Unit 10: National cohesion, identities and respect of human rights
Topic area: SOCIETYSub-topic area: Conflict transformationKey unit competence
Survey the factors affecting the national cohesion, identities in terms of culture, history and economical activities and respect of human rights.Introduction
Cohesion means coming together to form a united whole. It is achieved when individual or different elements stick together to form one whole unit.Identity is the quality that makes a person or a group of people different from others.They are the distinctive characteristics that distinguish an individual or a certain group of people and differentiate them from another group. People of the same identity are known for these characteristicsNational cohesion
Activity 10.1
In pairs, discuss and come up with an analysis of how national cohesion, identity and culture have influenced the respect for human rights in Rwanda. Later discuss the findings with your teacher in class and make sure you ask questions to under-stand the concept clearly.This is unity of people in a nation. National cohesion refers to a unified society that is composed of people from different backgrounds who have come together to achieve one common objective. National cohesion thrives when there is love and peace in the society.National cohesion is a made up of positive relations which link citizens of the same nation and compel them to respect each other and share the same country while observing the same rights.People’s sense of belonging to a particular nation strengthens national cohesion. It entitles one to human rights and at the same time demands that the citizen fulfills certain obligations such as living together harmoniously and participating in social activities.Certain factors that obstruct or kill national cohesion are such as ethnic hatred or discrimination, social divisions, religious conflicts, political divisions, racism and failure to embrace cultural diversity among others.National identity
National identity is a person’s sense of belonging to the nation that is their country. This sense is shared with other people who belong to the same country. People come together as a whole regardless of their various cultures, traditions, language and politics.National symbols create a sense of national identity. They include the national flag, national anthem, national emblem and national identification card.Sing our national anthem below.The Rwandan National Anthem
Rwanda nziza Gihugu cyacuWuje imisozi, ibiyaga n’ibirungaNgobyi iduhetse gahorane ishya.Reka tukurate tukuvuge ibigwiWowe utubumbiye hamwe tweseAbanyarwanda uko watubyayeBerwa, sugira, singizwa iteka.Horana Imana, murage mwizaIbyo tugukesha ntibishyikirwa;Umuco dusangiye uraturangaUrurimi rwacu rukaduhuzaUbwenge, umutima,amaboko yacuNibigukungahaze bikwiyeNuko utere imbere ubutitsa.Abakurambere b’intwariBitanze batizigamaBaraguhanga uvamo ubukombeUtsinda ubukoroni na mpatsibihugu Byayogoje Afurika yoseNone uraganje mu bwigengeTubukomeyeho uko turi twese.Komeza imihigo Rwanda dukundaDuhagurukiye kukwitangiraNgo amahoro asabe mu bagutuyeWishyire wizane muri byoseUrangwe n’ishyaka, utere imbereUhamye umubano n’amahanga yoseMaze ijabo ryawe riguhe ijambo.Culture
Culture is the characteristic and the way of living of a particular group of people that distinguishes them from another group. It comprises customs, beliefs, language, material objects such as houses and clothing, religion and art among many others. As Rwandans, we have activities that our national culture ; ie the umuganda the monthly day of participation in public service
Factors that promote national cohesion, culture and identity
Activity 10.2
Form groups of five and research on factors that promote national cohesion and identity. Write a group essay based on your findings and present it to your teacher for marking.
• Peace is an important factor for national cohesion and identity. Peace thrives when people choose to embrace each other and live together despite their differences. When there is no peace, dialogue can be used to restore it.
• Justice. This means maintaining the administration of law. Nobody is above the law in the presence of justice. Everybody respects the fundamental rights of fellow citizens.
• Good governance. It is a process of making and implementing decisions. This promotes cohesion and identity when citizens are allowed to participate and contribute in the decision-making process and their views put into consideration.
• Equality and fairness. This involves treating all people equally and being fair while rewarding them. All people should be treated fairly based on merit and competence in education, employment and in distribution of national resources.
• Gender equality with the aim of giving women and men the same rights in the economic, social and political domains.
• National symbols such as the national flag, national anthem, national emblem and national motto.
• The national language
• National territory marked by national boarders
• Values of the national culture
• Existence of national institutions for unity and reconciliation, for example, National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC). This commission was created in March 2009 and mandated to promote unity and reconciliation among Rwandans in the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
How national cohesion, identity and culture have influenced the respect of human rights
Activity 10.3
In groups of five;
1. Find out how the national cohesion, identity and culture have influenced the respect of human rights in the Rwandan constitution.
2. Write down your points.
3. Present them in a class discussion.
• They influence the sense of fairness and inclusion in a society. This brings respect for Human Rights.
• National cohesion, identity and culture discourage discrimination in the society. When there is national cohesion, diverse aspects such as gender, ethnicity, culture and religion among others are brought together and exist without exclusion. This ensures respect for human rights.
• National cohesion and identity bring respect for national laws and institutions. These laws and institutions value and uphold human rights, therefore, people observe them. These laws are such as the constitution and institutions such as law courts and National Unity and Reconciliation Commission of Rwanda NURC).
• Respect for cultural diversity brings people together and they embrace each other regardless of their various cultures. People respect each other’s rights and this prevents conflicts.
• National cohesion, identity and culture breed peace. When there is peace, people live in harmony respecting each other’s rights. Peaceful people value human dignity even in conflicts.
• Citizens are encouraged to express their thoughts and opinions freely. All of these are put into consideration while formulating national policies.
Unit summary
The unit gives clarifications on the concepts of identity, cohesion, national cohesion, national identity and culture and their respective roles in the society. It also discusses the factors that promote national cohesion, culture and identity and the manner that they have influenced the respect of human rights in the context of Rwanda especially after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi for the promotion of unity.Identity entails the distinctive characteristics that distinguish an individual or a certain group of people and differentiate them from another group. National cohesion thrives when there is love and peace in the society.National identity brings people together as one, regardless of their various cultures, traditions, language and politics.A culture of a people comprises their customs, beliefs, language, material objects such as houses and clothing, religion and art among many others.
Unit assessment
At the end of this unit, a learner is able to survey the factors affecting the national cohesion, identities in terms of culture, history and economic activities and respect of human rights.
Revision questions
1. Define the following terms:
i) National cohesion
ii) National identity
2. Discuss factors that promote national cohesion and identity.
3. Explain the roles of national cohesion and national identity in the promotion of human rights.