WASHINGTON, D.C. — Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy hosted the 32nd Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, bringing together members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, academics, students, and community members in a solemn act of remembrance and reflection.
The event served as a powerful moment to honor the memory of the more than one million lives lost during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, while also renewing a shared commitment to fighting genocide ideology, hate, and division in all its forms.
Held in the heart of the nation’s capital, the commemoration underscored the importance of preserving historical truth and ensuring that the lessons of 1994 continue to inform global efforts toward peacebuilding, justice, and human dignity.
Speakers and participants reflected on the devastating consequences of hatred, dehumanization, and international indifference, emphasizing that remembrance is not only about looking back, but also about taking responsibility in the present to prevent such atrocities from happening again.
The gathering at Georgetown University highlighted the growing role that academic institutions play in fostering historical awareness, civic responsibility, and informed dialogue around mass atrocity prevention. By hosting this year’s commemoration, Georgetown’s McCourt School of Public Policy created a space for education, reflection, and solidarity across generations and communities.
Attendees from diverse backgrounds stood united in remembrance of the victims and in support of survivors, many of whom continue to carry the pain and trauma of the genocide more than three decades later. The event also served as a reminder that genocide denial, distortion, and minimization remain serious threats that must be confronted with truth and moral clarity.
As Rwanda and friends of Rwanda around the world continue the annual Kwibuka remembrance period, today’s commemoration in Washington, D.C. reaffirmed that the memory of the victims lives on—not only in Rwanda, but also in institutions, communities, and hearts across the globe.
The 32nd commemoration at Georgetown University stood as a meaningful tribute to those who were lost, a show of solidarity with survivors, and a call to the international community to remain vigilant in the defense of human life, dignity, and truth.
