Home » Marking Kwibuka 31

Marking Kwibuka 31

Posted: April 6, 2025
Written by: Genocide Survivors Foundation

This coming Monday, April 7, is the International Day of Remembrance for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. This year will mark the 31st commemoration as many will gather around the world to remember and honor the more than one million innocent men, women and children who were brutally and systematically murdered during the months of April to July of 1994 –murdered because of their Tutsi ethnicity.

The remembrance period, known as Kwibuka in Rwanda, (Kwibuka means to remember in Kinyarwanda), is an opportunity for the world to reflect on the domestic and international dynamics which enabled the genocide which is widely described as a “preventable” genocide.”

The Kwibuka period is also an opportunity to learn from this tragic past by recommitting ourselves to fighting the ideology of genocide around the world and promoting peaceful co-existence amongst all people. In environments ridden by hate and extremism, we believe that the recognition of the basic rights of all people and a commitment to co-existence is the starting point – and the only road to peace and security.

For survivors and those of us in genocide prevention and human rights work, this year’s Kwibuka period is made even more painful by the many crises around us which cause more suffering and trauma on top of our preexisting trauma.

The ever-increasing and alarming levels of hate and extremism have led to many innocent lives being cut short. Moreover, many more lives remain in danger across many corners of the world. For many of us, it is increasingly becoming difficult to remain hopeful as we feel more and more emotionally overwhelmed and paralyzed. But we cannot lose hope. Despair is NOT and cannot be the answer to these turbulent times.

As difficult as it is, each of us must continue to ask ourselves what we can do to add to understanding, empathy, and recognition of our common humanity. Here we recall the wise words of Martin Luther King Jr. that as human beings, “we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Dr. King went on to remind us that “we may have come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” We would do well to remember and live by these wise words.

Despite these extremely difficult times, Genocide Survivors Foundation continues to believe that a better future and a more secure and peaceful future is possible. We also believe that education, and learning and applying the lessons from past human atrocities, is the best way to create a better future.

Upcoming Kwibuka 31 Programs

As we prepare for Kwibuka 31, we are sharing some of the Kwibuka 31 educational programs taking place in New York City and Washington, D.C..

1. United Nations Department of Global Communication and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Rwanda program.

Monday, April 7 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET.
Download the UN event flyer (PDF).

2. The Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the UN, in collaboration with the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut Rwandan Community program

Monday, April 7 from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET.
GSF founder, Jacqueline Murekatete will be one of the panelists at this program
Download the Permanent Mission event flyer (PDF).

3. Embassy of Rwanda in Washington, DC program

Monday, April 7 from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM ET
Download the Embassy of Rwandan flyer (PDF).

4. New York University (NYU) program

Tuesday, April 15 from 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Download NYU event flyer (PDF).

Find Additional Kwibuka 31 Events

For information on additional Kwibuka 31 programs taking place throughout the United States or to find a Kwibuka 31 event near you, please visit the following Ibuka USA website link which lists the calendar of events: Kwibuka 31 Calendar – Ibuka USA

Organize A Kwibuka 31 Program

There are opportunities to host and/or organize a Kwibuka 31 program in your own community. Ibuka USA has provided resources for you to organize a powerful and memorable program which can be found here: Kwibuka – Ibuka USA

Finally, and throughout the 100 day commemorative period, you can find and engage with many of the Kwibuka 31 programs taking place around the world by simply searching for the hashtag: #Kwibuka31 on all social media platforms.

Thank you in advance for doing your part. Together we achieve more.

Category: News