Death & Rebirth: Genocide & Human Rights in Rwanda (offered in collaboration with Global Youth Connect)

Summer - 5 weeks online, 3-4 weeks in country (arrival June 22, departure July 13 or 19 depending on service assignment), 4 credits

This experiential learning program and study visit brings together US students and Rwandan peers in a unique hybrid learning environment to study the 1994 genocide, reconstruction, and human rights achievements and challenges in Rwanda. During the first part of the program, US students will participate in a 5-week online introduction to the history, culture and politics of Rwanda and, to a lesser extent, the Great Lakes region. Topics to be addressed include: a) the roots of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, b) the role its legacy has played within Rwanda and the region, c) “good” governance and the Rwanda Patriotic Front, and d) how the country is attempting to rebuild today.

Students will then travel to Rwanda where they will join with Rwandan peers in a three or four week intensive Global Youth Connect (http://www.globalyouthconnect.org) program to learn about human rights achievements and challenges in Rwanda. They will participate in seminar discussions and work collaboratively to identify concrete action steps to support current and future efforts for human rights protection and promotion. Through a combination of workshops, site visits, advocacy meetings, and volunteer service with grassroots NGOs, students will learn and act on key human rights issues in Rwanda that may include: gender and human rights, human rights of children, LGBT populations, historically marginalized indigenous groups (i.e. Ba’Twa), refugees, poverty reduction, and public health.

The program is designed to give optimal access to Rwanda’s history and people. It is an intensive program geared for highly motivated students. Previous coursework in genocide studies, human rights, and history of sub-Saharan Africa is helpful but not required.

Sample Itinerary (subject to change)

Day 1: Departure from port of origin

Day 2: Arrival in Kigali and transfer to St. Paul's Hostel

Day 3: Orientation and City Tour

Day 4: Human Rights Exploration - full day seminar

Day 5: Human Rights and human Development - morning seminar and afternoon site visit to youth organization

Day 6: Human Rights Protection: The Law and the Media - morning seminar on legal issues and activism and afternoon site visit to media and legal aid organizations

Day 7: Genocide: History, Memorializing and Prevention I - morning seminar and afternoon site visit to Kigali Memorial Center

Day 8: Genocide: History, Memorializing and Prevention II - morning debriefing session, seminar and afternoon site visit

Day 9: Human Rights, Community Service, Natural Disasters - morning departure to Kabuga Village and volunteer service project, afternoon panel discussion

Day 10: Human Rights in the Refugee Context - workshop with refugee youth at Kiziba Camp

Day 11: International Diplomacy and International Aid - morning seminar and afternoon site visits

Day 12, 13: Weekend homestay with Rwandan family

Day 14, 15, 16, 17: Youth and Civil Society - volunteer service projects with grassroots NGOs (past projects have included working on healthcare accessibility, HIV/AIDS education and service projects, after school programming, domestic violence, and legal aid)

Day 18: Optional activity (not included in program fee) - Akagera National Park, Butare Town visit, Muzane District (mountain gorilla or yellow monkey tracking, hiking)

Day 19: Human Rights from the Refugee Perspective - morning visit to Gihembe Refugee Camp and afternoon meeting with UN High Commissioner for Refugees and Camp Youth Council

Day 20: Human Rights from the National Government Perspective - morning debriefing and afternoon site visits to government ministries

Day 21: Human Rights: Sharing, Celebrating, Planning - morning debriefing and closing celebration

Day 22: Departure (or continue service project for additional 7 days)

(NOTE: STUDENTS APPLYING FROM OUTSIDE THE NEW SCHOOL MUST COMPLETE THE PAPER APPLICATION - PLEASE DOWNLOAD FROM THE DOCUMENTS SECTION ABOVE)