Thematic Approach

GIRES, the Global Institute for Research Education & Scholarship commemorates the 29th Anniversary of the 1994 Rwanda Genocide. Reflecting upon the tragic events that unfolded and to honor the memory of the victims we aim to approach the theme from multiple dimensions, fostering a deep understanding of the past while emphasizing the urgent need for genocide prevention and promoting healing and unity.The ultimate goal is to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the Rwanda genocide, its aftermath, and the critical need for collective action in preventing future genocides. The conference’s multidimensional approach aims to foster empathy, raise awareness, and ignite a global commitment to honor the past while working towards a more just and compassionate future.

The conference will be organized around the following thematic approaches:

Theme 1: Remembering the Past: Honoring Lives Lost and Stories Survived: This theme provides a solemn space to remember the lives lost during the genocide and to honor the stories of survivors. We hope that personal testimonies, artistic expressions, and memorial tributes will bring the memories of victims to the forefront, reminding us of the human toll of hatred and violence.

Theme 2: Understanding the Rwanda Genocide: Root Causes, Context, and Lessons: This theme delves into the historical, political, and social factors that contributed to the genocide and wishing that through analyses and discussions light will be shed on the root causes of the tragedy, enabling attendees to comprehend the context in which it occurred and to extract crucial lessons for the prevention of future atrocities.

Theme 3: Reconciliation, Healing, and Rebuilding: The Rwanda Experience: Rwanda’s journey towards reconciliation, healing, and rebuilding forms the focus of this theme. We hope to highlight the initiatives, projects, and dialogues that have fostered unity and recovery underlining the nation’s resilience and determination to overcome the divisions of the past.

Theme 4: Global Responsibility: Preventing Genocide Through International Cooperation: This theme addresses the role of the international community in preventing genocides. We hope that discussions will center around diplomatic efforts, early warning systems, and global cooperation, emphasizing the shared responsibility to intervene and prevent mass atrocities.

Theme 5: Educating for Prevention: Media, Education, and Raising Awareness: Exploring the vital role of education and media, this theme highlights the power of raising awareness to prevent future genocides in order to explore strategies to counter hate speech, promote tolerance, and build a more inclusive world.

Theme 6: Arts and Culture in Commemoration and Healing: Arts and culture play a pivotal role in this theme, showcasing how creative expressions help commemorate the Rwanda genocide and contribute to the healing process wishing to demonstrate the role of artistic endeavors in fostering remembrance and resilience.

Theme 7: Lessons for the Future: Genocide Prevention in the 21st Century: This theme addresses the contemporary challenges and opportunities in preventing genocides and focus on the development of effective early warning systems, the importance of global cooperation, and the necessity of a collective commitment to preventing such atrocities in the 21st century.

This conference proposal seeks to create a platform for scholars, practitioners, activists, and artists to delve into the profound intersections of collective memory, oral history, history of violence, racism, colonial history and identity along with the interconnected disciplines.

Proposed Topics 

• Historical Context and Causes
• Genocide Prevention and International Response
• Survivor Narratives and Resilience
• Reconciliation and Unity Efforts
• Gender Perspectives on the Genocide
• Education and Memory Preservation
• Trauma and Healing in Post-Genocide Society
• The Role of Arts and Culture in Commemoration
• Transitional Justice and Accountability
• Socio-Political Impacts of the Genocide
• Role of International Tribunals and Justice Mechanisms
• Memory and Identity: How the Genocide Shaped Rwandan Identity
• Role of Children and Youth in Remembering and Preventing Genocide
• Lessons Learned and their Global Applicability
• The Role of Media in Remembering and Shaping the Narrative
• Socioeconomic Recovery and Development Post-Genocide
• Interfaith Initiatives for Healing and Reconciliation
• Genocide and Mental Health: Long-term Psychological Effects
• Diaspora Communities and Their Connection to Rwanda’s Memory
• Genocide Denial and Its Consequences

Proposed Formats (Lingua franca: English)
-Individual papers (GIRES will included it in a panel)
-Panels (up to 4 presentations-chaired by one of the presenters or appointed by GIRES)
-Roundtable presentations (chaired by one of the presenters or appointed by GIRES)
-Poster presentations
-Student presentations (one paper presented by up to 3 young scholars)
-Keynote speech (depending on the time availability)
-Pre-recorder presentation (s) (Asynchronous Platform)
-Pre-recorder presentation (s) (Synchronous-live- Sessions: live participation of presenter (s) during the Q&A sessions)

Publication Opportunity 
The Organizing Committee and GIRES Press will publish the most powerful and dynamic presentations of the conference and include them
in a collective volume in the form of short articles and/or long essays. For more information please contact us

Live Sessions Recording
All participants have the option to have their presentations recorded (during live sessions) in HD quality. The recordings will be uploaded to GIRES media for unlimited access and dissemination.

Asynchronous Options
All participants have the option to have their presentations (video/audio/text) uploaded to our Virtual Platform. All  registered participants will have access to the material for 5 days.

Our proposed topics & formats are not restrictive and we invite additional germane ideas
Due to the restrictions of Corona Crisis our event (for the time being) will take place VIRTUALLY