{"id":31239,"date":"2025-07-21T09:54:41","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T14:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/?p=31239"},"modified":"2025-07-21T09:54:41","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T14:54:41","slug":"bridging-peace-across-continents-rwandas-peace-and-values-curriculum-comes-to-milwaukee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/2025\/07\/bridging-peace-across-continents-rwandas-peace-and-values-curriculum-comes-to-milwaukee\/","title":{"rendered":"Bridging Peace Across Continents: Rwanda\u2019s Peace and Values Curriculum Comes to Milwaukee"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is the sixth and final in an occasional series of blog posts occasioned by a visit I made to Rwanda in the summer of 2024. The\u00a0<\/em>first<\/em><\/a>,\u00a0<\/em>second<\/em><\/a>,\u00a0<\/em>third<\/em><\/a>, fourth<\/em><\/a> and fifth<\/em><\/a>\u00a0can be found at the included links.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Roots of Violence: From Rwanda to Milwaukee
\n<\/strong>In my second blog post, Putting a Face to the Harm\u2014Commemorating Lives<\/em>, I wrote about the Kigali Genocide Memorial and how violence rarely erupts suddenly. It builds slowly through layers of conflict, division, and systemic inequity. In Rwanda, colonial rule imposed rigid racial hierarchies, embedding discrimination deep within institutions. Over time, these injustices intensified, leading to devastating violence and, ultimately, genocide.<\/p>\n

While the scale and circumstances differ, aspects of this pattern are tragically familiar. In cities such as Milwaukee, cycles of community violence\u2014especially gun violence\u2014continue to disproportionately impact Black communities. Each act of harm, beyond its own wrongfulness, reinforces historical trauma and inequity, mistrust, and disconnection. In 2022, according to the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), Wisconsin ranked second in the nation for Black homicide victimization\u2014a sobering statistic that reflects both the depth of harm and the urgency of response.<\/p>\n

A Global Model for Healing and Prevention<\/strong>
\nIn a world where violence often feels inevitable, Rwanda also stands as a powerful reminder that\u2014even in the aftermath of atrocity\u2014healing, reconciliation, and transformation are possible. That hard-earned wisdom is now shaping a growing partnership between Rwandan peacebuilders and Milwaukee\u2019s violence prevention leaders and advocates.<\/p>\n

In June 2025, three prominent Rwandan peacebuilders from the Kigali Genocide Memorial, supported by Aegis Trust, an anti-genocide organization, visited Milwaukee to collaborate with MCW on adapting Rwanda\u2019s Peace and Values Curriculum (PAV curriculum) for use in Milwaukee communities. This effort is rooted in the understanding that peacebuilding is both preventive and responsive. It works upstream to address root causes and steps in to interrupt ongoing violence, fostering connection, healing, and hope.<\/p>\n

Developed in the wake of the 1994 genocide, Rwanda\u2019s PAV curriculum teaches people how to live together after unimaginable harm. It fosters emotional literacy, conflict resolution, critical thinking, and a deep sense of individual and collective responsibility. Forgiveness and reconciliation are key components as well. It also reflects a public health approach to violence, viewing it not only as a legal matter but as a preventable condition shaped by environment, history, and lived experience.<\/p>\n

MCW has long championed the idea that violence is a public health crisis driven by social, emotional, and structural factors. The PAV curriculum complements this framework by emphasizing early intervention, personal growth, and healing through education and dialogue.<\/p>\n

To deepen this exchange, delegations of Milwaukee-based hospital responders, violence interrupters, and medical professionals traveled to Rwanda in 2024 and 2025. As described in my previous blog posts, I had the privilege of joining the 2024 delegation as director of the Law School\u2019s Andrew Center for Restorative Justice, and I was able to listen, learn, and share insights about restorative justice. We were introduced to the PAV curriculum, visited reconciliation villages, witnessed dialogue between survivors and perpetrators, and saw firsthand how forgiveness and accountability can coexist. These experiences continue to shape how a number of us envision healing justice in Milwaukee.<\/p>\n

Circles of Preparation and Partnership<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Andrew Center for Restorative Justice believes that restorative justice is a deeply human approach to addressing harm\u2014an approach that fosters healing, strengthens relationships, and builds safer communities. Its core principles\u2014empathy, accountability, forgiveness, and reconciliation\u2014closely align with the values at the heart of the PAV curriculum. The Andrew Center is honored to support this important work by offering restorative justice education and consultation as a complementary tool for those seeking to bring the PAV curriculum vision to life across community and institutional settings.<\/p>\n

