15 May 2021

Owing to Covid-19 plague to remember through gathering and sharing face-to-face conversations did not happen in 2021 and 2020 the way it used to be, it was done virtually. Consequently, during 100-day commemoration period of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Unity Club Intwararumuri had prepared virtual talks via cisco WebEx.

Among those talks that were given during the time of remembering there is one on “The role of authorities and parents in fighting the minimizing and denial of the Genocide against the Tutsi.” It was offered by Hon. Christophe BAZIVAMO on May 8, 2021. The other theme was “the role of authorities and parents in teaching the youth the values of patriotism.” It was offered by Hon. Espérance NYIRASAFARI on April 12, 2021, and the talk on “Preventing Genocide ideology and the crimes associated with it.” which was presented by Dr. Jean Damascene BIZIMANA, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG) on May 11, 2021.

During his presentation Hon. Christophe BAZIVAMO, a member of Unity Club Intwararumuri who is also the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, said that both a leader and parent are educators.

He said, “Both a parent and a leader are educators. They should have and be characterized by the values of integrity, heroism and honesty. They should be persons who are trusted by people who see them, who go towards them and who listen to them, a parent whom children and their colleagues regard as a role model through what they do which is judged perfect and this parent is exemplary to children as they grow physically and mentally and it makes way to their future.”
He continued, “A leader won trust to lead, most of the time it is done publicly. In Rwandan culture a leader is respected, they give regulations and they are conformed to, their activities show the way, they are exemplary, when they initially take part in something it succeeds fast but when they do otherwise it falls behind. Their activities and language are outstanding to everyone, the way they say is exemplary and the way they act is an example.”

During her presentation, Hon. Espérance NYIRASAFARI, the Vice President of the Rwandan senate, urged that a lot of effort should go to helping the youth to visit Genocide memorial sites.

Hon. Espérance NYIRASAFARI “The families and different level of authorities have to emphasise their effort in helping the youth to visit the memorial sites of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, so that the youth understand the genocide, how it was stopped, how they can object to the ones who deny it or minimize it, how they can fight negative ideology and so forth.” She put it.

Hon. Espérance NYIRASAFARI has also reminded Unity Club members that they have to forever be relatively exemplary to others. To offer that reminder, she referred to her Excellency First Lady Jeannette KAGAME in the 13^th forum of Unity Club whereby she urged, “Being Intwararumuri and a leader means to always scrutinize yourself to ensure that you still are the light to the ones you lead or to the children who learn from you.’

During his presentation, Dr. Jean Damascene BIZIMANA, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG), showed the picture of Genocide ideology and of its affiliated crimes whereby he proved that most of these people are aged between 36 and 45 (30.9%). This means that when the genocide was taking place these people were aged between 10 and 19; genocide ideology and its associated crimes were found also among other levels of age include; the ones aged 27-35 (they were born in1993-1985) comprising 22 %; the ones aged 46-55 (they were born between 1974-1965) equal to 18.6 %; the ones aged between 56-65 (they were born in 1964-1955) making up 14.3 % and post-genocide children making up 8% of those charged with genocide ideology.

Dr. Jean Damascene BIZIMANA concluded the discussion by revealing what can help in fighting genocide ideology. He revealed that devoting oneself to understanding the history of the country generally and of the genocide specifically, to educate children the values of Rwandan culture, to vigorously use social media platforms and to make the truth about the history and leadership of the country are among the remedies which can help in fighting genocide ideology.

During all of these discussions the members of Unity Club Intwararumuri were perpetually given enough time to share their views and they all liked the discussions.