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Aegis Trust and partners to launch new and expanded Genocide Archive of Rwanda website
5 June 2015
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Press Release – For Immediate Release 


Aegis Trust and partners to launch new and expanded Genocide Archive of Rwanda website 

Kigali, 5 June 2015


Aegis Trust and its partners will launch a new, state-of-the-art Genocide Archive of Rwanda online platform that gives access to previously never before seen information about the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. The launch of the website will take place on 9 June 2015, a date that also marks International Archives Day.
The online archive features more than 8,000 testimonies, videos, audio, photographs, documents as well as interactive maps that provide detailed information about the location and history of memorial sites as well as peace building activities across the country. The digital platform is accessible from anywhere in the world and enables users to view thousands of individual pieces of archival material about the 1994 genocide as well as post-genocide reconstruction efforts in Rwanda.


The newly upgraded digital archive has been carefully organised to the highest international standards and provides improved access for students, educators, researchers, policy makers and the general public. Some of the new functionalities of the platform include an advanced search engine, a more user-friendly interface and more detailed indexing. 


The Genocide Archive of Rwanda’s online collection serves as a tool for learning, research, fighting genocide denial and promoting peace building and reconciliation in the community. The archive’s collection has developed through countless individual contributions from the families and friends of victims of the 1994 genocide as well as local NGOs and governmental institutions who collaborated in the identification and compilation of the collection.


This development of the new website is an important park of Aegis Trust’s work to preserve the memory of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, both physically and digitally, for current and future generations. The website’s address remains www.genocidearchiverwanda.org.rw 


Launch Details


17:30, 9 June 2015, Kigali Genocide Memorial 

For more information about the Genocide Archive of Rwanda, please contact Mimi Frank at 
communications@aegistrust.org.rw or on +250 783 001 947. 


Genocide Archive of Rwanda Digital Platform – Special Functionalities


Upgraded Advanced Search Engine


The new website offers a highly advanced search engine that uses an innovative indexing process. This allows users to find and extract particular content or browse through the collections and make connections with events, names of people and places, or dates and sources, locations, topics and themes. The combination of rich information and a state-of-the art search engine gives more accurate results making the archive even more useful for research and learning about the genocide. 


Interactive Maps


A new interactive maps section allows users to access information by location for the first time ever. Thanks to GPS coordinates and detailed content, it is now possible to learning about major memorials across Rwanda, understand where killings took place and find out about post-genocide reconstruction efforts based on their location. 

  • Memorials 

The map features virtual tours of numerous genocide memorials around Rwanda. The maps also details genocide landmarks such as the sites of killings, roadblocks and other important places connected to the execution of 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. The virtual tours offer users access to audio-visual testimonies from survivors and perpetrators, photographs and background information about the region as well as information regarding events that occurred at that location during the genocide.

  • Post-Genocide Reconstruction: Youth Peace Building & Unity and Reconciliation 

Maps dedicated to post-genocide reconstructions efforts inform users about activities being carried out by young people across Rwanda, including stories of youth peacebuilding, empowerment and leadership initiatives. The maps also document unity and reconciliation initiatives in Rwandan communities through photographs and video testimonies. 


Access & Updates


The new Genocide Archive of Rwanda website is user friendly, allowing visitors to share items through social media and to stay informed about the archive’s activities. By registering with the site, users are granted access to restricted content and can receive frequent updates about upcoming events and project updates through the archive’s newsletter.

 
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