This GYC program will explore the roots of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, how this legacy of violence has impacted the country and its people, particularly Rwandan youth, and also how the country is attempting to rebuild today.  We will examine issues of truth, justice and reconciliation in the context of post-conflict Rwanda and what is needed to strengthen local institutions and programs dedicated to promoting a culture of respect for human rights.

Delegation participants will connect with young Rwandans, and get involved in a variety of collaborative projects aimed at promoting human rights, in all their complexity, in Rwanda – such as the human right to education/literacy, health-care, water, not to mention social and ethnic diversity.

Participants will meet with leading human rights defenders, government representatives, international institutions, youth and others from local communities to learn more about the political, economic and social challenges faced by Rwandans today. 

A human rights workshop (“learning community”) will bring U.S. participants together with their Rwandan peers to build common frameworks of understanding, analyze shared human rights concerns, build new skills to promote and protect human rights, and share ideas for collaborative projects.

Workshop topics may include: perspectives of human rights in Rwanda and the U.S., creating a shared definition of “human rights,” a case study analysis of international human rights standards, human rights in pre- and post- genocide Rwanda; human rights documentation and monitoring, educational strategies to promote human rights, and critical leadership and action skills.

As a group, we will consider the ways in which young people in the U.S. can help raise awareness on the issues and provide collaborative support to young Rwandans already working to create change.  Through hands-on fieldwork activities, participants will work side-by-side with Rwandans to find ways in which we can share our talents, experience and knowledge to help support existing efforts to strengthen a culture of respect for human rights.