Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi

We are delighted to be joined by the High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda to the UK, His Excellency Johnston Busingye, to lead a keynote address entitled: ‘Rwanda, 30 years after genocide against the Tutsi: The Journey and the Vision’, and Professor Leon Mutesa, Director of the Centre for Human Genetics, University of Rwanda, to lead a seminar entitled: ‘Intergenerational effects of trauma and PTSD following exposure to the 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi.

In Rwanda, thirty years ago, for 100 days from the 7 April, more than one million Tutsis were murdered. Tutsi men, women, children, and babies were mercilessly killed in their thousands in their homes, schools and churches. Frequently the killers were people they knew – neighbours, workmates, former friends, sometimes even relatives through marriage.

Each year since the atrocity, Rwanda commemorates with a period of mourning for 100 days. The national commemoration of the genocide begins on 7 April every year and all Rwandans and friends of Rwanda in and outside the country take part.

The period is known as Kwibuka (‘to remember’). It is a time to learn about Rwanda’s story of reconciliation and nation building. By remembering, we honour the memory of more than one million Rwandans who died in the hundred days of the Genocide but also recommit to NEVER AGAIN for such atrocity.

Please join us to learn about the period, and the lasting impact it has had on the people of Rwanda, the resilience it took for the country to raise from the ashes, the vision and an unshaken will to survive, live and strive as a nation, and how Rwanda has rebuilt itself and transformed itself to the country it is today.

The schedule is as follows:

10.45am Registration

11am Welcome and Introduction. Professor Dibyesh Anand, Interim DVC Global

Engagement and Employability, University of Westminster

11.15am Act of Commemoration

11.25am Keynote Address followed by Q&A. His Excellency Busingye Johnston,

the Rwanda High Commissioner to the UK.

12.15pm Buffet Lunch

1pm Seminar followed by Q&A. Professor Leon Mutesa, Director of the Centre for

Human Genetics, University of Rwanda.

2pm Closing Remarks. Professor Peter Bonfield OBE, President and Vice Chancellor,

University of Westminster.

2.15pm End

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Pavilion, University of Westminster - New Cavendish Campus, 115 New Cavendish Street, London, United Kingdom