International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

The Commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda (on the occasion of the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda ) is organized by the Department of Global Communications in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of Rwanda. H.E. Mr. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang, President of the 79th session of the General Assembly Survivor testimony from Ms. Germaine Tuyisenge Müller, global health researcher, author and educator Special message from Rwandan youth: Cindy Monia Keza Allegra Nshuti Sandrine Amahoro Rutayisire Nelly Darlene Teta H.E. Ms. Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the UN H.E. Mr. Robert Kayinamura , Chargé D'affaires, Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations Moderated by  Ms. Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Music by the String Quartet of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council Symphony O...

65% of the Rwandan population was born after 1994. UNESCO has been supporting the country's authorities for several years to pass on the memory of the genocide to younger generations. This UNESCO initiative is part of its  International Programme on Holocaust and Genocide Education,  run in conjunction with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Already implemented in 30 countries worldwide, it will be extended to around 20 more this year, with the support of Canada and the United States. In this context, UNESCO has also published several tools for policy makers, teachers and education professionals. For example,  the guide ‘Teaching to Prevent Genocide: A Guide for Teachers in Africa’  (in English) provides concrete recommendations to teachers on the African continent on how to teach about violent pasts in and out of the classroom .

Watch the livestream of the Night Vigil /Umugoroba w'Ikiriyo!  

Commemorations of the 31st Anniversary of the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Events in UNHQ in New York on Monday, 7 April 2025. Memorial Ceremony at the General Assembly Hall United Nations Headquarters, New York. Explore the  Programme Read the  United Nations Secretary-General — Message Read the  SUnied Nations Secretary-General — Remarks Memorial Ceremony to mark the 31st anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, organized by the Department of Global Communications and the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations. Events at UN Genev a on Monday, 14 April 2025. Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room (Room XX) Palais des Nations, Geneva Commemoration of the 31st anniversary at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. 7 April 1:00 - 2:00 pm Events — Paris The commemorative ceremony will include: A candle ceremony and a minute of silence, a survivor testimony, musical interludes and ...

On the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, UNESCO and the Rwandan government announced plans to strengthen the educational role of memorial sites, four of which have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2023. They will train managers and staff to receive school groups, enhance the exhibitions and create educational content for use in schools. " What happened in Rwanda concerns the whole of humanity. Education and the media were instrumentalized to transform ordinary citizens into killers. We must tirelessly transmit the history of the genocide, out of duty to the victims and to ensure that such atrocities never happen again. Everywhere, we must make education a powerful tool for remembrance, reconciliation and peace. " Audrey Azoulay; UNESCO Director-General. Commemorative event at Room II, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris. The UNESCO and Rwanda to step-up the role of education in the memorial sites .

  Watch the livestream ''Kwibuka ku nshuro ya 31 Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi''! Tariki 7 Mata 2025 - Kwibuka 31.

This year once again, the UNESCO headquarters hosted a commemorative ceremony in memory of the victims of the genocide. On this occasion, an initiative was announced to strengthen the educational dimension of Rwanda's memorial sites, in particular those of Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero , which will be inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023. It will be implemented in partnership with Aegis Trust and the Rwandan Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE). UNESCO will send a team of around fifteen young researchers, multimedia professionals and Rwandan artists to enhance the memorial exhibitions and improve the signage. Emphasis will be placed on the ‘living memory’ of these sites through the digitization of interviews with survivors, documentary films and photographic projects. The Organization will also train memorial staff in receiving and guiding school groups, connect them with staff at other memorials so that they can share their expertise,...

The date of April 7th , 2025 marks 31 years since the start of the genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi in Rwanda. In the space of 100 days, nearly a million men, women and children, Tutsi, but also moderate Hutu and Twa, were murdered. Learn more about the commemorative ceremony held by UNESCO .