Outreach Programme on the 1994 Genocide against
the Tutsi in Rwanda and the United Nations

Portrait of Secretary-General António Guterres
I call on all political, religious and civil society leaders to reject hate speech and discrimination, and to work vigorously to address and mitigate the root causes that undermine social cohesion and create conditions for hatred and intolerance.
Candle Lighting Ceremony for the memorial at the General Assembly Hall

© UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Friday, 12 April 2019

Events — New York

Memorial Ceremony
General Assembly Hall
United Nations Headquarters, New York.

Commemorative meeting to mark the 25th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, organized by the Department of Global Communications and the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations.

Event Details

Monday, 8 April 2019

Events — Geneva

Memorial Ceremony
Palais des Nations, Geneva.

Tuesday, 9 April 2019

Events — Paris

Memorial Events
UNESCO, Paris.

Around the world

Commemorative and educational activities were organized by UN information centres around the world. Activities included:

  • Ankara
  • Antananarivo
  • Brazzaville
  • Dakar
  • Dar es Salaam
  • Dhaka
  • Islamabad
  • Kathmandu
  • Lome
  • Lusaka
  • Nairobi
  • New Delhi
  • Pretoria
  • Tehran
  • Yerevan
Event Details

Event Details — New York

Memorial Ceremony

Friday, 12 April 2019
General Assembly Hall
United Nations Headquarters, New York

Photos Photos (Flickr)

Commemorative meeting to mark the 25th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Organized by the Department of Global Communications and the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations.

Annual Commemoration - NYC

(01:04:23)

Panel Discussion

"The Genocide Convention at 70: From Definition to Implementation"

Tuesday, 26 March 2019
ECOSOC Chamber
United Nations Headquarters, New York

Programme PDF Photos (Flickr)

"The Genocide Convention at 70: From Definition to Implementation," with Father Patrick Desbois, recipient of the Raphael Lemkin Award for exemplary work in the fight against genocide.

Organized by the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations and the World Jewish Congress.

Play Performance

"Miracle in Rwanda"
— A play by Leslie Lewis and Edward Vilga

Monday, 29 April 2019
Express Bar
United Nations Headquarters, New York

Invitation PDF

"Miracle in Rwanda" play performance based on the life of New York Times Bestselling author of Left to Tell, Immaculée Ilibagiza. The play, crafted by Leslie Lewis and co-creator Edward Vilga, chronicles the dramatic events of Ms. Ilibagiza during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

Organized by the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations and the Department of Global Communications in collaboration with the Acuity Productions.

Miracle in Rwanda — Play about a Genocide Survivor

(00:03:26)

Kwibuka25

Kwibuka25 Conference
— Remember - Unite - Renew

Monday, 20 May 2019
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

165 East 56th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenues
New York City

Flyer PDF

Kwibuka25 Conference "Remember, Unite, Renew: Preserving memory and upholding humanity through cooperation and shared responsibility in fighting impunity and Genocide denial"

Event Details — Global

Antananarivo
Madagascar

A commemorative ceremony and student briefing, including a candle lighting, and prayer with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Rwandan community.

Brazzaville
Republic of the Congo

A candlelight ceremony and a poster exhibition and a panel discussion with the Ambassador of Rwanda and the Head of the Department of History within the National University.

Dhaka
Bangladesh

A workshop for students and teachers at Dhaka University, featuring a poster exhibition, video show, discussion and commemorative candle lighting.

Islamabad
Pakistan

Commemorative event for university students and lawyers featuring audio-visual images and survivor testimonies and a panel discussion.

Kathmandu
Nepal

Outreach activities to high school students, including an audiovisual display and the distribution of an animated book, a poster exhibit and social media engagement.

Lome
Togo

A panel discussion with journalists on the role of media in the genocide and the dangers of xenophobia, racism and intolerance.

Lusaka
Zambia

Educational outreach activities for secondary school students and bulk SMS messages with information on the Genocide.

Nairobi
Kenya

Commemorative event for students, the diplomatic community, Kenya government representatives and Rwanda community organized in collaboration with the Rwanda High Commission. The event featured a film screening, candle lighting and discussion and was covered live on television in Kigali.

New Delhi
India

Ceremony co-organized with the Rwandan Embassy accompanied by a student event and interactive exhibit created by students and photo exhibit.

Tehran
Iran

A seminar and panel discussion for university students and the causes on consequences of genocide.

Video Clips

Secretary-General's Remarks
(00:04:55)

General Assembly President's Remarks
(00:05:01)