CONMAT In-Situ Training at the Protestant University of Rwanda 14- 17 February 2026

Field-Based Experiential Learning under the leadership of Protestant University of Rwanda (PUR)

As part of the capacity-building component of the CONMAT programme, a field-based experiential learning activity was organised on 15 February 2026 for staff and students from partner universities outside Rwanda. The visit was designed to provide participants with contextual understanding of Rwanda’s historical development and contemporary community-based initiatives relevant to peacebuilding and social cohesion.

A Journey into Rwanda’s Royal Heritage

At the King’s Palace Museum, participants stepped into Rwanda’s royal history in its former capital. Exploring the reconstructed palace of Yuhi V Musinga, they discovered the traditions, governance systems, and symbols that shaped pre-colonial society.

A highlight was հանդիպing the iconic Inyambo “royal cows,” embodying prestige and cultural identity. The visit concluded at the colonial-era palace of Mutara III Rudahigwa, offering a striking contrast and insight into Rwanda’s evolving governance.

Together, the experience connected past and present, enriching reflections on leadership, identity, and social change.

Rebuilding Trust: Stories of Resilience and Reconciliation

At the Umucyo Nyanza Women’s Association, participants witnessed reconciliation at its most human level. Bringing together genocide survivors and the wives of perpetrators, the association creates space for honest dialogue, shared experiences, and the gradual rebuilding of trust.

Through activities like tailoring and collective income generation, members turn economic cooperation into a pathway for healing and connection. The visit highlighted the powerful role of women in peacebuilding and showed how local, community-driven efforts can restore dignity, strengthen social bonds, and sustain long-term cohesion.

The Rwanda phase concluded leaving participants with a lasting impression of reconciliation in action.