Experience from Rwanda: Memories of Genocide and Psychosocial Effects on Young Adults and Peacebuilding

The 1994 Rwandan genocide is commemorated through reconciliation efforts that work to rebuild ties between genocide survivors and perpetrators. This event will outline the impact that narratives of genocide play in constructing how youth in Rwanda today perceive their relationships with survivors and perpetrators. The discussion will highlight the impact of memories on reconciliation efforts, and analyze the implications on the peacebuilding process, especially through the narratives of young people born of genocide perpetrators. Ultimately, the conversation will outline the linkages between psychological concepts and peacebuilding and propose recommendations to strengthen reconciliation. 

The Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding (SVNP) is a continent-wide network of 22 African policy, research, and academic organizations that works with the Wilson Center’s Africa Program to bring African knowledge and perspectives to US, African, and international policy on peacebuilding in Africa. Established in 2011 and supported by the generous financial support of Carnegie Corporation of New York, the project provides avenues for African researchers and practitioners to engage with, inform, and exchange analyses and perspectives with US, African, and international policymakers in order to develop the most appropriate, cohesive, and inclusive policy frameworks and approaches to achieving sustainable peace in Africa.