United States – April 6, 2025
In a powerful national effort, Ibuka USA, in partnership with Rwandans living across the United States, academic institutions, churches, and community organizations, has coordinated 32 Kwibuka 31 commemoration events across 21 states and Washington, D.C. This marks the first time in U.S. history that such a wide-reaching, organized calendar of remembrance has been created to honor the victims and survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
This year’s campaign is more than just a milestone in logistics, it’s a moment of truth, healing, and unity.
A Historic First in the United States
Out of the 32 events already confirmed, 24 will take place throughout April, beginning with memorials on April 7, the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide against the Tutsi. Eight more are scheduled for May, and a few additional events are still being finalized as local organizers confirm their dates.
From major cities like New York, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles to smaller communities in Iowa, North Dakota, Maine, and beyond, Kwibuka 31 is being observed in ways both intimate and impactful. Memorials, survivor testimonies, youth forums, academic panels, and interfaith services are among the many formats being used to remember and educate.
Months of Planning, Powered by Community
The success of this nationwide coordination stems from early preparation and a shared commitment to truth and remembrance.
Ibuka USA worked hand-in-hand with:
- Local Rwandan communities and leaders across more than 30 cities
- The United States Rwandan Community Abroad (USRCA)
- Universities and colleges including Harvard, NYU, Purdue, UC Berkeley, and more
- Faith-based organizations and churches offering space, volunteers, and support
- Educators, students, and youth groups committed to learning and sharing
Technology made coordination possible: shared digital toolkits, planning templates, cloud-based event resources, and virtual meetings enabled a consistent, unified effort, while allowing each event to reflect the unique heart of its local community.
Education at the Center of Prevention
While Kwibuka is a time of mourning and remembrance, it is also a powerful platform for education. Many of this year’s events include:
- Survivor testimonies to humanize the history
- Youth-led conversations that connect generations
- Lectures, panels, and discussions on genocide denial, justice, and prevention
- Partnerships with schools and universities to integrate genocide education
These programs emphasize the message that remembrance is not passive, it is active. And through education, we build a world that stands against hatred, denial, and violence.
“This year’s Kwibuka is historic not just because of the number of events, but because of what they represent. This is what it looks like when survivors, communities, and allies come together, with preparation, unity, and purpose, to honor the past and protect the future.” said Marcel Shyaka, President of Ibuka USA.
What This Means for Survivors, Rwanda, and the World
For survivors, this moment brings visibility, dignity, and support. It reminds them that they are not alone, and that their voices are being heard in classrooms, churches, campuses, and communities across the country.
For Rwanda, this is a reflection of global solidarity. These 32 events show that the memory of the genocide, and the story of Rwanda’s resilience, lives far beyond its borders. The diaspora and its allies are standing together for truth and healing.
For the world, this is a call to remember and to act. Genocide is not only a Rwandan tragedy, it is a human tragedy. When communities across the United States gather to say “Never Again,” they are helping build a global culture of remembrance and prevention.
Be Part of Kwibuka 31
Whether you’re a survivor, a student, an educator, or a friend, we invite you to be part of this national movement of memory, unity, and education.
Find an event near you or sign up to host: www.ibukausa.org
Email us: [email protected]
Call: +1 (216) 770-4906
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