On April 13, 2025, the Georgetown University student community, in partnership with Our Past Initiative, hosted an insightful panel discussion titled Confronting Genocide Ideology: Bridging Scholarship and Grassroots Action. The event gathered students, faculty, and distinguished guests, including Ambassador Igor Marara.

Panelists Sandra Shenge, Director of Programs at AEGIS Trust, and Christian Intwari, Co-founder and Executive Director of Our Past Initiative, led the conversation with powerful reflections. Both speakers emphasized the urgent need to resist genocide denial and misinformation with verified facts and grassroots advocacy.

Sandra underscored the importance of intentionality in confronting ideology, urging participants to verify facts, engage with credible voices, and seek diverse sources. Christian directed his call to the youth: “Use the factual information that’s been collected about the 100 days of the genocide, then go out there and be the ambassadors who will end this last stage, denial.”

In his remarks, Ambassador Igor Marara highlighted the importance of empathy and truth in a world grappling with rising dehumanization. “It is important to see the value of human lives in the media, be they children, mothers, or fathers, to stop the banalizing of the evil that is consuming their lives,” he said. He closed by encouraging attendees to “remain deeply human.”

The event was a powerful reminder that remembrance must be coupled with action. As we remember the victims and honor the survivors of the Genocide Against the Tutsi, we reaffirm our shared responsibility to stand against denial, uphold truth, and protect the dignity of all human life.