The Kigali Genocide Memorial will mark the inaugural International Day of Genocide Commemoration and Prevention on 9 December 2015. The event will bring together friends and partners of the memorial to remember the more than one million Rwandans killed in the Genocide against the Tutsi and share the work of the memorial to prevent genocide in Rwanda and around the world. The date also marks the anniversary of the signing of the 1948 UN Genocide Convention.
The ‘International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime’ was unanimously adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2015.
The Kigali Genocide Memorial is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi. Since it was established over 15 years ago, the memorial has become a home for survivors as well as a place of learning for the next generation of Rwandans and visitors. Each year, almost 80,000 people visit the memorial.
In marking the international day, the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide and the Aegis Trust will join the international community to honour the victims of the Genocide, support survivors and share the work being done to prevent genocide, in Rwanda and elsewhere.
As part of these prevention efforts, a new education centre has been built at the memorial. The centre hosts tens thousands of teachers and students every year to learn about the Genocide and peace building. The memorial has also expanded its historical exhibition, opened a new reception and constructed a 1,200 seat amphitheatre, which is used for remembrance and community building events. The additions to the exhibition include audio-visual content that ensures the memorial is evolving alongside the social context including post Genocide reconstruction.
“Survivors call the Kigali Genocide Memorial ‘home’,” says Manager Honore Gatera. “The memorial holds a very special place in our hearts. We chose to host the event here to show the work we are doing to remember those killed in the Genocide and how we are honouring their memorial by teaching about our shared humanity.”
At the event, guests will learn about the daily activities of the memorial and be encouraged to become ‘Friends of the Kigali Genocide Memorial’ so they can be part of the remembrance and prevention work of the memorial.
Event Details
International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime
Date: Wednesday, 9 December 2015
Location: Kigali Genocide Memorial (Education Centre)
Time: 5-7pm
