Kingdom.
The event scheduled on March 21, 2026, in Coventry, West Midlands, was organized by the West Midland (Coventry) RCA. Activities will run from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Wibabara noted that “Rwanda Cultural Day” will feature a variety of activities highlighting the country’s cultural identity. The program will include traditional music and dance performances, opportunities for community interaction, and a chance to discover authentic Rwandan cuisine.
“Rwanda Cultural Day brings together the Rwandan community and friends of Rwanda to celebrate shared heritage, traditions, and values,” she said.
Beyond the festivities, the event will also serve as a platform for dialogue and connection, allowing members of the diaspora to strengthen community bonds and pass on Rwandan cultural values to younger generations growing up in the United Kingdom.
The Rwandan community warmly invites everyone interested to attend “Rwanda Cultural Day” and experience a day filled with culture, unity, and the celebration of Rwanda’s heritage.
Interested individuals can register using the link below for Rwanda Cultural Day
The decision was communicated in an announcement issued on March 4, 2026, by the Rwandan embassy in Doha.
“Due to the current security situation, the Embassy of Rwanda in Doha is currently operating online until further notice,” reads the notice.
The embassy reaffirmed full commitment to continue providing assistance to all those who require its services remotely.
The move comes as Iran continues to launch attacks on Qatar, which hosts a major United States military base.
The rising tensions follow strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, 2026, escalating tensions across the Middle East.
In retaliation, Iran began targeting countries in the region that cooperate with the United States, including Qatar.
As a result of the attacks, several institutions in Qatar have temporarily suspended operations, including the national carrier, Qatar Airways.
Rwandan Embassy in Qatar has moved services online.
In a statement, the Embassy reassured that all Rwandans in both countries remain safe.
“The Embassy and Consulate team is in close contact with Rwandans within our jurisdiction and is coordinating with relevant entities to ensure our citizens receive the necessary services and support,” the statement read.
The advisory comes in the context of a critical escalation in the region following heavy strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, which began on February 28, 2026. Iran has retaliated against neighbouring countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain, causing disruptions to air traffic and widespread panic.
The Embassy urged all Rwandan citizens to follow the safety instructions issued by local authorities and particularly called on tourists stranded in the UAE to register their presence with the Embassy to facilitate necessary assistance.
The advisory comes in the context of a critical escalation in the region following heavy strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, which began on February 28, 2026.
Young people and adults from several countries shared experiences and personal stories, creating a space where memory, identity, and intergenerational transmission took center stage.
Personal journeys and inheritances
Senator Amandin Rugira delivered a moving account of his family and professional journey. Raised in a household that rejected tribalism, he said his parents instilled values of love, respect, and integrity that later guided his career as an economist and public official.
He recalled that defending such principles under the regime of Juvénal Habyarimana came at a heavy cost, making him and his family targets during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire spoke about the complexity of her own identity. The daughter of a woman convicted for genocide crimes and a Tutsi father, she learned of her mother’s involvement only two years after the events.
As Mukazayire explained, she chose not to be defined by her family’s past but to build her life on responsibility, dignity, and hope. She encouraged young people to own their choices, know their history, and speak the truth with courage, while urging parents to maintain open dialogue with their children.
She illustrated this approach with a powerful moment when her daughter, at age 12, asked whether she should love or hate her imprisoned grandmother. Faced with the question, she and her husband chose transparency, convinced that truth shared within a framework of trust is essential to identity formation and reconciliation.
Nubuhoro Eugénie also shared her experience as the child of a parent involved in the genocide. Raised in exile amid hatred toward Tutsi, she questioned the narratives she had inherited and sought the truth through the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement before returning to Rwanda in August 2025 after 31 years abroad.
Her story underscored the importance of rejecting wrongdoing, even within one’s own family, and passing on truth to future generations.
Youth and social media as tools for truth
Gatete Olivier discussed the role of social media and how young Rwandans living or raised in Europe can use digital platforms to access reliable information. He explained that he initially feared speaking publicly against misinformation about Rwanda, but later launched YouTube programs and created his own channel to counter false narratives. His experience shows how social media can become a powerful vehicle for truth and civic engagement.
