The Rwanda of 2009 is very different than the Rwanda of 1994 because the country is now reconstructing and reconciling after a genocide killed one million citizens.

His Excellency Eugene-Richard Gasana, the ambassador of Rwanda to the United Nations, visited USU and spoke to students and faculty as a part of International Education Week, Thursday.

“This is a special time of celebration,” Gasana said. “We are building academic partnership and strengthening friendship.”

The genocide of 1994 was a dark time in the small country of Rwanda, located in eastern Africa. Gasana called the three months the “100 days of terror.”

The country lost 10,000 people per day, which meant more than one million people killed in just three months.

However, things are different now. The country has an invigorated spirit of determination, Gasana said. The citizens are working together to rebuild and grow.

“It is not the solution to revenge yourself,” Gasana said. “It is easier and better to sit and talk with your wife, with your children, with whoever and see how you can rebuild. It is a choice. Our daily cup of tea is bitter, but we have to go through with it. That is our best option.”

Gasana said the way for Rwanda to reach its goals of peace and democracy is through its plan, “Vision 2020.” Gasana talked about the four steps the country is taking.

The first step is to have good government. Gasana said the country has no tolerance for a corrupt or controlling government. The national parliament of Rwanda is led by a 56.2 percent majority of women. Rwanda is the only country in history to do this.

Gasana said, “Our women are our mothers. Isn’t that beautiful? Shouldn’t we recognize that? They are stronger than us men.”

The women of Rwanda have been through so much, Gasana said. They have been raped by the same groups of men that killed their husbands.

“They have to get the courage to accept it and to fight it. They need to work hard,” Gasana said. “It is something very unique.”

Gasana had nothing but the highest praise for the women of Rwanda, especially those leading parliament.

“They are the men. They are the strongest. They are the most intelligent. They are a great investment,” Gasana said.

Gasana said he feels that a good government is the most important part of the plan and of a strong country.

“When you have a strong leadership with a vision, there is no way you cannot succeed,” Gasana said.

The second step is to attain justice, Gasana said. The country is working to apprehend the perpetrators of the genocide crimes and bring them to justice.

Gasana’s third step is in social progress. Rwanda is working together to rebuild trust and confidence, Gasana said. The nation is charged with the challenge of reversing effects.

The final step, Gasana said, is to work on economic development.

A student asked the ambassador what Rwanda’s most important resource is, and Gasana responded by saying, “We invest in people, in human capital. The more stuff you have, the more problems you have.”

A big focus of Rwanda right now is education. The country is offering free primary education to every child – enrollment is up 150 percent. The country’s goal is to have every Rwandan child enrolled in school by 2012, a total of 2.2 million children. The country is working to modernize the education system and have up-to-date technology.

Gasana said, “They can cut your hands, they can cut your feet, but you will have your education forever. That is a true investment.”

Gasana called Rwanda “a country and a movement.”

“There is nothing worse than genocide,” Gasana said. “Now we come together to rebuild our country.”

Gasana and Rwanda are going to continue to build a relationship with USU. The administration of the university presented Rwandan President Paul Kagame with the first ever Presidential Recognition Award. They are working to build agreements with universities in Rwanda.

“I invite you to visit the Land of 1,000 Hills,” Gasana said. “Come to Rwanda. Come get a taste of the country, the people and the culture. You get the plane ticket, and we will take care of the rest.”

– megan.allen@aggiemail.usu.edu