Rwanda: genocide and reconstruction a journey through the genocide of Tutsi

Dates:  June 29-July 25, 2012

OVERVIEW:

The “Genocide Summer Studies Program 2012” will be an intensive two/three-week program with the goal of immersing participants in an understanding of the Rwandan genocide as well as the various structures of violence through a cross-disciplinary approach. The immersion (experience) and the understanding should culminate in personal research. In other words, the goal of the program will consist of approaching the Rwandan genocide in order to achieve a deeper understanding that involves a description of events (experiencing to understand), interpretative analysis (judging), and a personal/group research or responses (deciding). Participants will be exposed to the situation of survivors living with perpetrators. They will visit genocide sites and prisons. They will go through the Rwandan historiography. The program will include: the background of the genocide, the role played by the media in the 1994, the responsibility of the international community, the role of the Church, the genocide denial phenomenon, the concepts of memory and reconciliation, structures and mechanisms of justice systems (Regular courts, Gacaca courts, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda), and some specific topics related to the Reconstruction.

At the end of our study, we will discuss some responses to genocide as a way of testifying and preventing genocide (Artistic representation, human rights reports, independent research, recommendations, etc.). Participants will be invited to an open exchange of ideas about conflict resolution, the recovery of historical memory, and peaceful coexistence.

ELIGIBILITY:

The program is open to all students, faculty, scholars, artists, and other professionals with a sincere desire to better understand the Rwandan genocide. It is an intensive experiential tour of Rwanda aimed at students, scholars, and artists who are working on projects related to the genocide. The program does not provide university credits; however, if desired, we work with the student’s home institution and Rwanda universities to help the student obtain credits. The operating language of the program is English, and when necessary, translations of guest speakers will be provided to all participants.

ITINERARY:

The session will take place during a three-week period from June 29-July 25, 2012 ending with a Theater Festival.  Both programs will include visits of the sites, workshop, lectures by international and Rwandan scholars, and meetings with survivors, perpetrators, and officials. Much of the program will take place in Kigali, the capital city, but participants will also travel to Butare and Gisenyi to meet with experts and to see more of Rwanda.

A visit to Akagera Park (not Gorilla Park) is also being planned.

READINGS:

 Some readings and film screenings will be suggested to participants prior to their arrival. In addition to articles to be distributed or sent electronically, reading will include:

• Rakiya Omaar and Alex de Waal, Death, Despair and Defiance, African Rights, November 1994.
• Margee Ensign and William Bertrand, Rwanda:  History and Hope, November 2009.
• Josias Semujanga, Origins of Rwanda, April 2003.
• Boubacar Boris Diop, Murambi, The book of bones, April 2006.

INSTRUCTORS:

Instructors and guests come from various places and disciplines (African  Universities, European Universities, and American Universities). Confirmed instructors for the Summer 2012 program include:

• Professor Margee Ensign, President of American University, Nigeria.
• Professor Jean-Pierre Karegeye, IGSC Director, Macalester College, Francophone Literature
• Professor Boubacar Boris Diop,Writer, University of Saint Louis/Senegal
• Dr Koulsy Lamko, Writer, La casa Africana, Mexico.
• Professor Wandia Njoya,  Literature, University of Daystar, Nairobi, Kenya
• Dr. Jean Paul Kimonyo, Political scientist, policy advisor in Office of the President of Rwanda and author of Rwanda: The Popular Genocide
• Professor Timothy Horner, Vilanova University, Theology.
• Professor Paul Rutayisire, member of the IGSC, History, University of Rwanda, Butare, Rwanda.
• Professor Josias Semujanga, member of the IGSC, Literature, University of Montreal, Canada
• Rakiya Omaar, Director, African Rights
• Tom Ndahiro, Genocide scholar, Engineer, journalist, and Human Rights Activist.
• Hope Azeda, Playwright, Theater Director, Rwanda.

Contacts:

•  Margaret Brunk mbrunk@macalester.edu  , 2012 Summer program coordinator
• Prof. Jean Pierre Karegeye, jkaregey@macalester.edu, IGSC/Director,
• Aloys Mahwa, mahwasj@gmail.com, program Director
• Erik Ehn,  Erik_Ehn@brown.edu, IGSC-Co-founder

Registration

The registration form is available online : http://www.igsc-rwanda.org/index.php?id=11

And must be completed before June 29th