In the same spirit, Bryon Mutijima described his active use of online platforms to promote verified information and respectful dialogue. He noted that many young people now rely primarily on digital spaces for news, and that sharing factual content and personal experience can spark reflection and constructive discussion.
Drawing on his entrepreneurial work in Rwanda, he encouraged diaspora youth to explore investment and business opportunities, stressing the importance of preparation, institutional support, and on-the-ground visits to understand market realities.
Barebe Niringiyimana, who lives in Sweden, spoke about growing up in a family that portrayed Rwanda negatively and warned he could be killed if he returned. Seeking clarity, he contacted Rwanda’s embassy office for the Nordic countries, which helped him reconsider. Despite lingering fears, he traveled to Rwanda and encountered a reality very different from what he had been told. After deciding to return last month, he began developing a project in the country—an experience he says opened new perspectives.
Exchanges with the Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Jean Damascène Bizimana highlighted the importance of such initiatives and the role young people can play in strengthening unity and resilience.
Memory, justice, and critical awareness
Other interventions emphasized justice, remembrance, and critical thinking. Lawyer Richard Gisagara spoke about his involvement in trials of genocide suspects in France since 2014, stressing the need for continued vigilance as time reduces the number of witnesses and defendants.
Testimonies from Jean de Dieu Uwizeye and other diaspora youth showed how inherited narratives and propaganda still shape perceptions, underscoring the importance of engaging directly with Rwanda to form an informed understanding of history.
The dialogue concluded with a shared conviction; when memory is approached with responsibility and empathy, it can become a driver of collective resilience.
The gathering reflected the determination of a diverse yet united diaspora to contribute to Rwanda’s future by transmitting truth and strengthening intergenerational cohesion.
The Rwandan diaspora in Europe recently gathered in Paris for a sociocultural dialogue. After years of misinformation, Barebe Niringiyimana returned to Rwanda and launched a promising project.Bryon Mutijima encouraged diaspora youth to use social media to share the truth and take advantage of entrepreneurial opportunities in Rwanda. Gatete Olivier spoke about the role of social media and how young Rwandans living or raised in Europe can use it to access reliable information.Jean de Dieu Uwizeye and young diaspora members highlighted the importance of visiting Rwanda to form one’s own understanding of history, countering propaganda and inherited narratives.Lawyer Richard Gisagara emphasized the importance of justice and memory in genocide trials and urged Rwandans to stay engaged. Nubuhoro Eugénie also shared her experience as the child of a parent involved in the genocide. Raised in exile with hatred toward the Tutsi, she questioned her parents’ accounts and sought the truth from the Ministry of Unity and ReconciliationSenator Amandin Rugira gave testimony about his family and professional journey.Minister Nelly Mukazayire shared the complex story of her own identity
Among the speakers, Frank Kayitare, representing Interpeace, emphasized the importance of addressing legacies of the past with clarity and inclusiveness in order to reinforce community cohesion and resilience.
Speaking before an audience of youth and adults from various European countries, he highlighted the complexity surrounding the transmission of genocide legacies, such as trauma and hate ideology.
In his remarks, he explained that the concept of the intergenerational transmission of genocide legacies reflects a broad and often invisible reality.
According to him, what passes from one generation to the next can take multiple forms, ranging from trauma and silence to guilt, shame, and mistrust. These legacies, he noted, are transmitted both consciously and unconsciously, shaping individual and collective trajectories.
In response to this reality, Interpeace prioritizes the creation of safe spaces that foster dialogue between generations. Such forums enable participants to share their experiences, listen to others, and build mutual understanding in an environment grounded in respect and trust.
For the organizers, this approach represents a key pathway toward preventing memory divides and encouraging a more reconciled engagement with history.
Beyond the formal interventions, the event was enriched by personal testimonies, informal discussions, and cultural moments that strengthened the sense of belonging to a community shaped by diverse journeys yet united by shared memory.
Several participants welcomed an initiative that offers younger generations an opportunity to ask questions, engage with different narratives, and participate in a constructive process of transmission.