The week before the Rwandan delegation\u2019s arrival in Milwaukee last month, the Andrew Center hosted a restorative justice circle training, with participants including five violence interrupters from 414Life (a community- and hospital-based violence intervention program at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin), Marquette police officers, residence hall directors, and other community members, as well as several law school colleagues. The training provided tools to lead restorative circles in the participants\u2019 own contexts, creating space for storytelling, accountability, and relationship repair.<\/p>\n

\"Participants<\/p>\n

Participants from the Medical College of Wisconsin\u2019s 414Life Program, Marquette University Police Department, Marquette Residence Hall Directors, and community members engage in a restorative justice circle training hosted by the Andrew Center.<\/em><\/p>\n

The following week, the Rwandan delegation\u2019s visit marked a significant step forward. MCW, 414Life, Project Ujima, and other local partners worked alongside the delegation to begin co-developing a locally adapted version of the PAV curriculum. On the final day of their visit, the delegation joined us at Marquette Law School, where the Andrew Center hosted a public panel discussion and a documentary screening highlighting the growing partnership. Violence interrupters who had traveled to Rwanda shared powerful reflections about sitting in circle with genocide survivors and those who had caused harm\u2014testimonies that revealed the profound impact of the PAV curriculum, where truth-telling may open the door to forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing.<\/p>\n

\"Appolon<\/p>\n

Appolon Gajongayire, Education Manager at Aegis Trust. shares a powerful reflection on forgiveness during the gathering at Marquette Law School, illustrating how reconciliation can emerge even after profound harm.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"The<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Rwandan delegation and leaders from Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin join the Andrew Center to deepen cross-continental collaboration and co-develop a locally adapted Peace and Values curriculum.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Road Ahead: Healing by Design<\/strong><\/p>\n

This partnership\u2014linking Rwandan peacebuilders with Milwaukee\u2019s violence interrupters and peacemakers\u2014is more than a cultural exchange. It represents a unique way of thinking about how cities can respond to violence\u2014one that not only interrupts harm but addresses trauma, disconnection, and systemic injustice at their roots.<\/p>\n

By integrating peace education, restorative justice, and public health strategies, Milwaukee has a rare opportunity to adapt a proven international model to local conditions. Together, we are creating a framework that doesn\u2019t just disrupt cycles of violence, it can help prevent them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is the sixth and final in an occasional series of blog posts occasioned by a visit I made to Rwanda in the summer of 2024. The\u00a0first,\u00a0second,\u00a0third, fourth and fifth\u00a0can be found at the included links. The Roots of Violence: From Rwanda to Milwaukee In my second blog post, Putting a Face to the Harm\u2014Commemorating […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":290,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ocean_post_layout":"","ocean_both_sidebars_style":"","ocean_both_sidebars_content_width":0,"ocean_both_sidebars_sidebars_width":0,"ocean_sidebar":"","ocean_second_sidebar":"","ocean_disable_margins":"enable","ocean_add_body_class":"","ocean_shortcode_before_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_after_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_before_header":"","ocean_shortcode_after_header":"","ocean_has_shortcode":"","ocean_shortcode_after_title":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_bottom":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_bottom":"","ocean_display_top_bar":"default","ocean_display_header":"default","ocean_header_style":"","ocean_center_header_left_menu":"","ocean_custom_header_template":"","ocean_custom_logo":0,"ocean_custom_retina_logo":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_height":0,"ocean_header_custom_menu":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_family":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_subset":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_size":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_unit":"px","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_line_height":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_unit":"","ocean_menu_typo_spacing":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_unit":"","ocean_menu_link_color":"","ocean_menu_link_color_hover":"","ocean_menu_link_color_active":"","ocean_menu_link_background":"","ocean_menu_link_hover_background":"","ocean_menu_link_active_background":"","ocean_menu_social_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_links_color":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_disable_title":"default","ocean_disable_heading":"default","ocean_post_title":"","ocean_post_subheading":"","ocean_post_title_style":"","ocean_post_title_background_color":"","ocean_post_title_background":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_image_position":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_attachment":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_repeat":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_size":"","ocean_post_title_height":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay":0.5,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay_color":"","ocean_disable_breadcrumbs":"default","ocean_breadcrumbs_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_separator_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_hover_color":"","ocean_display_footer_widgets":"default","ocean_display_footer_bottom":"default","ocean_custom_footer_template":"","ocean_post_oembed":"","ocean_post_self_hosted_media":"","ocean_post_video_embed":"","ocean_link_format":"","ocean_link_format_target":"self","ocean_quote_format":"","ocean_quote_format_link":"post","ocean_gallery_link_images":"on","ocean_gallery_id":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[386,384],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31239","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-andrew-center","category-restorative-justice","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31239","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/290"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31239"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31239\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31245,"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31239\/revisions\/31245"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31239"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31239"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/facultyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}