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| Joseph
Sebarenzi, former head of the Rwanda Parliament, he has
endured tragedy most of us cannot fathom. He lost both his parents,
seven siblings, and numerous other relatives in the Rwandan genocide
of 1994. Yet, years later, as a senior government official in a
position to exact revenge, he instead pushed for peace and reconciliation.
"Revenge is like adding guilt to victim hood." says Sebarenzi.
"It solves nothing. At some point, we have to ignore the past
and envision the future."
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Sebarenzi
grew up in Rwanda, and as a child saw glimpses of the tribal violence
which years later would engulf his country. In 1994, when Hutu extremists
slaughtered more than 800,000 Tutsis, Sebarenzi and his immediate family
were safely out of the country, but many of Sebarenzi's extended family
were not so lucky.
Returning
to Rwanda, Sebarenzi rose through the ranks of Parliament, eventually
becoming Speaker, third in power only to the country's president. As the
leader of parliament, Sebarenzi worked to improve good governance, speaking
out for the independence of the legislature and against corruption in
the government. Forced to resign, and Informed of a plot to assassinate
him, he fled Rwanda and found exile in the United States. He still champions
a broad process of restorative justice in Rwanda as the country struggles
with the ongoing effects of mass genocide and retaliatory killing among
its Hutu and Tutsi people. |
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| Sebarenzi
teaches conflict resolution at the School for International Training,
lectures on his experiences, consults, and works toward his PhD.
Sebarenzi has also been an executive for national and international
nonprofit organizations and a regular speaker on BBC and Voice
of America. He plans to return to Rwanda eventually, and hopes
his home country will soon be a safe place for people of all races,
creeds and heritages.
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For his college lectures, Sebarenzi tells his dramatic and historic
story, and imparts a message of peace and forgiveness. This unforgettable
and emotional program is perfect for International Studies departments,
Genocide Programs, African Studies, Multi-Cultural Programs, Peace
Groups, Progressive Groups, Christian organizations and keynote
lectures. Whatever your group, Joseph Sebarenzi is a man of peace
and grace whose message will not soon be forgotten. |
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