Areas of Focus
Prompted by the devastation of the Rwandan genocide, iDebate envisions a society where differences are embraced and conflict is resolved without resorting to violence. Through debate, iDebate improves critical thinking and communication skills of secondary students, teaching youth how to disagree on public policy issues without treating your opponent as an enemy.
Co-Founder
Cohort Year
2021
Jean Michel Habineza was born and raised in Rwanda. For the past decade, he has been involved in the work of genocide prevention and reconciliation. He was one of the founders of Peace and Love Proclaimers, a youth organization aimed at creating change in Rwanda, and famous for being the creators of “Walk To Remember”, a commemorative walk that brings young people from all over the world to end mass atrocities. Jean Michel has also for the past few years worked as a Program Manager at Aegis Trust and is the founder of iDebate Rwanda, an organization that aims at advancing civil discourse in Rwanda and East Africa. iDebate currently works with 35 schools in Rwanda with the aim of working with 1000 schools by 2032. Jean Michel holds his Master’s in social Entrepreneurship and Change from Pepperdine University and BA in International Relations from Towson University.
Cohort Year
