On September 12th, Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer, visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda, where he paid tribute to the 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi laid to rest there.
After laying a wreath at the mass graves, Bourla toured the memorial’s exhibits, which recount Rwanda’s history from pre-colonial times to the tragic events of the genocide, its devastating aftermath, and the country’s remarkable journey of reconciliation and unity.
During his visit, Bourla was introduced to the peace and values education program, an initiative by Aegis Trust that fosters healing, encourages forgiveness and promotes sustainable peace. The program operates through three Community Peace Centers across Rwanda including one at the Kigali Genocide Memorial itself, where people of all ages come together to reflect on the country’s painful past and draw lessons for the future. These centers have also become incubators for peace initiatives that positively impact local communities.
Reflecting on his visit in a TIME article published on September 16th, Albert Bourla noted that as a child of Holocaust survivors, rebuilding shattered communities and fostering peace holds personal significance for him. He commended the Kigali Genocide Memorial – and the Aegis Trust, which runs it on behalf of the Ministry of National Unity & Civic Engagement – for establishing “an incredible model for creating peace and forgiveness”.
“Amid the darkness of conflicts around the world, the Kigali Genocide Memorial offers hope. It presents real stories of individuals who have managed to transcend tragedy and build new lives. It documents how we descend into hate, and the steps we can take toward peace. It teaches us that violence is avoidable; that a better future is possible; and that humanity has the strength to make it so,” Bourla wrote in the Time100 Voices article.
