A Young Peace Ambassador speaks on ‘achieving a peaceful society’

The European Commission in collaboration with One Young World recently organized a caucus in Kigali, bringing together the most impactful peacebuilders under the age of 30. The event aimed to reflect on the post-genocide experience and harness the expertise of the nation to envision a peaceful future. One of the prominent young leaders involved in this initiative is One Young World Peace Ambassador, Hyppolite Ntigurirwa. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Ntigurirwa provided insights into the event and his efforts towards promoting peace in societies. Ntigurirwa shared that the focus of the caucus was on learning about countering violent extremism and fostering connected futures. By bringing together youth from diverse countries working in the field of counter-violent extremism, the event aimed to facilitate knowledge-sharing and draw lessons from Rwanda's experience. Given that 2019 marked the 25th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Ntigurirwa believed it was crucial to reflect on the nation's journey post the genocide and learn valuable insights. Reflecting on the impact desired from such events, Ntigurirwa emphasized the importance of close collaboration and sharing of experiences among young peacebuilders. By uniting youth representatives from various nations in Africa, Europe, and the US, the objective is to foster a deeper understanding of peacebuilding strategies and draw parallels to Rwanda's history of resilience. Ntigurirwa expressed his hopes that the event would prompt participants to rethink their approach to addressing extremism and respond more effectively to similar challenges. As an ambassador for One Young World, Ntigurirwa highlighted the organization's commitment to amplifying impactful stories from young change-makers. He anticipated that the collaboration between Rwandan youth and their counterparts from foreign nations would lead to the emergence of more transformative narratives. Ntigurirwa underscored the significance of providing a platform for young individuals who are making a difference within their communities, not only in Rwanda and Africa but across the globe. In essence, the caucus served as a catalyst for fostering intercontinental dialogue on peacebuilding and countering violent extremism. It provided a valuable opportunity for young leaders to exchange ideas, gain insights from Rwanda's historical context, and collectively work towards a more peaceful world. Ntigurirwa's active involvement in initiatives promoting peace underscores the importance of youth engagement in driving positive change and building resilient societies. With the continued support of organizations like One Young World, the voices and actions of young peace ambassadors like Ntigurirwa are poised to shape a more peaceful and interconnected future.