On 4 December, the Aegis Trust hosted a groundbreaking research-for-policy conference titled ‘Negotiating the Reconstruction Policies in the Vernacular in the Digital Age’ at Kigali’s Ubumwe Hotel. The event brought together Rwandan researchers, youth, policymakers and partner organizations to explore how technology can effectively support healing, memory preservation, and sustainable peacebuilding in post-genocide Rwanda.
The conference examined Rwanda’s innovative approach to integrating traditional norms with digital technologies in post-genocide reconstruction, while exploring the delicate balance between modernity and tradition in contemporary Rwandan society. Four compelling research papers presented by Rwandan scholars addressed critical topics including the Families Evening Forum (Umugoroba w’Imiryango), the benefits and challenges of digital mental health support, strategies for addressing online hate speech, and the psychological impact of social media on Rwandan youth.
During his opening remarks, Aegis Country Director Alphonse Munyentwali expressed gratitude to partner organizations for their commitment to nurturing Rwandan research talent. “The Aegis Trust remains committed to bridging researchers, policymakers and practitioners, ensuring research is effectively shared and drives impactful policy development,” he emphasized.
Louis Busingye, representing the Embassy of Sweden, praised the Aegis Trust’s dedication to research excellence. “Last year’s conference featuring youth research on health demonstrated the sustainability of this initiative, showcasing our collective commitment to promoting Rwandan scholarship,” Busingye noted.
Dr Felix Ndahinda, Research Advisor at the Aegis Trust, highlighted a significant shift in Rwanda’s research landscape. “A few years back, most published studies on Rwanda were not by Rwandans,” he observed. “With the help of the Aegis Trust, we now have many of our papers published on the Research Hub.” Dr Ndahinda also expressed appreciation for the intellectual freedom provided to researchers: “I am grateful to the Aegis Trust for allowing us the freedom to solve the questions that drive our research.”
In his closing remarks, Dr. Theoneste Rutayisire, Director of Research and Policy Development at the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement, reflected on how homegrown solutions like Gacaca and Itorero have enabled Rwandans to draw from their cultural heritage to promote unity and shared values. “I urge researchers to go beyond the local audience and publish their findings in international journals to inform communities that remain unaware of these important topics”, he commented.
