26.05.2026
On May 17, an open lecture and discussion titled “Compass of Peace: Hope for Rwanda” was held in Hall 401 of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, featuring Prof. Denis Bikesha – Africa Coordinator at Lead 4 Tomorrow and lecturer in constitutional law at the University of Rwanda. The event was part of the first edition of the sustainable film festival “Krugovrat” and brought together more than 20 participants, including students, faculty members, and guests. Among them were students from the master’s program “Responsible and Sustainable Governance” and special guest Dr. Ivo Trayanov, Director of International Cooperation at the Rwanda-Bulgaria Chamber of Commerce.
The discussion provided an in-depth look at the history of Rwanda, the reconciliation processes following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, and the role of justice and sustainable development in rebuilding society.
At the beginning of the discussion, Prof. Bikesha presented the historical background of Rwanda before and after the genocide, emphasizing the social and political factors that led to the tragic events of 1994. He spoke about the consequences of the violence and the efforts of Rwandan society to rebuild its institutions and communities after one of the most devastating conflicts in modern history.
Special attention was given to the “Gacaca Courts” system, a unique model of restorative justice. These community-based courts were established to accelerate the processing of the enormous number of cases following the genocide and to create opportunities for public dialogue, confession, and reconciliation among communities. According to the data presented, nearly 2 million cases were handled through the Gacaca system, making it one of the largest examples of community justice in the world. According to Prof. Bikesha, this model enabled society not only to pursue criminal accountability but also to rebuild social ties through acknowledgment, forgiveness, and dialogue. It was emphasized that although the system was not without flaws, it contributed significantly to reconciliation and overcoming the culture of impunity.
The lecture also addressed the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, as well as the importance of memorials, commemorative practices, and preserving historical memory. Prof. Bikesha stressed that telling the truth about the past is a crucial part of overcoming trauma and building sustainable peace.
During the lecture, specific data on Rwanda’s development over recent decades were also presented. Prof. Bikesha highlighted that today Rwanda is often regarded as an example of stability and economic recovery in Africa. Among the indicators discussed were:
- average life expectancy of nearly 70 years;
- over 79% literacy among the adult population;
- significant growth in access to electricity – from under 18% in 2012 to around 61% today;
- 82% access to improved water sources;
- active participation of women in governance and politics, with a minimum of 30% of parliamentary and senate seats guaranteed for women.
The discussion also focused on the country’s economic development through agriculture, coffee and tea production, as well as investments in education and technology. Prof. Bikesha provided examples of how local communities actively participate in building infrastructure and implementing social programs as part of the recovery process.
The audience also showed strong interest in topics related to memory and the preservation of historical truth. The speaker talked about Rwanda’s memorial sites, commemorative practices, and efforts to prevent the spread of hate ideologies. According to him, sustainable peace is possible only when society is willing to speak openly about the past and build trust among different communities.
The event concluded with an active discussion and questions from students and guests focused on the role of young people, civic participation, and international cooperation in peacebuilding and sustainable development processes. The shared insights left a strong impression on attendees and demonstrated the importance of international exchange, academic dialogue, and personal testimony in understanding the global challenges related to peace and sustainable development.
The initiative is carried out with the institutional support of the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy.
The festival is supported by: UBB; ASS; Siemens; Paysafe; Promeni Kartinkata.
Media partners: ESGnews.bg; Manager; Enterprise; Kapital; Dnevnik; KNext; dir.bg; B2B Media; Obekti.