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Rwanda

Context

More than two decades after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda has made substantial progress in the social, economic and political realms. The country has developed a viable multiparty system, while the determined efforts of numerous state and civil society initiatives are gradually leading the country towards peaceful coexistence between individuals and diverse groups within the Rwandan nations. Despite these impressive gains, however, challenges to sustainable peace remain, most of them stemming from both the period before and after the Genocide. The “Societal Healing and Participatory Governance” programme, implemented since 2015 by Interpeace and local partner Never Again Rwanda (NAR), has provided safe spaces for dialogue and healing,  developed Participatory Action Research (PAR) processes and advocated for increased citizens’ participation, supporting capacity building of local leaders in consultation processes and increasing youth capacities for critical thinking.

Goal


Our programme aims to contribute to the consolidation of a peaceful and inclusive Rwandan society, enabled to overcome the wounds of the past, peacefully manage conflicts and diversity, and empowered to influence policies that are responsive to citizen priorities. This vision is implemented through two axes: healing and participatory governance.

Initiatives

Supporting trauma healing processes

Trauma healing remains a pressing public health issue in Rwanda. NAR and Interpeace have contributed towards addressing this challenge by implementing a psychosocial support group therapy programme over a four-year period, fostering both individual healing and social cohesion. This initiative was carried out on the basis of a research study by NAR and Interpeace in 2015, which showed that many ...
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Promoting dialogue processes

The programme facilitates dialogue spaces in which community members can openly discuss sensitive topics, identify solutions and reach consensus on priorities for peace. The dialogue gives community members of diverse backgrounds an opportunity to regularly convene. The programme has led a number of youth groups that critically discussed issues of trust, identity and stereotyping, and the history ...
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Fostering participatory governance

The participatory governance aspect of the programme helps citizen groups to bring their priorities to the attention of policy- and decision-makers at the local, district and national levels. This makes it possible for decision-makers to consider citizen voices and priorities at critical stages of policy making, public programme development and assessment. Interpeace and Never Again Rwanda also wo...
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Resources

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Healing Trauma and Building Trust and Tolerance in Rwanda

Publication

1 April 2019

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International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda – Message from Scott M. Weber, Director-General of Interpeace

Publication

7 April 2017

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Terre, identité, pouvoir et mouvements de population dans la région des Grands Lacs – Forum des parties prenantes régionales

Publication

8 February 2016

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Forum Régional de Kinshasa

video

13 January 2016

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La paix par le dialogue et l’education – credo commun à 7 organisations dans la région des Grands Lacs

Publication

12 January 2016

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Educators on “Ecole du débat” program

video

2 May 2013

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Evaluation of the Rwanda peacebuilding programme (2009-2011)

Publication

9 November 2011

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La participation citoyenne: Un des enjeux de la démocratie au Rwanda

Publication

15 October 2010

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Identité ethnique et cohésion sociale au Rwanda: Analyse critique des défis politiques et socioéconomiques

Publication

15 September 2010