Beyond Hotel Rwanda : Finding Real Peace in Africaʼs Great Lakes Region
The Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation hosted a panel discussion on the future of Rwanda and its regional neighbors on Thursday, June 19th at the Beane Ballroom, Loyola University School of Law, 111 E. Pearson in Chicago, Illinois.
Distinguished Panel Included:
- Paul Rusesabagina, founder of the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation & real life hero of the film Hotel Rwanda,
- Ambassador Robert Krueger, former U.S. Senator and Ambassador to Burundi, (1994-1996),
- Ambassador Robert Flaten, Ambassador to Rwanda, (1990-1993),
- David Zarembka, founder of the African Great Lakes Initiativewhich works on the ground healing and rebuilding communities within the African Great Lakes Region,
- Dr. Brian Endless, Moderator of the Discussion, Loyola University Professor of Political Science and International Relations and the Executive Director of the American Model United Nations International
The focus of this panel discussion was moving the process of Peace and Reconciliation forward in Rwanda and around the Great Lakes Region of Africa. The genocide in Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region may be past, but the need for healing and reconciliation is still very much alive.
While the HRRF is engaged in helping the victims of the genocide in Rwanda and other instances of violence, it also strives to educate the general public about the need for these survivors to move past the events that have defined them for fourteen years. Real peace and healing can only occur when the truth is fully revealed. An internationally administered Truth & Reconciliation Commission will go beyond blame, and help survivors by revealing the fate of their friends, family and loved ones, and thereby giving them closure.
David Zarembka of the African Great Lakes Initiative, www.aglionline.org, presented a short, although moving YouTube video describing his incredible and valuable work with Peace Teams on the ground in and around Burundi, Congo, Kenya, Rwanda Tanzania, and Uganda. Zarembka relayed how his workshops never introduce the topics of "forgiveness" as they believe that this cannot be forced. However, he explained, that almost always the topic consistently comes up as the participants in his healing workshops decide on their own how and who they want to forgive, as he believes "this is the only way true forgiveness can happen--innately".
Ambassador Robert Flaten, Ambassador to Rwanda from 1990-1994, gave an account on his work and dedication to the peace agreement, the Arusha Accord that ultimately was dismissed shortly before the 1994 genocide began. He questioned the audience asking them to consider how a nation could take the process of Zarembka's work and take it to the next level, whereas the governments could work within a peaceful model of coexistence.
Ambassador Robert Krueger, Ambassador to Rwanda's neighbor, Burundi, from 1994-96, talked about his admiration for the people of the Great Lakes Region, particularly Burundi, and how he witnessed both ethnicity's being terrorized and slaughtered, just at differing times. He moved the audience when he recalled how the International community did nothing to help these people he lived with, worked with, and admired. He gave suggestions as to what could be done by these same governments to finally right the injustice, and help heal the nations--mostly through a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Paul Rusesabagina, founder of the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation, recounted the days immediately following the genocide, when he went back to check on the rest of his family. He gave a moving account of how his foundation's work--helping the survivors--mainly women and children, began right then--working to help put their lives back in order. He set up housing and began to help get the children back into schools as soon as it became possible. He stated that the heart of his foundation actually started then, in 1994, amongst his own family members...
The audience asked intelligent and insightful questions, one being, how the lessons learned from 1994 and beyond, could be applied to other situations like Darfur. To hear these responses, as well as clips from the entire event, please watch the webcast.
An intimate and enjoyable reception followed the event, allowing attendees to meet the Ruseabagina family as well as the panel guests.
Watch the webcast--available at www.seero.com/broadcaster/hrrf
Youth Travels from Montreal to meet his real life Hero
|
It is not often that a 15-year old student is encouraged and supported in his quest to meet and even interview his own personal real life hero. Well such is the case of Abhinav Gupta from Montreal. After the invitations had been sent for the recent HRRF June 19th panel discussion, entitled Beyond Hotel Rwanda: Finding Real Peace in the African Great Lakes Region based in Chicago, Gupta contacted HRRF asking if he made the trek to the event, would he be allowed one-on-one time with his hero, Paul Rusesabagina. |
Ralph Martire: ‘Hotel Rwanda’ figure a true measure of bravery
It’s funny how context can really color meaning. Americans live in a nation that pretty much has every advantage, whether economically, geographically or militarily, in the world. Yet, both the media and voters frequently refer to politicians as “brave” for taking on tough issues, like health care, discrimination or school funding. Given America’s significant advantages, is it really brave for elected officials to tackle lingering social inequities? Why do Americans expect so little?
