In April, a unique moderation assignment led me to Rwanda for a week, focusing on the topic of labor market services for young people. Participants from Rwanda and various African countries, including Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania, and Uganda, were in attendance. The experience left everyone, myself included, impressed, moved, and surprised by this small country nestled in the mountains of East Africa.

What I discovered during my visit was the remarkable stability of Rwanda, making it one of the most stable nations in Africa. Additionally, Kigali, the capital, has recently earned the title of the cleanest city in Africa.

Unexpectedly, Rwanda revealed fascinating insights into dialogue and participation. The state’s commitment to transparency and participation, particularly in addressing the genocide, was notable. The revival of traditional village courts, known as “gacaca justice,” featuring many lay judges, became a pivotal aspect of this commitment. Astonishingly, around 12,000 local courts have heard approximately a million cases. This approach has led to a unique outcome: both perpetrators and victims often know each other, and in some instances, they reside in the same communities again. The official vocabulary has been purged of ethnic names, and yet the government actively keeps the memory of the genocide alive. In the heart of Kigali, a powerful memorial has been established, leaving an indelible impact on anyone who visits.