Conference Program

Thematic Description

As the socio-political situation of the world has become more complex and uncertain, crises of all kinds have emerged in various areas of society: for instance, last three years’ global pandemic, the current Russia-Ukraine war, the Middle East crisis, etc. All of these have not only challenged the global order but had strong impacts on our daily lives. Under such circumstances, we are urged not only to watch closely what is taking place at the current moment around the globe, but also to look back to certain historical events that then shocked the entire world in order to find some clues and logics for the present situation. The 1994 Rwanda genocide can be considered one such shocking historical moment that happened not too long ago in our recent human history.

Clashes and conflicts can be of many kinds. For Huntington, the major driver of the contemporary world’s tensions is the difference of cultures that have their own religious identities. In terms of Rwanda’s tragedy, it seemed an ethnic conflict had played a significant role. As hidden tensions among different ethnic groups were inflamed by external forces, cruel slaughters among neighbors near and far spiraled out of control. Such brutality is beyond human reasoning and imagination. However, even today conflicts and savage killings are still taking place in many parts of the world. Questions may arise: For what purpose do human beings want to eliminate one another? What is the cause of human hatred against others? Why are we not able to stop the large scale of human brutality that occurs constantly in our history? How might we prevent conflicts and clashes? Can we find good measures and methods? Are we able to learn from the lessons of the historical past?

On April 7, 2023, Rwanda and the international community will once again commemorate the genocide against the Tutsi which took place in April 1994. The McLean Center for the Study of Culture and Values of the Catholic University of America, in collaboration with Hekima University College in Nairobi, will to use this opportunity to hold an online conference entitled “Healing a Wounded Society: Challenges, Reconciliation, and Hope in Rwanda.”  The goal of this online conference is to honor the victims of the tragedy, but especially to explore theological and ethical dimensions of this unforgettable devastation. In our increasingly divided world today, it is necessary and urgent to find ways of healing deep tensions and wounds and promoting peace, reconciliation, and cooperation.

A group of scholars who have reflected on the Rwandan tragedy will share their insights and experiences during the two panels of the conference.

Contact

Marcel Uwineza

Hekima University College

Nairobi, Kenya

mwizasjbc(a)gmail.com

cua-rvp@cua.edu