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Programs
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Rwanda Videoconference Schedule
Videoconference One
In this first conference, students had the opportunity to listen in as 2 US Ambassador Schools (primary participants) and a Rwandan school shared their respective communities and cultures. Students from each community presented objects of cultural significance or performed a song/dance while accompanied by music. A question and answer period followed.
This was the first of two videoconferences exploring the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Rwandan students provided a brief background on -- and shared their own experiences of -- the 1994 genocide, and gave participants a sense of how the country is now healing.
This second conference was broadcast directly from a site bearing traces of the genocide, giving youth a unique perspective into a tragedy that Rwandans are still trying hard to cope with. A historian guided participants through the site.
This fourth videoconference was devoted to the presentation and discussion of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. An expert from the government or a local Rwandan NGO made a presentation from a remote project site. Each location was encouraged to present how their respective communities have been affected by HIV/AIDS, and ways in which their governments are responding to the disease. Once the initial presentations were finished, a question and answer period followed for the duration of the conference. Videoconference Five
This videoconference was devoted to learning about the Ba'Twa, the "forgotten" indigenous people of Rwanda. The Ba'Twa lived for thousands of years in Rwanda's rainforest, and still today depend on its resources for their survival. A remote broadcast was conducted from a Ba'Twa community near the Parc National des Volcans. Once initial presentations were finished, a question and answer period followed for the duration of the conference.
This sixth videoconference started with a presentation by a Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI) scientist highlighting the important work being conducted at the Karisoke Research Center. Local students introduced the Karisoke camp staff. A member of the camp staff talked about life in the camp and a scientist answered questions. There was a brief introduction of the Karisoke gorilla trackers and the Karisoke anti-poaching trackers. After a brief question and answer period, the conference concluded with an emphasis on the importance of preserving the natural habitat of the mountain gorilla.
A Karisoke gorilla tracker made a five-minute presentation a short distance from the actual site of the gorillas. We then switched to a different camera in order to reveal the mountain gorillas in their natural environment. A DFGFI scientist described the different gorillas and their individual characteristics.
This eighth and last videoconference acted as a summary of all previous broadcasts. What did students learn? Discussions revolved around finding ways to collaborate on a project based on the issues discussed over the course of the program.
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