Ethics Lecture with Carl Wilkens

"Neighbors Again—Healing, Belonging, And Resilience after the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi"
Carl Wilkens
Thursday, Oct. 22, 7 p.m.
Viterbo Fine Arts Center Main Theatre

In this moving and thought-provoking presentation, Carl Wilkens shares firsthand stories from Rwanda before, during, and after the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi. As the only American who chose to remain in Kigali throughout the genocide, Wilkens witnessed both the depths of human cruelty and extraordinary acts of courage, compassion, and solidarity. Drawing on his experiences working alongside Rwandan colleagues to protect vulnerable children and families, he explores what it means to rebuild trust after unimaginable violence. Through powerful storytelling and lessons from Rwanda’s remarkable recovery, audiences are challenged to examine belonging, empathy, and their own capacity to bridge divides in their communities.