International Day for Countering Hate Speech | Kigali Genocide Memorial On this International Day for Countering Hate Speech, Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle joined partners at the Kigali Genocide Memorial for a landmark event: the validation of the Draft National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Hate Speech in Rwanda.
The event was convened in partnership with the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC/CNUR), UNDP Rwanda, and UNESCO Rwanda, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders committed to building a safer, more cohesive Rwanda.
Why This Matters
Hate speech remains one of the most corrosive forces undermining peace, unity, and social cohesion — not only in Rwanda, but around the world. Left unaddressed, it can erode trust between communities, fuel division, and, as Rwanda's own history has shown, create the conditions for far greater harm.
Marking the International Day for Countering Hate Speech at the Kigali Genocide Memorial was a powerful and deliberate choice of venue — a place that stands as a permanent reminder of where unchecked hate speech can lead, and why coordinated, sustained action to prevent it is so essential.
A Coordinated, Inclusive Approach
The validation event brought together a broad coalition of voices, including:
- Government institutions, providing policy leadership and coordination
- Development partners, offering technical and financial support
- Civil society organizations, grounding the plan in community realities
- Youth representatives, ensuring the voices of young people — often both targets and agents of change in this space — are heard
- Other key stakeholders from across Rwandan society
Together, participants reviewed and validated the Draft National Action Plan, contributing insights and recommendations to strengthen its approach to:
- Preventing hate speech before it spreads and causes harm
- Promoting responsible communication, both online and offline
- Strengthening social cohesion, so that Rwanda's diverse communities continue to build trust and unity together
VJN's Commitment
As an organization working closely with young people across Rwanda, Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle recognizes the critical role youth play in shaping the information environment they live in — as both consumers and creators of the messages that circulate in their communities.
Being part of this validation process reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting initiatives that protect young people from harm, equip them with the tools for responsible communication, and empower them as agents of peace and unity rather than division.
Looking Ahead
The validation of this Draft National Action Plan marks an important step toward a coordinated national response to hate speech — one that unites government, partners, civil society, and youth around a shared goal: a Rwanda where dialogue replaces division, and where every community can thrive free from hate.
Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle remains committed to walking this journey alongside our partners, and to continuing the work of building a more united, resilient, and inclusive Rwanda.
#NoToHate
Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle joined the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, UNDP Rwanda, and UNESCO Rwanda in convening stakeholders at the Kigali Genocide Memorial for the validation of the Draft National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Hate Speech in Rwanda.
