Rwanda Cooperation & Aegis Trust Partner to Advance Peacebuilding

In a landmark step toward promoting global peace and reconciliation, the Rwanda Cooperation Initiative (RCI) and Aegis Trust officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on February 27, 2025. This partnership underscores Rwanda’s commitment to sharing its post-genocide recovery journey and advancing peace education worldwide.

The collaboration brings together RCI’s expertise in knowledge sharing and Aegis Trust’s experience in peacebuilding to inspire and equip global communities with practical solutions for reconciliation and resilience.

Strengthening Global Peace Education

At the signing ceremony, RCI CEO Patricie Uwase reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to fostering meaningful partnerships that amplify Rwanda’s home-grown initiatives. She emphasized that Rwanda’s transformational journey holds valuable lessons that can benefit societies navigating post-conflict recovery.

Dr. James Smith, Co-founder of Aegis Trust, echoed this sentiment, praising Rwanda’s remarkable progress since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He commended the country’s innovative approach to peacebuilding and stressed the importance of sharing these strategies globally.

Home-Grown Solutions as a Model for Resilience

Prior to the MoU signing, Ms. Aude Ntawebasa, Senior Office Manager at RCI, presented an in-depth overview of Rwanda’s home-grown initiatives, which have played a critical role in rebuilding the nation. Key highlights included:

• Umushyikirano – A national forum that fosters open dialogue between leaders and citizens, ensuring inclusive policymaking.
• Gacaca Courts – A community-based justice system that facilitated truth, reconciliation, and accountability after the genocide.

These initiatives and many others have become global reference points for sustainable peace and governance.

A Strategic Partnership for Impact

The MoU, signed by Ms. Uwase and Dr. Smith, paves the way for concrete actions in:

✅ Peace and Peacebuilding Education: Expanding programs that equip young people with skills to promote unity and resilience.

✅ Training on Rwanda’s Peacebuilding Journey: Sharing Rwanda’s successful post-conflict recovery model with global actors.

✅ Technical Assessment Missions & Advisory Services: Providing expertise on peace and governance practices to support other nations.

Looking Ahead

This partnership is more than an agreement—it is a commitment to strengthening peace efforts both within Rwanda and beyond. By combining Rwanda’s experience with Aegis Trust’s expertise, this collaboration aims to inspire real change in communities affected by conflict.

The signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Freddy Mutanguha, CEO of Aegis, alongside delegates from Aegis Trust and RCI staff.

As RCI continues to forge impactful partnerships, this milestone reinforces Rwanda’s role as a leader in global peacebuilding. Stay tuned for updates on the joint initiatives that will emerge from this collaboration!