The authors discuss the transformation in civic education in Rwanda. Before the arrival of the colonizers, Rwanda had traditions in education and uniting societies. Colonialism destroyed the educational system and divided the society. The re-introduction of the traditional system has been also explored – the example of the Itorero program and its impact on the unity and reconciliation efforts of the government – on the basis of various conducted studies. The main aspects that are taken into account in this study include: the significance of civic education, the Itorero program and the best predictors of success, and the role of civic education in promoting the well-being of communities and nations. The authors not only analyze the functioning of the Itorero institution, but also aim to seek answers to the questions of whether and to what extent the Itorero program affects civic education and to what extent it is an effective tool for uniting the Rwandan society.

This paper examines various analyses of the relationship between citizenship and rights, drawing on the work of T H Marshal, Karl Vasak and John Urry, and relates these to citizenship education. It is argued that citizenship can be defined around conceptions of human rights, and that these have developed in civil, political and social phases. Rights are consequent on membership of a community, but we have seen, particularly in the development of the European Union, a decoupling of rights from territory. As we have multiple identities, we also may have multiple citizenships. The paper moves to analyse how communities are constructed, and identifies iconic, symbolic and enactive aspects in the formation of a community. Relating these to citizenship education, it is argued that Jerome Bruner’s model of learning is particularly appropriate. While citizenship education has traditionally focused on the iconic and symbolic, it is necessary for young people to engage inactively with citizenship in order to learn civic participation, and such active learning is best focussed on the extension of human rights into new domains.