Philippines – June 3, 2025 – The De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute solemnly hosted the Kwibuka31 commemoration under the theme:
“Global Understanding: Kwibuka 31 – Remembering the Genocide Against the Tutsi – Embracing Diversity, Fostering Peace, and Unity.”

The event was co-organized by the Rwandan Community in the Philippines and brought together students, faculty members, representatives from the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office IV-A, and Rwandans residing in the country. It served as a moment of remembrance and collective reflection on one of the darkest chapters in human history.

H.E. Ambassador Marie Claire Mukasine delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of remembrance as both a moral responsibility and a catalyst for peace.

“Remembrance is not passive,” she said. “It is a call to action for peace.”

In her speech, Ambassador Mukasine reflected on the deep-rooted causes of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, which claimed over one million lives in just 100 days. She traced its origins to colonial ideologies and decades of hate-fueled politics, underscoring the vital need to confront historical truths and promote unity through national healing. The Ambassador emphasized that “Kwibuka,” meaning “to remember” in Kinyarwanda, is more than a commemoration—it is a solemn commitment to truth, justice, and national unity.

The Kwibuka31 commemoration in the Philippines served as a powerful reminder of the past, a tribute to the resilience of survivors, and a renewed pledge to uphold the values of compassion, justice, and shared humanity.