Theogene Niwenshuti

Rwanda

Théogène Niwenshuti is a multidisciplinary Artist, Peace Activist, Consultant in Communication and Arts for Development. He is among personalities who contributed to a newly launched book by CEPS (Centre d’Etudes et de Prospectives Strategiques), a Europe based International Organization. Entitled Africa Land of Talents and the Future (Afrique, terre de Talents et d’Avenir), the book is prefaced by the Nobel Peace Prize Rev. Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Théogène has been awarded and achieved medals like the Rector Excellence Award for Best Innovator 2009, University Award for Best Artist and Promoter of Art and Culture 2007, twice nominated for The Bishop Desmond Tutu Fellowship, three times for the Freedom to Create Prize, etc. He’s the Coordinator of the “Great Lakes Peace Campaign-Oya-”, inspired by his song “OYA” Ntibikongere which means NO, Never Again.

For over 20 years, he led or participated in campaigns and festivals in Africa and Europe, interacting with youth and adults from different corners of the Globe. He dreams of working for or implementing a Center, School, NGO, or Platform/Festival based on “Ubuntu”. He’ll promote collaborations, more human professional interventions and management in Africa. He wants to complete a PhD, keep researching, teaching, publishing to impact lives positively.

In 2010, after presenting a paper at the DFL Africa Research Conference he met DFL friends and researchers who are contributing to his Postgraduate experience. He reveals:“Being part of such a creative and internationally recognized academic space is one of amazing things that happened to me lately; a big step in my commitment to contribute to a better Africa and the World. I’m grateful to everyone behind it and God! I’ll gain more tools, increased intellectual, social, moral and entrepreneurial capacity to inspire, facilitate, and assist more communities”.

Research papers presented in 2010 and 2011:
1/ Can Arts heal trauma? Arts & Trauma healing: A journey through individual and collective narrative from troubled times. Uber(W)unden-Art in Troubled Times.
2/Dance as a communication tool to address inter-generational trauma for a healthier
psycho-social environment in Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region of Africa

Current research/Long essay:
MAT OPUT: ritual performance for healing and conflict resolution in the war affected region of Northern Uganda.