War of the Words

This study focuses on the way societies influence historical memory of conflict within their borders through the formal education system. It posits that the narratives constructed within educational materials have the capacity to affect peacebuilding efforts in both positive and negative ways. Using the case study of Rwanda, it analyses the narratives found in the most recent collection of secondary school history textbooks to identify elements of the narrative that either support peacebuilding efforts or detract from them. This case study shows that the same narrative or set of narratives about a conflict can contain both elements. It posits that as decision makers balance needs for what educational materials should achieve, including requirements that may limit the efficacy of peacebuilding efforts, international advisors should be knowledgeable of and sensitive to these needs in order to identify solutions that minimise negative impacts on reconciliation.We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Vahabzadeh Foundation for financially supporting the publication of best works by young researchers of the Graduate Institute, giving a priority to those who have been awarded academic prizes for their master’s dissertations.