This April will mark the thirtieth remembrance of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis in Rwanda. To assist educators in teaching about this tragedy, the Gross Center at Ramapo College and the Holocaust Resource Center at Kean University have co-organized a three-part seminar series to be conducted virtually.

Wednesday, September 27 at 4:30 pm (Eastern) via Zoom
Dr. Alexis Herr, “Warnings from Rwanda: Social Responsibility and Genocide”

The fact that genocide is never inevitable should inspire hope. But if genocide isn’t inventible and therefore preventable, why does it keep happening? Join us for a discussion with comparative genocide historian Dr. Alexis Herr on Rwanda’s path to genocide, social responsibility, and genocide prevention. Email holgen@ramapo.edu with questions.

Thursday, November 16 at 4:30 pm (Eastern)
Survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda Speak: Providence Umugwaneza and Erick Nkurunziza

Providence Umugwaneza and Erick Nkurunziza will speak about their experiences and those of their relatives during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. To prepare for the discussion, we encourage you to read Ms. Umugwaneza’s memoir, Next Couple of Hours (Cider Spoon, 2021). Ms. Umugwaneza and Mr. Nkurunziza will visit Ramapo College on April 17, 2023 for a memorial commemoration of the thirtieth anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Thursday, January 25 at 4:30 pm (Eastern) via Zoom
Pedagogy: Teaching the human story of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

Dr. Sara E. Brown and Dr Hollie Nyseth Nzitatira have designed curricular resources that draw upon testimonies and social scientific research from Rwanda to teach the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi. It also empowers educators to explore and answer core questions about genocide, such as: What are the causes of genocide? Why do civilians perpetrate genocide? Why do some people rescue instead? How does a country recover after genocide?They will share insights from their experience (collectively, they have been working in Rwanda since 2004) and the more than 500 testimonies they’ve gathered from Rwandans about their experiences before, during, and after the 1994 genocide.