The National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) has introduced a week for Rwandans to celebrate national unity and reconciliation, commencing this week, the event will be celebrated annually.

The Commission announced this at a press conference held Thursday at its Headquarters in Nyarugenge district.

According to the NURC president, Jean Baptiste Habyarimana, the idea of holding this week was conceived during the formulation of the National policy on reconciliation.

It was as a result of recommendations collected from Rwandans during various grassroots and national consultations.

The event which is now a policy obligation of the Commission, will serve as a tool for constant evaluation of the reconciliation process and progress.

Habyarimana explained that the Commission hopes that national involvement in activities relating to national unity and reconciliation during the week, to stimulate the interest of every Rwandan will consolidate unity and reconciliation processes as a pre-requisite for sustainable peace and development.

While addressing the media, Habyarimana said that the most outstanding objectives of the week will be to enhance the mobilisation and sensitisation of Rwandans on unity and reconciliation as individual obligations; consolidating community and national ownership of unity and reconciliation processes; publicising and disseminating National Policy on Unity and Reconciliation.

He added that it will also serve as an evaluation instrument channelled through grass roots and national consultations and reflections.

NURC Executive Secretary, Fatuma Ndanginza, underscored that the commission, in its ten years of existence and experience in reconciliation issues, has been able to get Rwanda considered an ‘Island of peace and a paragon of visionary governance and democracy in the region.’

According to her, this is because Rwanda has seen her people move from moments of hopelessness, desperation, and emptiness, to an era of hope and great expectations of peace and prosperity.

During the week, there will be debates on unity and reconciliation in secondary schools and universities in each district.

The commission plans on organising intensive and extensive media campaigns to back up the week’s activities.

At the closing of the week, the commission will organise a consultative conference with leaders of inter-denominational faiths, political leaders, and the private sector aimed at deeper reflection on unity and reconciliation while re-affirming their commitment to addressing these issues as well as focus on the development goals embedded in Rwanda’s Vision 2020.

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