Routes into and out of violence: Rwandan youth, ethnicity and reconciliation

Lead Research Organisation: University of Sussex
Department Name: Sch of Global Studies

Abstract

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Description Influence on DFID Rwanda approach to reconciliation
Geographic Reach Africa 
Policy Influence Type Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health
Impact In January 2011, I did a number of presentations in Kigali of the results of my research on ethnicity, violence and reconciliation in Rwanda. This included presentations to government ministries, to the National Commission on Genocide, to the US Embassy and USAID and to the UK Embassy and DFID Rwanda. Following this, DFID Rwanda commissioned me to do a review of their programme portfolio and advise on a strategy to maximise the impact of DFID's programmes on reconciliation and ensure that programmes did not inadvertently aggravate tensions. Following this 'reconciliation audit', from this point onwards DFID Rwanda undertook analysis of how its new programmes could potentially impact on the fragile social dynamics in Rwanda with a view to avoiding aggravating inter-group tensions and instead maximising opportunities for reconciliation.
 
Description Impact of External Conflict on UK Communities
Amount £50,000 (GBP)
Organisation Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2010 
End 09/2010
 
Description Impact evaluation of indashyikirwa programme to prevent gender-based violence in Rwanda 
Organisation London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Department Faculty of Public Health and Policy
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution I am co-Principal Investigator for a research study to evaluate the impact of a community-based gender-based violence prevention programme called "indashyikirwa" in Rwanda. The programme and the research study are funded by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID). I have designed and am overseeing the qualitative research for this mixed methods study.
Collaborator Contribution MRC-SA is the Consortium Lead and has been accorded the overall grant from DFID for the 'What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women' programme under which the Rwanda study is funded. Dr Kristin Dunkle of MRC-SA is a co-PI overseeing the quantitative impact evaluation (a randomised control trial). LSHTM is another partner in the consortium and DR Lori Heise is a co-PI providing expertise on research on violence against women and girls.
Impact A first round of baseline quantitative and qualitative data has been collected and is currently being analysed. This will result in a baseline report for the funder (DFID) and programme partner (CARE International) by July 2016. In addition, I will co-author a publication on the qualitative research by the end of 2016. This impact study is very significant as it will generate evidence on the impacts of this GBV prevention programme, as part of the influential DFID-funded Research and Innovation Fund 'What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls'
Start Year 2014
 
Description Impact evaluation of indashyikirwa programme to prevent gender-based violence in Rwanda 
Organisation Medical Research Council of South Africa (MRC)
Country South Africa 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution I am co-Principal Investigator for a research study to evaluate the impact of a community-based gender-based violence prevention programme called "indashyikirwa" in Rwanda. The programme and the research study are funded by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID). I have designed and am overseeing the qualitative research for this mixed methods study.
Collaborator Contribution MRC-SA is the Consortium Lead and has been accorded the overall grant from DFID for the 'What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women' programme under which the Rwanda study is funded. Dr Kristin Dunkle of MRC-SA is a co-PI overseeing the quantitative impact evaluation (a randomised control trial). LSHTM is another partner in the consortium and DR Lori Heise is a co-PI providing expertise on research on violence against women and girls.
Impact A first round of baseline quantitative and qualitative data has been collected and is currently being analysed. This will result in a baseline report for the funder (DFID) and programme partner (CARE International) by July 2016. In addition, I will co-author a publication on the qualitative research by the end of 2016. This impact study is very significant as it will generate evidence on the impacts of this GBV prevention programme, as part of the influential DFID-funded Research and Innovation Fund 'What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls'
Start Year 2014
 
Description Justice and Violence Seminar Series, University of Sussex 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact I gave a presentation on "Rwanda's Hutsi" at the University of Sussex Justice and Violence Seminar series on 3rd March 2010. This was part of an academic seminar series, but one to which academics and interested practitioners are invited. My seminar was attended by 25 people.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2010
 
Description Participation in UNICEF Research Watch TV debate Youth, conflict and peace building 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact In 2014, I was approached by UNICEF as one of three academics to take part in a UNICEF TV debate facilitated by Martin Bell on "Youth, conflict and peace building". My contributions built on my research on youth, violence and reconciliation in Rwanda undertaken with this grant. The debate can be viewed here: http://www.unicef-irc.org/research-watch/Youth--Conflict-and-Peace-Building/debate.html

In addition, I wrote a commentary available here: http://www.unicef-irc.org/research-watch/Youth--Conflict-and-Peace-Building/1061/
Following this, in 2015, UNFPA asked me to write a paper on youth, peace and security which was a key input into the Security Council Resolution passed in late 2015.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://www.unicef-irc.org/research-watch/Youth--Conflict-and-Peace-Building/debate.html
 
Description Speaker at UK Foreign Office Rwanda Round-Table: Political Space and Democratisation in Context 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact This Roundtable event was convened by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on 29th September 2009: "Rwanda Round-Table: Political Space and "Democratisation" in Context". I was asked to lead the session on "identity and Reconciliation' with a short presentation based on my own research in Rwanda and involvement over the past 12 years. I then contributed to the discussion on this issue as well as wider questions about Rwanda's political trajectory and options for the UK's strategy of engagement. This Roundtable was one of the events that led to a gradual shift in UK foreign policy to Rwanda, with the UK taking the authoritarian tendencies and human rights abuses of the incumbent regime more seriously and adopting a more critical engagement with the Government of Rwanda.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2009