Celebrations to mark the International Peace Day will emphasise on raising the public’s awareness of the day’s significance, the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) has said.

The day, that is internationally celebrated on September 21, aims at inspiring communities to work towards realising peace as well as celebrating achievements in peace building.

In an interview with The New Times, the Executive Secretary of NURC, Dr Jean Baptiste Habyalimana, said activities for the are in line with making Rwandans get the real meaning of the day.

"It is not only about celebrations, but based on the government’s commitment in promoting peace, even in the region, we need people to take up their responsibilities right from their families or communities,” Habyalimana explained.

He noted that although the country had been observing the day, there was still need to make the public aware of their responsibilities.

"We still need to make people understand what the day means, and this will enable them to play their respective roles in peace building,” he said.

The Director of Peace Building and Conflict Management at NURC, Laurence Mukayiranga, called on the media to intensify the awareness campaign.

"As part of this campaign, we are also planning to have a ‘National Peace Week’ early next month,” Mukayiranga said.

The day will be held under the "Make Your Voice Heard” and will start with a peace walk from KBC roundabout to Amahoro National Stadium.

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