Speaking before an audience of youth and adults from various European countries, Kayitare highlighted the complexity surrounding the transmission of genocide legacies, such as trauma and hate ideology.The event held in Paris brought together over 500 Rwandans from across Europe for a sociocultural dialogue. Frank Kayitare, representing Interpeace, was among speakers.
“Hatred does not dwell in me and will never define me; I document historical facts that are irreversible,” said Dr. Bizimana.
He made these remarks on Saturday in Paris during a socio-cultural meeting organized by the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement, in collaboration with the Rwandan Embassy in France and Interpeace, which brought together the Rwandan diaspora in Europe.
The minister explained that his statement was in response to social media attacks by individuals dissatisfied with the current Rwandan revolution, spreading false information that could mislead young Rwandans living in Europe and elsewhere in the world.
The event gathered over 500 Rwandans, focusing on strengthening national unity and resilience among the diaspora, particularly the younger generation born or raised outside Rwanda.
Dr. Bizimana thanked participants for attending, describing the gathering as a moment that united Rwandans through their shared love for the homeland.
Through this dialogue, a strong message was delivered to younger generations: preserve the Kinyarwanda language, understand history, and strengthen ties with the homeland.
The meeting provided an intergenerational space where testimonies, exchanges, and knowledge transmission help build collective memory.
Minister Bizimana has urged Rwandans abroad to uphold truth The event gathered over 500 RwandansDr. Bizimana described the gathering as a moment that united Rwandans through their shared love for the homeland.
Speaking at the event, Rwanda’s Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Jean-Damascène Bizimana, delivered a strong message directed to younger generations: preserve the language, understand history, and strengthen ties with the motherland.
Through testimonies, discussions, and collective reflections, the meeting emerged as a valuable platform for intergenerational dialogue and transmission.
Kinyarwanda language, a foundation of unity
From the outset of his remarks, the speaker chose to speak in French, accompanied by interpretation into Kinyarwanda to ensure inclusivity among participants. A summary was also provided for those not fully fluent in either language.
This linguistic choice became the starting point for a clear call to action: encouraging the learning of Kinyarwanda within the diaspora. “We are fortunate to share a single national language that facilitates communication and strengthens our identity,” he emphasized, urging Rwandan communities abroad to develop local initiatives for cultural and linguistic transmission.
Youth at the heart of discussions
The strong presence of young people born or raised in the diaspora was a defining feature of the gathering. For the delegation from Rwanda, this reality represents a source of optimism. Although geographically distant from the country, these young individuals remain an essential link in cultural and national continuity.
The event also responded to a request expressed by diaspora youth eager to engage directly with representatives from Rwanda in order to better understand the country’s contemporary realities and share their aspirations.
Understanding history to build the future
Discussions also explored memory and historical issues, recalling Rwanda’s complex past and the profound human consequences of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Within this context, the speaker stressed the importance of critical inquiry among younger generations, particularly in response to the wide range of narratives circulating on social media. The objective, he explained, is not to impose a particular perspective but to promote informed understanding grounded in facts, testimonies, and direct exchanges.
Dialogue and sharing experiences
One of the gathering’s key strengths lay in the diversity of speakers. Panelists from varied professional backgrounds and life experiences shared stories closely aligned with those of many diaspora youth.
This practical approach aimed to provide concrete responses to questions surrounding identity, belonging, opportunities, and the different ways individuals can engage while living abroad.
Maintaining ties with the motherland
Beyond historical reflections, the meeting highlighted Rwanda’s transformations over recent decades and the opportunities available to the diaspora, particularly in economic, cultural, and social initiatives.
The central message to young participants was clear and motivating: geographical distance should not be a barrier to engagement. Communication technologies, travel, and cooperation programs now offer multiple pathways to maintain active connections with the country.
A call for unity and transmission
In closing, the remarks turned toward the future, encouraging young Rwandans abroad to take pride in their identity and contribute, in their own ways, to Rwanda’s global presence.
Learning the language, understanding history, and participating in community initiatives were presented as key drivers for strengthening unity and intergenerational solidarity.
Marked by fraternity and dialogue, the gathering illustrates a shared determination to deepen ties between Rwanda and its diaspora, underpinned by a common conviction: unity remains the cornerstone of a peaceful and hopeful collective future.
