SOUTHERN PROVINCE

HUYE – The National University of Rwanda (NUR) through its Centre for Conflict Management (CCM) is set to launch  a Masters Programme in Genocide Studies and Prevention, an official at the centre has said.

Ernest Mutwarasibo, the programme development assistant at the CCM explained that the programme that will start in April this year will provide students with a clear understanding of the complexities of genocide.

"As a society that suffered from genocide just 15 years ago, Rwanda has an understandable interest in the issue of genocide studies. The country is in the centre of turbulent region with armed groups like the Forces for Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) who still harbours genocide ideology,” said Mutwarasibo.

He added, "This makes it well placed to offer such a programme that will address among other things, prevention and intervention of genocide, challenges and complexities faced by post-genocide societies.”

The two-year evening programme to be offered in Kigali City mainly targets people in employment with special interest in genocide studies.

The programme is seen as ideal for a nation still in the process of recovering from the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and which continues to face immense challenges left by the genocide.

These include genocide ideology, trying alleged perpetrators, and providing for the social, educational and health needs of survivors.

According to Mutwarasibo, the programme is not limited to Rwandans, "we are expecting international students and researchers to enrol for the programme. It is important that they get first hand information other than relying on stories from suspicious sources,” said the official.

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