The United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda today launched a Cartoon Book for the youth in the East African region which is aimed at informing and teaching them on what is genocide, its causes and dynamics and the role of the international community through the United Nations. The launching was part of the UN Day celebrations by the ICTR at its head office in Arusha.

The event was witnessed by more than 800 students of primary and secondary schools in Arusha as well as members of the public, the diplomatic community and officials from the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania. The book has also been launched and distributed for free in Nairobi, Kenya; Kampala, Uganda; Bujumbura, Burundi; Kigali, Rwanda; and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The book is part of the Tribunal’s youth sensitization project whose aim is to contribute to the process of national reconciliation in Rwanda and to the maintenance of peace in the region. The book, therefore, strives to reach out to the youth in the region and raise their awareness through educational programmes on genocide prevention.

The book is a product of the international community’s resolve to ensure that by informing and teaching the youth on what genocide is, through the Rwandan tragic experience, the concept of “Never Again” becomes a reality.

The book was published with the support of the Federal Republic of Germany through its Embassy in Dar es Salaam. It is presented in a simple and easy to follow style and aims at helping the youth to participate actively in preventing genocide. It is also meant to equip them with the drive to positively participate in activities that affect them and ensure that they access information they need to act responsibly in the society.

Twenty Five Thousand copies have initially been printed and these are being distributed in several primary and secondary schools in Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Kampala, Bujumbura, and Kigali.

A Web-link to the book has also been established and can be accessed at “http://www.unictr.org/News/ICTRCartoonBook/tabid/2225/Default.aspx.” One can also find it under the ‘News’ drop down menu on the ICTR website ‘www.ictr.org’.