Perhaps it’s time to gain a little perspective on bravery. If you want a real profile in courage, you could do far worse than Paul Rusesabagina, a gentleman I had the pleasure of dining with last week. Paul doesn’t have a name most folks will readily recognize, but they should. He is the subject of the celebrated film, “Hotel Rwanda.”
From the church to ‘Hotel Rwanda’
We had TV in our rooms, so we could follow the news and see what was happening around the country. The hotel manager, Paul Rusesabagina – recently depicted in the film Hotel Rwanda – worked tirelessly to keep us alive. There were some unsung heroes, like Victor, who owned a bakery in the city centre and risked his life bringing Tutsi to the hotel. Our only drinking water came from the swimming pool. We stored it in the bathtubs of some of the rooms, most of which were being shared by three or four people.
Along with other Tutsi hiding in the Mille Collines, my sister and I were evacuated in the middle of May to an area under RPF control. If it hadn’t been for Paul Rusesabagina and Romeo Dallaire, the head of the UN peacekeeping mission, we would never have survived.
Man who inspired the film 'Hotel Rwanda' visits Burlington
 |
Paul Rusesabagina celebrated his birthday and Father's Day at barbecue BURLINGTON - It was a typical Father's Day scene at Bohners Lake on Sunday - brats and burgers sizzled on the grill while family and friends chatted at a barbecue and kids ran around the backyard. But for the guest of honor, it was more than just a celebration. It was, as he said, "a blessing." |
Beyond Hotel Rwanda : June 19, 2008
You are cordially invited to a seminar featuring Hotel Rwanda's Paul Rusesabagina and esteemed presenters -- Beyond Hotel Rwanda: Finding Real Peace in Africa's Great Lakes Region. The event is hosted by the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation.
Click here to download the PDF.
The panel discussion will focus on issues of peace and justice in the region, including the possible formation of Truth & Reconciliation Commissions. Panelists will include Paul Rusesabagina, Amb. Robert Krueger (former US Ambassador to Burundi), Amb. Robert Flaten (former US Ambassador to Rwanda) and David Zarembka, the founder of the African Great Lakes Initiative, who works on the ground in the region.
Details are as follows.
Seminar:
Date/Time: Thursday, June 19th, Panel Discussion: 4:00 - 6:00 pm; private reception to follow
Location: Arthur C. Rubloff Auditorium, Loyola University Chicago, 25 E. Pearson, Chicago, IL
Private reception:
Date/Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: McCormick & Schmick's, 41 E. Chestnut
Price: $150
The panel discussion is free. A $150 donation is required for the private reception, which is also a fund raiser for the foundation.
To RSVP to either event please email: cdyer@hrrfoundation.org. Please indicate whether you are attending the seminar, the private fundraising reception, or both.
Conference on Peace and Development in the Great Lakes Region of Africa
On Saturday, April 26th, a conference entitled, Peace and Reconciliation in the Great Lakes Region of Africa, was held at the Peace Palace in The Hague. The event was sponsored by Oxfam Novib and organized by Duurzaam voor Afrika and Dusabane in collaboration with Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation. Also see a more comprehensive report entitled Understanding Peace in Rwanda.
Below is an excerpt of a news report by Olivier Nyirubugara of AfricaNews.
Please follow the link to see the full story.
Hotel Rwanda Hero Wants All-inclusive Talks
Posted on Monday, 28 April 2008 - 15:43
Olivier Nyirubugara, AfricaNews, The Hague
At least 400 Rwandans gathered on Saturday 26 April, in the Hague-based
UN Court of Justice to talk of peace in their region. Despite a fierce
opposition from the government of Rwanda and Tutsi Diaspora bodies, the
conference took place without any incident. Paul Rusesabagina, the man
who inspired the Academy Award winning Hollywood film, Hotel Rwanda,
addressed the public and informed them of the solutions his Foundation, Hotel Rwanda Rusesabgina Foundation is suggesting to heal Rwanda.
