From Memory to Action Through Kwibuka

On April 11, 2025, students in the Master of Public Administration program at James Madison University organized Kwibuka 31, the annual commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Led by Rwandan graduate students and supported by faculty, staff, and campus partners, the event brought together students, faculty, the Rwandan community in the DMV area, and a delegation from the Rwandan Embassy to the U.S. to honor the lives lost, recognize survivors’ resilience, and reaffirm a shared commitment to human dignity and the principle of “Never Again.” 

“Kwibuka,” meaning to remember in Kinyarwanda, is observed every year from April 7 to July 4, which marks the 100 days of the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. At JMU, the commemoration served as both a memorial and an educational space for reflection and dialogue. The 2025 program provided historical context on the genocide while inviting participants to engage with broader themes of prevention, remembrance, reconciliation, and resilience. Through remarks, moments of remembrance, testimonies, and facilitated reflection, attendees confronted difficult history in a way that emphasized learning, empathy, and collective responsibility. 

The event was coordinated by a dedicated team of faculty from the Department of Political Science, MPA students, and recent graduates, including Maurice Isabwe Rusagara, Ghilain Kajyibwami, and Christian Bahire (MPA ’26), Divine Mutoni Kitoko, Bangaly Diakite, and Emery Rwandanga (MPA ’25). Their work included partnership building across departments, fundraising, program coordination, and community outreach. The commemoration exemplified how the MPA program prepares students to translate academic training into meaningful public engagement and ethical leadership. 

Kwibuka 31 was made possible through strong collaboration with key campus partners, including the Department of Political Science, the Institute for Constructive Advocacy and Dialogue (ICAD), the Department of Justice Studies, and the Nelson Institute. These partnerships contributed to the success of the event and reflected JMU’s commitment to interdisciplinary engagement and to addressing global and historical issues through education and dialogue. 

Planning is now underway for Kwibuka 32, JMU’s 2026 commemoration of the genocide, scheduled for April 24, 2026. This year’s event will continue the tradition of honoring victims, learning from history, and reaffirming the commitment to “Never Again.”

This year’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Bojana Coulibaly, Harvard African Language Program Manager and former Postdoctoral Fellow in African Studies at Harvard University’s Department of African and African American Studies. Her presentation will explore themes of memory, justice, and reconciliation within the broader context of post-conflict recovery, offering academic enrichment through a leading scholar’s perspective on Rwanda’s history, culture, and peacebuilding. 

Through Kwibuka, MPA students exemplify the program’s commitment to ethical leadership, public service, and global awareness, demonstrating how academic training can translate into meaningful civic engagement and institutional impact.