Every year, as Rwanda enters the commemoration period of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the country pauses. This year marks 32 years since the tragedy that affected our nation. Life slows down, conversations deepen, and hearts grow heavier, but also stronger. For many young people, especially those born after 1994, this period can feel distant, like a story from another time. But it is not just history. It is part of who we are.
As youth, we carry a unique responsibility. We did not witness the pain or the loss that people went through during those 100 days. But we live in the Rwanda that was rebuilt from that tragedy. The schools we attend, the peace we experience, the unity we often take for granted, but all of it exists because of resilience, courage, and a collective decision to choose “never again.”
Commemoration is not just about mourning. It is about understanding. It is about asking questions, listening to survivors, and learning the truth. In a world where misinformation spreads quickly, especially on social media, young people must be careful about what they consume and share. Being informed is one of the strongest ways we can honor those who were lost.
It is also a time to reflect on our role in shaping the future. The genocide was built on division, hate, and dehumanization. Today, the responsibility of the youth is to stand firmly against those same ideas, even in their smallest forms. It can be in the jokes we allow, the words we use, or the silence we keep when something is wrong. Unity is not just a national policy; it is a daily choice.
For many, this period can be emotionally heavy. Even if you did not directly experience the events, the stories, memorials, and national mood can affect you. It is okay to feel sadness or confusion. What matters is how we respond. Checking in on friends, supporting those who are struggling, and simply being kind can go a long way.
The youth of Rwanda are often described as the future of the country, but in reality, they are also its present. The way young people think, speak, and act today is already shaping what Rwanda will become tomorrow. Commemoration is a reminder that the future must be built differently with empathy, awareness, and responsibility.
Remembering is not about staying in the past. It is about learning from it so that it never repeats itself. And for the youth, that lesson is clear: protect unity, value every life, and never be silent in the face of division.
Because “never again” is not just a phrase, it is a promise.
Brenna AKARABO
RADIOTV10