An excerpt from Mr. Rusesabagina’s comments are below.
“Giving Voice to those Silenced by Genocide, Empowering Survivors to Transcend Its Effects and Moving to a Lasting Peace”
By Paul Rusesabagina, Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation
When I began the The Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation, my goal was to improve the lives of victims of genocide in Rwanda, particularly the survivors left orphaned and widowed.
Because of my firm belief in the power of education to lift generations out of the grasp of poverty, our philanthropic initiatives were focused in the areas of education, vocational training and mental health services for those left behind as the living victims of genocide.
Over the last few years, I began to realize that helping to provide relief for the direct victims in Rwanda and the Great Lakes region was not enough to prevent violence and more killing throughout the region. We were putting on band-aids on the wound, but the wound was not healing.
So, in addition to our relief work, the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation embarked on a journey of education. We began a discussion with the international community about the need for truth and reconciliation across the African Great Lakes region, particularly in Rwanda and our neighbor Burundi.
Through public education and a series of town hall meetings throughout the world, the HRRF is working to promote an understanding of the conditions which can lead to instances of hatred, violence and future genocides and the need for an internationally sanctioned Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
We believe that through truth and reconciliation that those silenced voices can finally be heard and only then can a nation be truly healed from the long-term effects of genocide. In post conflict areas all across the globe Truth and Reconciliation Commissions have been shown to help the people and the nations affected by violence and genocide to heal.
As we have traveled on this journey to lasting peace and a stable future for the victims of genocide, we have been attacked by naysayers trying to stop our efforts. I can only ask, why are these people against truth and reconciliation for a nation and region? At our previous events and even today they have tried to silence our discussions and prevent our promotion of peace and healing. Why? They have threatened today to protest our program on peace for Great Lakes region. Why? Who is threatened by peace and healing? What truth are they afraid of?
For all Media Questions, please contact:
Kitty Kurth
President, Kurth Lampe
444 N. Wabash, #410
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 464-0260 Fax: (312) 464-0262 Cell: (312) 617-7288
email: kitty@kurthlampe.com
website: www.kurthlampe.com
alternate email: kittykurth@mac.com
Webcast
Join the Live Webcast Sunday, April 6 at 2:00 p.m. US Central.
The Commemoration of the 14th anniversary of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Broadcast from the University Club, University of Louisville in Louisville, Ky.
The Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation and the Rwandan community of the U.S. and their friends are meeting to commemorate the horrific genocide and to talk about the possibility for Truth and Reconciliation for Rwanda in the future.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PART 1 OF THE WEBCAST
CLICK HERE TO SEE PART 2 OF THE WEBCAST
Rusesabagina Launches TRC Initiative for Rwanda
On September 8, 2007, a Forum followed by a Town Hall meeting on the need for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Rwanda and Burundi were hosted by Civil Rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson at Rainbow PUSH Coalition Headquarters in Chicago. Both events were organized by Kurth Lampe Consulting and co-sponsored by the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation (HRRF) and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Participating in the discussion were Paul Rusesabagina, real-life hero of the Academy Award-nominated film Hotel Rwanda, and Robert Krueger, former Ambassador to Burundi. Joining them was James Kimonyo, Rwandan Ambassador to the US, who had asked to be included.
[read more] 
Presidential Medal of Freedom
President George W. Bush exchanges a glance with Paul Rusesabagina during the presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005. Paul Rusesabagina demonstrated remarkable courage and compassion in the face of genocidal terror. During the Rwandan genocide in 1994, he risked his own life to shelter more than 1,000 fellow Rwandans targeted for murder. White House photo by Paul Morse
The Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation (HRRF) founder and President Paul Rusesabagina attended a reception on November 9th at the White House where President George W. Bush awarded him the nation’s highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. To read the full release, please click here.
